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Sorenson’s Ranch School

410 North 100 East Koosharem, UT 84744
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Sorensons Ranch School UT 84744

About Sorenson’s Ranch School

Sorenson’s Ranch School, located in Koosharem, Utah is a private alcohol and drug rehab that offers treatment for a variety of substance abuse addictions including alcoholism, co-occurring mental health disorders, and opiate addiction. They offer residential care providing long term support for addiction recovery. Additional levels of care offered include relapse prevention and 12-step therapy.

Specialty rehab programs at Sorenson’s Ranch School include tailored care focusing on women’s specific needs and experiences, gender-specific addiction treatment addressing unique challenges faced by men, and age-appropriate treatment for teens addressing adolescent-specific issues.

Sorenson’s Ranch School has received accreditations from The Joint Commission and SAMHSA.

Latest Reviews

kelly alliegro
2 months ago on Google
1
Former student. It s interesting, because I recognize many of the 5 star reviews as staff member / family names . No matter here is some insight from my experience.I was troubled youth . Criminal history along with other unglamorous, self destructive behaviors. I was transported straight from juvenile detention (Louisiana) to SRS with no knowledge of where I was being taken. When I arrived to a Utah winter I was completely unprepared with little clothing and no shoes. I walked barefoot in the snow until someone found me a pair (several sizes too large) that I could borrow until I could afford my own from the commissary (took several weeks).I was often in trouble and experienced nearly ALL of the strange and sometimes brutal reprimands that this place had to offer. A great example is a memory that is seared into my brain forever. Myself and another student (love you Charlotte) in orange jumpsuits with no clothes underneath (flight risk) in sub zero weather curled up together in a 30 gallon black trash bag to try and stay warm through the night. Both giggling and trying to make the best of it. The food that was brought out to where we were being kept, froze in transit so we didn t eat that day. It seemed funny at the time.Other unique treatment methods at SRS include (but not limited too):- The fence - The bucket (another form of solitary confinement)- Hiking a 10 mile speed walk on a dirt road alongside a truck in single file. Yes. My feet bled. No. I was not allowed to sit in the truck for a while.- Picking rocks -Sexual relations between students and staff members. (This is not a speculation. This is based on actual events).-Medicating. If you were clever, you would cheek your meds so you didn t have to take them. The list is extensive.For the sake of space, I ll spare the details of the nearly two year stretch I spent surviving this nightmare. I just want to leave you with this one take away. It s been two decades since I attended this facility. I still think back on some of my experiences and cannot believe that they were real. I m and adult now with a daughter of my own. When I look at her and imagine her having to endure some of the things we went through here . My emotions spike somewhere between heart ache and RAGE.This program was designed to capitalize on your family s pain. It is NOT designed to help heal/repair your loved one or your family . This is NOT an affective program and even less so, a place for someone you love. Find God for your troubled family and keep them the he11 out of here.
Gayle Hoehl
3 months ago on Google
5
After a hard decision, I sent my son to SRS in 2020, 4 years ago. It changed his life for the better. It took him 2 years, but he did it. Was he 100% different, no, probably 80%, it's a work in progress. Your entire life you will work on your skills with your mental illness and behaviors, but he definitely came home so much better then when he left our family. Life was so much better, and we were able to have a relationship that we haven't had before and the sibling were too. The therapist was fantastic. He even did family therapy with one of the siblings at home that was having the most trouble with my son. He had a genuine interest in the entire family and having them be able to all work together. The entire staff at Sorenson's was wonderful and caring. His case manager would call weekly and update me with what was going on. They made sure he always had doctor and dentist appointments made when needed. If he was ever hurt, they would notify me and take him to the doctors. His favorite things were the campouts and the horses. Yes, you did have to earn them through your levels, which meant you needed to do your work and stay on task with your program. And if you weren't or got in trouble, you lost your points, and you started working on yourself again to earn them back. Things are a privilege and you learn that and you work for them. Yes there we're some people that may have been rougher than they needed to be with the kids but the kids figured out, don't misbehave, Get yourself in gear. My son made great friends while he was there. He even moved back and went to college in the area and was room mates with one of them. He also went back and wanted to work there to help the kids out, but wasn't old enough. Unfortunately almost a year after he graduated he was killed in a car accident. Some of the boys (friends) from the school came to his service, I didn't even know about them, and they shared wonderful stories about their experiences at the school with me. Some of them check in with me online just to see how I'm doing. There's a lot more good things that came out of the school then bad I can say. I highly recommend Sorensons Ranch School.
Douglas Batt
3 months ago on Google
5
I can't wait to get back there. Best time of my life.
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6.8 / 10

Location

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.

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

inpatient iconInpatient
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.
12-step icon12-Step
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
aftercare iconAftercare Support
Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

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.

When you enter a drug rehab in Utah, the process usually involves four stages: treatment initiation, early abstinence, maintaining abstinence, and advanced recovery. Treatment methods can rely on medications, counseling, or both, in either an outpatient or inpatient setting.

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.

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

lgbtq-program thumbnail image
LGBTQ Program
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

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.

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.

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.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT) is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy meant to be short-term and comprehensive. It was intended to help clients become more self-sufficent and move forward without the need for expensive, ongoing therapy. It includes an emotional self-help method called “rational self-counseling,” the purpose of which is to give clients all the skills needed to handle future emotional issues by themselves, or with significantly less professional help.

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.

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Jill Sorenson

CEO

Stone Sorenson

COO

Layne Bagley

Program Director

Mindy Talbot

Facilities Director

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

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.

SAMHSA Listed: Yes

Contact Information

Phone icon (888) 830-4802
Building icon

410 North 100 East
Koosharem, UT 84744

Rehab in Cities Near Koosharem

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Reviews of Sorenson’s Ranch School

2.92/5 (101 reviews)
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Reviews

5

Not only did they save my life in this place, but they gave me the opportunity to be a productive member of society, thanks to them I now have a decent job, they helped me find happiness, I enjoy my life with my wife and children, I owe them my life.

Reviewed on 3/7/2019
Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

2.9 (100 reviews)
Jackie L. Mathiesen
1 month ago
5

I have to disagree with some of the latest post. I attended sorensons for a long period of time. Not only did I benefit from the expertise from the many qualified staff. I can tell you first hand that while I was there for 4 years, I did not experience any abuse. Quite the opposite actually, I finally found people who listened to me, people who showed me tough love. I truly believe that was the best thing to happen in my life and Im still in contact with the staff there and it’s been years. Alot of the staff there take a personal intrest in the students. I know I could call Grandma, Jill or Layne if I ever needed anything and they would help. All I can say some of the kids DONT want help.. or to change.. coming from a child whom suffered a lot of physical abuse before getting to the ranch, the consequences they issued like mucking stalls and doing workouts built my character and weren’t abusive, and I’m beyond grateful for this place.

Jon
1 month ago
1

I went there from 97-99. Fn nightmare

Ben Arnott
2 months ago
1

I think it's funny that 95 percent of these five star reviews are from staff members or friends of the owners. This place helps you with the problems you show up with but you leave with a whole new set of them. The pressure to be perfect to keep your level was WAY too much for some people and some of the staff had Way worse tempers than some of the students attending! The staff where super unqualified to help some of the sensitive kids and told us we had no wrights. They would use us for manual labor that didn't relate to the ranch. We got punished for anything the staff deemed "not appropriate" such as taking a shirt off while swimming. The school was decent. So think twice before you send your kid here! Past student 2022-2024

kelly alliegro
2 months ago
1

Former student. It’s interesting, because I recognize many of the 5 star reviews as staff member / family names🤔. No matter… here is some insight from my experience. I was “troubled youth”. Criminal history along with other unglamorous, self destructive behaviors. I was transported straight from juvenile detention (Louisiana) to SRS with no knowledge of where I was being taken. When I arrived to a Utah winter I was completely unprepared with little clothing and no shoes. I walked barefoot in the snow until someone found me a pair (several sizes too large) that I could borrow until I could afford my own from the commissary (took several weeks). I was often in trouble and experienced nearly ALL of the strange and sometimes brutal reprimands that this place had to offer. A great example is a memory that is seared into my brain forever. Myself and another student (love you Charlotte) in orange jumpsuits with no clothes underneath (flight risk) in sub zero weather… curled up together in a 30 gallon black trash bag to try and stay warm through the night. Both giggling and trying to make the best of it. The food that was brought out to where we were being kept, froze in transit so we didn’t eat that day. It seemed funny at the time. Other unique treatment methods at SRS include (but not limited too): - “The fence” -“The bucket” (another form of solitary confinement) -“Hiking” a 10 mile speed walk on a dirt road alongside a truck in single file. Yes. My feet bled. No. I was not allowed to sit in the truck for a while. -“Picking rocks” -Sexual relations between students and staff members. (This is not a speculation. This is based on actual events). -Medicating. If you were clever, you would “cheek” your meds so you didn’t have to take them. …The list is extensive. For the sake of space, I’ll spare the details of the nearly two year stretch I spent surviving this nightmare. I just want to leave you with this one take away. It’s been two decades since I attended this facility. I still think back on some of my experiences and cannot believe that they were real. I’m and adult now with a daughter of my own. When I look at her and imagine her having to endure some of the things we went through here…. My emotions spike somewhere between heart ache and RAGE. This program was designed to capitalize on your family’s pain. It is NOT designed to help heal/repair your loved one or your family . This is NOT an affective program and even less so, a place for someone you love. Find God for your troubled family and keep them the he11 out of here.

Gayle Hoehl
3 months ago
5

After a hard decision, I sent my son to SRS in 2020, 4 years ago. It changed his life for the better. It took him 2 years, but he did it. Was he 100% different, no, probably 80%, it's a work in progress. Your entire life you will work on your skills with your mental illness and behaviors, but he definitely came home so much better then when he left our family. Life was so much better, and we were able to have a relationship that we haven't had before and the sibling were too. The therapist was fantastic. He even did family therapy with one of the siblings at home that was having the most trouble with my son. He had a genuine interest in the entire family and having them be able to all work together. The entire staff at Sorenson's was wonderful and caring. His case manager would call weekly and update me with what was going on. They made sure he always had doctor and dentist appointments made when needed. If he was ever hurt, they would notify me and take him to the doctors. His favorite things were the campouts and the horses. Yes, you did have to earn them through your levels, which meant you needed to do your work and stay on task with your program. And if you weren't or got in trouble, you lost your points, and you started working on yourself again to earn them back. Things are a privilege and you learn that and you work for them. Yes there we're some people that may have been rougher than they needed to be with the kids but the kids figured out, don't misbehave, Get yourself in gear. My son made great friends while he was there. He even moved back and went to college in the area and was room mates with one of them. He also went back and wanted to work there to help the kids out, but wasn't old enough. Unfortunately almost a year after he graduated he was killed in a car accident. Some of the boys (friends) from the school came to his service, I didn't even know about them, and they shared wonderful stories about their experiences at the school with me. Some of them check in with me online just to see how I'm doing. There's a lot more good things that came out of the school then bad I can say. I highly recommend Sorensons Ranch School.

Douglas Batt
3 months ago
5

I can't wait to get back there. Best time of my life.

Olivia
8 months ago
1

Gabriel Seale
8 months ago
1

I went here from 94 to 95. Court ordered. This place is no place for children. I won't mention names. But the physical workouts on the weekends were incredibly brutal for some kids. I remind you any form of discipline which consists if squats, push ups, or any repetitive physical activity is against the Utah code of conduct. While I agree discipline is needed. What I witnessed far exceeded what would be considered normal. Kids left on the "fence" during winter storms. Only with a blanket sometimes forced to sleep on the fence with a sleeping bag. Absolutely ridiculous. I saw staff members push kids to harm other kids when they couldn't keep up with us in the workouts , some of these kids had developed mental disorders. I strongly caution any parents thinking of sending their children here. I will say there were staff there that cared and didn't agree with the abuse. Thank God.

jewell colepatterson
9 months ago
1

Sorenson's ranch did me wrong. Did everyone wrong. There are a lot of staff that actually take pride by controlling the students, making them feel pain, and yelling in their face. So if you ever think about sending your kid to Sorenson's ranch think twice. I attended Sorensons ranch school for over a year and I don’t even know where to begin when speaking upon this subject. I was forced to go to mountain camp. They took my pants, my socks, and said I wasn’t allowed to have a jacket. They gave me a wet sleeping bag my first night. They would pour water on face to wake me up. They would put people on PBI (Positive Behavior Intervention) make us shovel horse dookie all day and if u don’t finish you have to do it again the next day even if it’s frozen. The state said that PBI was no longer allowed but yet still continued to do it (said the same thing about mountain camp). When state would come they would take the kids off PBI and let them go back to school. However when the state would leave they would them back on PBI. Sending a child to a place where the staff make the students do their dirty disgusting revolting work for them is no place for child. If you want your kids to be helped don’t send them to sorensons ranch, that will only make them worse. But hold on let’s not forget about the psychiatrist. I was put on medication I didn’t even need and literally zombified me. I went on a visit with my mom and she told me I can have any cookies that I want off the shelf. I started at that shelf for 25 minutes straight tryna figure out what kinda cookies I want. She looked at me in disbelief and felt so much pain bc her own daughter was put on medication for things I didn’t even have. READ THE REVIEWS BEFORE YOU MAKE THE CHOICE!!‼️‼️

Enrique Gonzalez
10 months ago
1

Bruh I WISH I can give no stars, this place has more cons than pros I get why you would send your kids to get help but this program isn't the right program too it causes stress trauma and pain to the child and some kids can't really take it which can be more harmful than helpful for them for there future. I think it helped me because it numb me I was very unhappy there it gets you really depressed kids over there. Kids that didn't have any emotional issues started getting issues because of all the stress they were going through at the program, the program is more focused on getting money from you so they try to keep you for a amount of time and when your in your last month they actually notice you and act like they care, so your more of a schedule than a person and also not all the staff but some of the staff were very power hungry and how there been reports of sexual abuse and emotional abuse, I relate to most of it but it's in the past but I can keep going all day of why this place sucks but do your research and look for better options for your child 😔.(past student 2022-2024)

Brooke Silfies
1 year ago
5

they broke my arm lmao thanks boo

Carrie E.
1 year ago
1

I went to school here in 96-97 and it was.. quite an experience to say the least. There were very few staff that seemed to actually care about the kids. Beverly was my counselor and she was very kind and actually cared about me. Melinda Torgerson was my choir teacher who I ended up being able to move into her house with. She was like a mom to me and I’ll always remember her kindness. Her family took me in and treated me like one of their own. As far as most of the other staff.. let’s just say I saw a lot of very cruel things take place. I even had one of the female staff members make up a lie about me which got me in trouble so Tom Baldwin made an example of me for something I didn’t even do. I definitely wasn’t a saint, but I also wasn’t liar. Right after I turned 18, the day before I went home, I told Tom that I really was telling the truth and he called me a liar again and told me he didn’t care. If you’re a parent thinking about sending your kid here, please think long and hard about it. It’s been 27 years since I left that place and I still have bad dreams about it.

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