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I don’t remember it being like any of these reviews. I saw things I never would’ve seen if I had not been placed there. The town of Jerome, the copper mines, we saw the Grand Canyon at least 6 times when I was there. The staff Ms. Burgess taught me to crochet. When I st ...
About Mingus Mountain Academy
The program uses something called the Sanctuary Model. It’s a model of treatment that is based on trauma responsive care, designed to help girls feel safe as they heal. Clients benefit from many different types of treatment like group therapy, outdoor recreation therapy, and even the center’s unique equine therapy program which has horses and miniature donkeys on site.
Don’t worry about your daughter falling behind on school work while she gets treatment. They have a fully functional education program that follows a strong high school curriculum. They even offer some college courses too so clients can earn college credit early, and they have a student government organization called the Mountain Lions Club.
The team here isn’t just focused on addiction recovery though. They want to set your daughter up for a bright future. That’s why they teach some job skills and life skills during the program, and clients can even earn their safe serve certification while working at the center’s cafeteria. They also have two therapeutic group homes to help with the transition out of treatment and a scholarship program to help clients pay for college.
The cherry on top of it all is that they are accredited by the Joint Commission – a high honor among rehabs. Between this and the well rounded program, clients and their families have loved this youth rehab.
Fact checked and written by:
Nikki Wisher, BA
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
Facility Overview
1 - 4 Avg Length of Stay in Days
Latest Reviews
Brighter Path/Sequel: In 2021, the company’s founder, Jay Ripley, diveded and renamed it "Vivant Behavioral Health", and"Brighter Path" in an attempt to save his disgraced business by diverting public and government attention away from Sequel’s reputation for putting profits above the proper care and treatment of children.
in 1999, there was only one facility, but by 2017, Sequel had acquired another 11 facilities and numerous reports had appeared in the media regarding violence, sexual abuse and child abuse, as well as a wrongful death lawsuit.
At its peak,(2018-2020), the company owned and operated more than 40 for-profit behavioral health facilities and programs for adults and children in 20 states and had revenues of $254 million.
But by mid-2021, nearly half of Sequel’s residential treatment and juvenile justice facilities had closed, mainly due to repeated reports of neglect/abuse. The majority of these closures followed the 2020 restraint-related death of 16-year-old Cornelius Frederick at Sequel’s Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Three Lakeside employees were subsequently charged with felony child abuse and manslaughter. After this, the name “Sequel Youth & Family Services” became associated with child abuse/neglect/death.
Meanwhile, Jay Ripley was attempting to salvage his business. In April 2021, he had already registered Vivant in Delaware and Kentucky. During September 2021, he registered it in Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, and Nevada.
In an effort to obscure the Sequel connection, there is no website or other online presence for Vivant Behavioral Health, thus no easy way for the public to find out which facilities are theirs or how many the company owns.
Webpages for former Sequel facilities, such as Mingus Mountain Academy in Prescott Valley, Arizona, now appear online minus any Sequel (or Vivant) branding.
Former Sequel facilities in Alabama are now branded as “Brighter Path.”
In June 2022, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice closed Vivant’s Charles Britt Academy in St. Petersburg, following the arrest of two employees on charges of child abuse.
I was here when I was 14 years old I was here for about 1 year and a couple months. Let me tell you if you love your kid don not send them here! The staff use there power to restrain kids and hurt them not help them they had awful rules if u got a friend they would put you on no contact so u can feel alone. When I was there there were staff having inappropriate relationships with the minors! I was Harare’s by a staff member when I got out they tried to continue the harassment! The therapy sucks if u even get it once a week they got the horses u don’t even really get to ride the group homes are alright even then u are treated like a prisoner don’t send your kid here I was not better by the end
It's not a good place to send your kids
Rehab Score
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Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Many clients who enroll in an outpatient rehab program are exiting intensive inpatient care and no longer require such high-level clinical supervision. Outpatient programs typically follow a step-down structure, with treatment frequency and intensity decreasing as clients progress in their recovery journey. Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) levels of care are the most time-intensive and are designed primarily for clients who have just left inpatient treatment or who are at an elevated risk of relapse.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
The initial phase of recovery treatment typically includes 24-hour clinical care in Arizona. This constant supervision ensures a safe detox process, which helps the individual physically stabilize from substance use. Patients will receive medications to curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as well as other necessary medical treatment. This period typically lasts up to a week, then the individual will receive medical clearance to begin inpatient or outpatient rehab.
Treatments
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Equine TherapyGroup therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
The goal of motivational interviewing in Arizona is to enhance your confidence in your ability to make changes in your life. It encourages you to commit to change and plan for the process of making those changes that will allow you to reach your goals.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Developing life skills is an important piece of addiction recovery treatment. These skills help you succeed in day to day tasks and live a healthy, independent life. They include communication, critical thinking, problem solving, self control, and resilience.
Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.
Many holistic centers incorporate recreational therapy into addiction treatment to offer you a chance to rediscover joy in movement and motion and build social connections. Activities can include dance, group games, and yoga, which all help improve mental health, reduce stress, and develop positive lifestyle habits. These holistic approaches help sustain long term recovery.
Amenities
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Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
15801 East Don Carlos Drive
Prescott Valley, AZ 86315
Get Help Now - 928-362-4304
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