White River Academy is compromised to mentor boys in order for them to become strong and good men. They will achieve this goal through a spectrum of psychological and behavioral treatment programs that will provide the essential tools for boys to begin this journey.
When a student enrolls at White River Academy, he is provided a structured environment and an individualized educational program . At White River Academy, each young man learns to understand and control his emotions, impulses and actions. Personal perspectives mature as he recognizes his ability to deal with emotional pain
Our Methodology
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.
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.
Inpatient 
24-Hour Clinical Care 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.
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. Using this method, adolescents learn about the connection between distorted thoughts and how they affect daily decisions.
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.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
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.
Recreational therapy (aka therapeutic recreation) uses creative and fun activities to help with addiction recovery. Recreational therapists lead patients in entertaining and engaging activities like sports or games; art (drawing, painting, sculpture); drama, music, and dance; and/or community outings (field trips) to improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Private Setting 
Executive Program Director
Program Director
Clinical Director
Admissions Coordinator
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
275 West 100 South
Delta, UT 84624
Sponsored Helpline
Back to UT
As a parent, entrusting someone else with my child—especially during his most vulnerable and difficult time—was one of the hardest decisions my family has ever made. Sending my son to White River Academy was not something our family took lightly, but I can honestly say i ...
White river is a terrible place were your surrounded by people who will manipulate and abuse you. I was there for 12 months and didn't help with anything. I got kicked out and continued using for another year. Terrible place parents if you reading thus please don't send you ...
Full of people that cared about me and helped me achieve my goals, there are some changes now from when I went but it is important to embrace the changes and not let failure get into your head because every step of the way is earned not given.
White River Academy gave our family something we hadn’t felt in a long time: calm. The campus is in Delta, and that quieter setting let our son breathe while still being held to consistent expectations. The combination of therapy, experiential learning, and community accountability built confidence, not just compliance. We saw more integrity in his choices, which is what we were hoping for.
We didn’t want a boot camp. We needed a residential treatment center for troubled youth that would treat the reasons behind the behavior. WRA focused on underlying issues, trauma, anxiety, compulsive habits and paired therapy with routines like service projects and creative/active therapy. It felt like healing with purpose, not punishment.
Pire que HH
Our decision to enroll at White River Academy in Utah came after too many short-term fixes. What made the difference: a structured, safe environment with individualized treatment, academic support, and daily chances to practice new skills with peers. The balance of therapy, school, and service gave our son momentum that carried home with him.
WRA provided the structure and the care that our son needed to function in a family. WRA staff built connections with our son and were responsive to our questions throughout his time there. We are particularly grateful for the patient and effective work of our son’s therapist. At times, the logistical support for the final steps in program completion was less than we would have liked. We’re grateful for the healing that WRA helped to cultivate in our son and for our family.
I didn’t realize how much a residential program for troubled youth could do beyond therapy. Our teen had group and individual work, yes but also experiential therapy that got him moving, and community service that re-anchored his values. That combination turned into habits.
What stood out at White River Academy was how personal everything felt. They didn’t force our son into a one-size plan. They tailored the approach and kept expectations clear. The positive peer culture helped him accept feedback without melting down, and he kept up with school instead of falling behind. We saw steady, real-world growth.
White River Academy in Delta, Utah is a place of real change and growth. They follow the “Developmental Vacation” developed by Dr. Daniel Sanderson which is a period of stepping away from old habits, distractions, and negative cycles to focus on personal growth and development. The Academy provides young men with that same opportunity: a chance to pause, reset, and rebuild themselves in a safe and supportive environment. The staff not only offer structure and accountability but also show genuine care, helping each student uncover their strengths and work through challenges. It’s not just about discipline — it’s about teaching life skills, building character, and preparing them for a better future on their own. The small town of Delta and the natural setting also add to the experience. The calm, distraction-free environment really does make it possible for students to focus on themselves in a way that isn’t possible at home. Families often describe the process as difficult but ultimately life-changing, and I can see why.
I have loved this place!! From all the caring staff to the great therapists there, all these people do there best day in and day out to help the youth of this country become honorable young men who want to give back to the community. Love this place and all the things you guys are doing!!!
We were hesitant at first about sending our son to a therapeutic boarding school in Utah, but White River Academy helped him in ways local therapy just couldn’t. He got structure, real accountability, and—maybe most importantly—people who genuinely cared and knew how to connect with teenage boys.
I appreciate how White River Academy didn’t feel like a traditional therapeutic boarding school. My son got to dive into academics, ride horses, volunteer in the community—and yes, work on deeper stuff too. It’s been a real rip‑cord from his old mindset.
Pros: • He needed a "hard reset" (his words) • He was safe • He did get SOME of his HS education Cons: • The academic plan presented to parents was not adhered to. • He was trained to behave as a prisoner. • Parents were threatened that their student would be kicked out & the parents must keep $$ in WRA's coffers in case they kicked him out & needed to transport him to the nearest bus depot or airport. • The biggest con was the insurance fraud. Before WRA would file with our health insurance, we had to sign (and have notarized) that any amounts paid by health insurance would be given to WRA. Nevermind that we paid the WRA tuition in full every month. The kicker was that WRA was billing health insurance TWENTY TIMES (or more) the amount of our monthly tuition. That's insurance fraud no matter how you slice it. When we received the insurance checks, we refused to deposit them & write a check to WRA. They directed us to the contract we'd signed. We reminded them we paid our tuition in full each month & had a zero balance. We were given a sob story about how expensive it is to run WRA. We contacted our health insurance admin & told them we would not be cashing these checks. We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. Teaching young men to be responsible adults with character and integrity --- while majorly defrauding insurance --- while holding financial consequences over the parents' heads --- that simply does not compute. Yes, we removed our son before he completed the program. In the year he was there, there were only three who completed the program, so I have no idea how they arrive at their program graduation percentage. Did he gain from the program? Certainly. Did he need a "hard reset"? Absolutely. Was he kept physically safe? Yes. Were academic schedules adhered to? No. Was our health insurance defrauded? Yes. If you're considering WRA, you're in a time of deep need. Try your best to keep your eyes open, even in a period of desperation.
Back
Sharing your insights and experiences can help others learn more about this rehab center.
800-784-1361
