Resolution Ranch Academy

About Resolution Ranch Academy

Scott McGarrahan, a former NFL player, founded Resolution Ranch Academy, a 500 acre horse ranch and therapeutic boarding school for troubled boys aged 13 to 17. It’s located just over an hour from Austin in Cameron, Texas, a small town of around 5,000 people, known for its well-preserved historic homes and buildings. The facility provides a structured, supervised, and supportive environment for teens who are suffering from self-harming behaviors such as drug use, defiance, low self-esteem, anger, and a lack of motivation. Boys learn to live and work well with others while taking part in multiple therapeutic and educational offerings, including equine-assisted therapy, clinical counseling, and mentorship. Residents also complete standard school coursework during their six to nine month stay.

The program is based on the “R.A.N.C.H.” philosophy which stands for “recovery and academics through nature, counseling and healing.” The structure is similar to that you’ll find in many alcohol and drug rehab programs and involves five steps. All boys start in the first, introductory level as “ranch hands” while they get their bearings. They then progress to “cattlemen,” at which point they work with therapists and teachers to identify their goals. Once students prove they’re capable of making wise, responsible decisions they advance to “ropers” and take part in more in depth therapy. The next step is “wranglers” where students work on mending fences with family members and others they’ve been at odds with in the past. Finally boys become “cowboys” and work on establishing their path forward.

Working through the steps requires earnest self reflection, responsibility and accountability. Before boys can graduate to the next level, they have to determine they are ready and prove their preparedness to staff and peers.

Many family members and former residents say that, while the program can be extremely challenging, it is effective. Many praise the staff and say they seem to genuinely care for the students.

Latest Reviews

Big Bank

2 months ago on Google

1

Yo they locked my boy in here for 6 months for smoking weed????? This people are insane and ruining a children's life. Outrageous......

Anonymous

2 months ago on Google

1

PLEASE READ THIS TO THE END. PLEASE.I pray anyone who think about sending their child here sees this and considers what I have to say, I am advocating for the protection of your children. As someone who was here for 7 months as a kid, I implore you to find a different place. I have never in my life been treated so horribly and unfairly than at this place. They straight up told me that telling or reporting anything negative that occurred here to my parents was "manipulation" and that they'd put me on "work detail" for several DAYS if I reported any mistreatment. Think critically. Why would there be so many reports from past children who went here reporting extreme abuse and neglect they suffered here, many of the reports saying the same thing. Think about it, every time a 1 star review happens, multiple 5 star reviews happen. It could be a cover up, with fake accounts.

Travis Johnson

3 months ago on Google

5

Sending our son to Resolution Ranch was really hard, but it was absolutely the right decision.We were struggling, and he was struggling.He finally found the support and understanding he needed.The therapists and staff truly cared about him as an individual.We saw him grow in confidence and self-awareness during his time there.It wasn't easy, but Resolution Ranch gave him and our family a second chance.We are forever grateful. A special thank you to Scott for creating a special place.

Response from the owner2 months ago

Thank you for sharing.

Rehab Score

Our Methodology

Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology

6.5 / 10

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Location

Other Forms of Payment

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.

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.

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

Outpatient

After completing some form of inpatient care, many clients transition or step down to an outpatient rehab, while some choose to transition from detox directly into outpatient care. High-intensity outpatient programming, including partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) is widely available for clients in early recovery, those leaving detox, and those at an elevated relapse risk. Clients in outpatient care generally engage in robust addiction counseling and recovery education, and some also receive medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Inpatient

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.

Aftercare Support

Rehab aftercare programs are based on a model of continuing care and the premise that recovery is a life-long process requiring ongoing client support. Many rehab aftercare services include outpatient care, but clients often continue to receive support after being discharged from formal treatment. Case managers and care teams typically collaborate with clients to design their long-term care plan, which may include peer coaching, career counseling, and 12 step program induction, among other services.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

During rehab in Texas, you'll deal with underlying issues that contribute to addiction. By addressing these challenges and learning healthy ways to cope with them, you'll develop strategies that help you live a drug-free lifestyle.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

Adult Program

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.

Clinical Services

Creativity is inherently healing, and can help those in recovery express thoughts or feelings they might not otherwise be able to. Creative arts therapy can include music, poetry/writing, painting, sculpting, dance, theater, sandplay, and more. Unlike traditional art, the final product matters far less than the experience of creation and expression itself.

Equine therapy, aka equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions and activities with horses. It does not necessarily involve riding horses, but all activities related to horses, such as feeding, grooming, haltering and leading them. A mental health professional frequently oversees the activities (often in conjunction with a horse professional), and helps patients process their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns during and/or after the interaction.

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.

Fitness therapy blends exercise with psychotherapy for a fun, inspiring, and effective way of treating addiction and other issues. By incorporating movement into counseling sessions, clients become more empowered, motivated, and goal-oriented, all while strengthening their bodies and becoming more flexible. Fitness Therapy is usually used to complement a course of treatment (inpatient or outpatient) to make it even more successful. Increasing the connection between a patient’s mind and body helps both with healing as well as in creating new, healthy habits.

Group 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.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.