White River Academy

275 West 100 South Delta, UT 84624

About White River Academy

White River Academy offers inpatient treatment for male adolescents needing behavioral health services. The program includes academic services, experiential therapy, individual counselling, family therapy and more. White River Academy is located at Delta, Utah.

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

Latest Reviews

Mom K

Reviewed on 04/10/2025

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 it is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. From the moment my family connected with the team at White River, we felt heard, supported, and understood. They have taken the time to truly get to know my son—not just his struggles, but his strengths, his story, and his potential. The staff are incredibly professional, but even more importantly, they are kind, compassionate, and deeply committed to the young men they serve. White River Academy has been truly life-changing for us. We have been and still are impressed by the professionalism, compassion, and dedication of the staff. The program is designed with deep care and intention, focusing not just on behavior modification but on healing the whole person—mentally, emotionally, and physically. We appreciate how they involve us in the process and keep communication open every step of the way. Through therapy, structure, and a lot of patience, I can see my son begin to transform. It’s not overnight, but slowly and steadily we are seeing positive changes. What sets White River apart is their emphasis on relationship-based therapy and real-world accountability. The environment is structured yet supportive, helping my son rediscover his sense of purpose, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with our families in meaningful ways. The staff are not only highly qualified but also genuinely invested in the success of each student. We have found that Delta, Utah, is the perfect setting—quiet, grounded, and far removed from the chaos that had surrounded our lives. The area and building adds sense of peace, focus, minimalism and free from distractions. White River Academy is not a quick fix, but it is an incredibly effective and transformative program

Jeff Chris Fillmore

3 months ago on Google

I am the Executive Director of Millard Care & Rehabilitation in Delta, UT. I have worked over the years with many of the team members at White River Academy. We have successfully completed many service projects together. I am so impressed with the administrative team, including Jamie Orulian. I have worked with teachers such as Steven Brown and coaches and team members such as Mr. Will and David Greene. This is a team that values youth and their growth. These are people that exemplify what these great youth can emulate. There are other team members I could name, but I will recuse myself as a result of how high I hold them in esteem and my close relationship.An example of a project which was heart warming and impactful was the Christmas Card project this last Holiday Season! The youth wrote heartwarming messages to our residents at our nursing community and our residents read them or had them read and enjoyed a great experience together. This is the type of meaningful service this group does and the engaged service they participate in regularly.I for one am grateful and reflect often of the gratitude I have that they are in our community.Jeff ChristensenExecutive DirectorMillard Care & Rehabilitation (MCR)

Response from the owner3 months ago

Jeff, Thanks so much for your support of our young men and allowing them to rub shoulders with the residents at the Care Center. It certainly has made a difference in their lives.

Stephanie Barton

3 months ago on Google

My first encounter with White River Academy was one I will never forget, and each one after has continued to be much the same. I was going to judge by the "vibe" I felt when I walked in. I was greeted with friendly and helpful staff. Their interaction with the boys in their care was patient and kind. The facility is kept clean and decorated to the season with a creative flare, and the food is amazing. I was also impressed how organized everything was. They have live teachers and teachers assistants for their academic program, which is nice for the students to be able to get lessons directly without having to be online. Their therapists are creative and develop groups that are fun and interactive in addition to individual and family sessions. The thing that impressed me the most though was how much everyone really shows they care about helping these kids to be successful at life when they leave there. They take time with them and do what they can to help them understand things that maybe hasn't always made sense. You couldn't ask for more kind and caring people to help these young man walk this path in a very challenging part of their journey. I would highly recommend White River Academy should a residential treatment program ever be necessary.

Response from the owner3 months ago

We truly appreciate your kind words! Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where students feel supported academically, emotionally, and personally. hank you for recognizing the heart and effort behind what we do.

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

7.1 / 10

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Other Forms of Payment

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

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.

24-Hour Clinical Care

In order to ensure your safety during the withdrawal process, rehabs offer 24-hour clinical care in Utah. You have access to experienced medical staff around the clock, and they can adminsiter treatments or perform clincial interventions that lessen withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable. Teatments can include medications, nutritional supplements, and mental health counseling.

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.

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. 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.

Amenities

Private Setting

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Justin Nielson

Executive Program Director

Jamie Orullian

Program Director

Kristi Heisterman

Clinical Director

Robin Reber

Admissions Coordinator

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

(888) 864-0065

Website

275 West 100 South
Delta, UT 84624

Get Help Now - 385-390-3465

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Reviews of White River Academy

4.4/5 (32 reviews)

Meals

Value

Cleanliness

Google Reviews

4.6 (28 reviews)

Brooks Jackson

1 month ago

As someone who has interacted with the staff and residents from White River Academy in a professional capacity as well as a recreational capacity, I’ve been consistently impressed by them and with the structure of their programs. Every young man I have interacted with has always been respectful, helpful, and friendly. White River Academy has been helpful to the community by offering regular service projects. This is something that most certainly helps these young men develop their skills and character.

Kylin Cox

From the time I was introduced to White River Academy, I was truly moved by the kindness, care, and passion of the staff. The work being done here is incredibly impactful and the principles taught are truly life-changing. The dedication and commitment of the staff and teachers is evident in the positive atmosphere and the way they go above and beyond to support and empower. I highly recommend White River Academy for anyone looking for a place where they can experience genuine care, support, and positive principles that will be impactful in all life experiences.

Response from the ownerInvalid relative date format:

Thanks Ky.

Anabel Jimenez-Figueroa

Me and my family are grateful for WRA. Our son was completely lost mentally , spiritually and physically prior to arriving at WRA. He had Schizoaffective bipolar disorder and poly substance abuse disorder , dual diagnosis . I had tried multiple professionals , hospitals at home and at US and he remained the same , or worse each time getting more challenging. At WRA he was evaluated and followed by a team. Initially difficult but little by little he changed and rose his true personality A compassionate and caring human being . We owe our sons life to WRA. His therapist , parent Liasion , teacher and all staff provided discipline with love. All the staff was accessible and caring about all the students. We are grateful that our son was at WRA it changed his life for the better. He got his life back.

Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt message. It means a great deal to hear how your son’s time at White River Academy made a positive impact. Our team is dedicated to providing structured, compassionate care to support each young man’s growth—mentally, emotionally, and personally. We’re truly honored to have been part of his journey and your family’s as well.

Whitney Kester

3 months ago

Thank you for your kind words, Whitney. Supporting young men and their families through meaningful, lasting change is at the heart of everything we do. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear that you’ve felt seen, involved, and supported throughout the process. Watching your son rediscover his strengths and move forward with purpose is exactly why we’re here.

Danielle Meneely

I can’t even tell you how amazing White River Academy has been for our family. We were at our wits end trying to get help for our son. Then we found WRA and finally felt some hope that our son might actually get better and be a productive member of society. All the staff there are friendly and easy to talk to. You are assigned a therapist and a parent liaison when your boy is there. These two people have been a true blessing for our family. They have parent weekends throughout the year. They go all out for the parent weekends. Lots of activities and time to spend with your boys. During parent weekends, you get to sit in a few seminars to learn about strategies and what the boys are going through and the different phases that they will go through. You also get to meet other parents that have their boys in the facility. This has been a blessing to get to meet other people that are going through some of the same struggles that you are going through. It makes you feel better knowing that you are not alone. WRA is follows a very strict structure, but honestly it is what most of these boys need. They also offer some sports as well. The boys go out into the community and do charity work to make the community better. They hold the boys accountable for their actions, which was good because prior to WRA, nobody would hold him accountable for his actions. Our boy struggled really a lot in the beginning, to the point that we thought he was going to be asked to leave, but the staff fought hard to keep him there and really worked with him and us to start getting him down the right path. I can’t say enough great things about WRA. They truly are amazing people that really care about the boys and their well being. If you are considering a residential treatment facility then White River Academy is a great option!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We’re honored to have been a part of your family’s journey and proud of the progress your son has made. Our team is dedicated to providing structured, compassionate care, and it means the world to hear how much that support has meant to you. Stories like yours are why we do what we do.

Jessica Goette

WRA has supported our family through one of our most difficult times with compassion and kindness since day 1. They have maintained open and honest communication with us throughout pour son’s treatment. When we began having issues with our Medicaid insurance, they went above and beyond to support us through those challenges as well. We are so grateful for their professional, personalized mental-health services.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Jessica. We know how challenging this journey can be, and it means a great deal to hear that our team was able to walk alongside your family with care and support. We're committed to making every aspect of treatment as smooth and compassionate as possible.

soo mooney

My first interaction with the WRA boys was when we were tying quilts for hospital babies as a community service project. I was relatively new to the area and hadn't heard of the program, so this was my first exposure. I thought the boys worked well together as a group, and I was able to individually chat with each one as we worked at the table. They shared heartbreaking stories of trauma, and how much they had learned and gained self-esteem while at WRA. I was intrigued. I have had the opportunity of working with them in various capacities, and I can say that they have brought a good name to the program. As a local, I have been impressed by the quality of caring staff, therapists, and program in general. Some of my best friends have worked here for a long time. I know there is a lot of misinformation and some facilities have given the industry a bad name. I have personally witnessed boys whose traumatic lives were rescued through WRA. Five stars from ME. :)

Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s inspiring to see how the program has made a lasting impact, and we’re grateful for the community’s support in recognizing the hard work of our students and staff.<br>

Fx1171

Client MY, March 30th 2022 ~12:00PM - July 18th 2023 3:42AM. LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS WAS 2023. IT IS NOW 2025. THINGS MAY HAVE CHANGED SO THIS MAY NOT BE ENTIRELY ACCURATE. One problem with all of these positive reviews is that they are from the perspective of the parent, not the client. So let me offer that perspective. Positive Aspects: The staff was generally caring and supportive, with some staff members acting as father figures for me. Teachers and therapy were helpful, leading me to improve academically, raising my GPA from 2.1 to 3.48. I formed close bonds with peers that I still speak to today and had a phenomenal therapist. Negative Aspects: Unsuitable for my needs: I feel that WRA was not suited to address my specific problems. When I acted out, I was kicked out, suggesting the facility's inability to handle certain issues such as self-harm effectively. Trauma and reluctance to seek further treatment: The experience was so traumatizing that it made me hesitant to seek any other treatment facility afterward. Punitive measures for not finishing food: An issue was the consequence for not finishing meals. Failure to eat all of the large portions (around 3000 calories a day) resulted in being placed on "special observation," the lowest level with so little rights you aren't even entitled to a sweater even when it's cold. You get a shirt, shorts, and socks. And the only light of day you'll see or feel will be from the window, assuming there is one 5 feet from a staff member. I and had minimal interaction with the outside world. Exceptions were extremely rare. Restricted communication: While clients could email their parents daily, the content was monitored, and communication was severely limited. Confidentiality was only achieved through 5 minutes of private call time once a week or by sending handwritten letters, which is impractical for quick communication. Unsafe safety procedures: While physical confrontation is avoided at all costs, others can tend to be dangers to others or themselves and can only be stopped via force. I'm not gonna act like I was some kind of model client, good client, or angel. I've been restrained a few times in this facility. Now under Utah code section 26B-2-S123 article 1, it is illegal to use pain to obtain compliance during a safety restraint. Did this stop them from doing it? Absolutely not. If it be my wrist being twisted backwards so far that it caused unbearable pain, or the full weight of a grown man digging into my triceps causing a treacherous sting, it happened. Did I deserve it? No doubt, I was being an asshole. Is it ethical? That's a matter of opinion, but what isn't a matter of opinion is Utah legislature. Just saying. Working your way to the top: Getting to mastery, I spent months, and months, and MONTHS getting to the point where my submission would be accepted. And it did! Lots of work went into that. I became quite successful actually, I even managed to get to my small service project. The only problem is that I was sent back to adaptive by staff with NO warning. Nobody told me that I'm messing up. Nobody told me that I need to improve X, Y, and Z. No fellow mastery members had a say. Not even my own THERAPIST had a say in the matter. To add insult to injury, the same staff that collectively decided that I need to be kicked out of mastery are the ones who also decided to approve my small service project orientation the same day. Yes, we will approve your project and give you the hope that you'll be able to get just ONE step closer to graduation. Which they'll tell me is a 90% rate to give me hope that I can do it despite the fact that out of the 30 clients (10 off from max capacity) that I saw leave only 6 of them graduated which puts them a 21% graduation rate. And once we approve your project, we will demote you back to adaptive without any reasoning given, and without therapist approval. Very inspiring indeed.

I appreciate your candid review. We are always looking for ways to improve what we do and certainly want to provide a service that will improve lives not cause damage. I did not see your name so I'm not sure who you are but I'd love to have an opportunity to pick your brain on some of the things you have mentioned in your review. No pressure but if you would like please feel free to reach out to me personally to discuss further.

James Carlton

3 years ago

My grandson has been in WRA since JUly 2021...My son has been fighting with them to send billing to BCBS ...his stay would be covered by BCBS...as of today, WRA has NOT got the billing straight, so my son is paying OUT OF POCKET to this place! My opinion of this place is, not very good...they need to get their billing straight, it is costing my son a FORTUNE !! Lets get on the ball WRA!!!!!

I’m sorry to hear about your experience, Mr. Carlton. Thank you for sharing these details with us. Due to HIPAA privacy laws and respect for all of our students we won’t discuss the specifics of a person's therapy or treatment plan in a public setting. We do however want to assure you have all the answers you requested and it sounds like we have some areas to improve. I have forwarded this note directly to our team and have begun the process of assuring you have support and answers to some of these critical questions. Will you please reach out to our admissions team directly to see if we can get your some assistance? Contact robin@whiteriveracademy.com or call (435) 922-1183 .<br>Thank you again for taking the time to share your feedback with us – we take all reviews seriously and will use them in our continuous improvement efforts!

Christine Bluemke

Program was set up to encourage sucess. Staff was knowledgeable, compassionate and established good boundaries. Their understanding of RAD and parenting was very appreciated. Very committed group of employees to the students. The only negative experience was the financial piece. Our insurance company over paid, the school did not give re-funds so we paid insurance back on their behalf.

Christine thank you for taking the time to leave us this thoughtful review. I have forwarded your review to the team. We would like to better understand the Insurance aspect of your review. Will you please reach out to our admissions team directly to see if we can get your some assistance? Contact robin@whiteriveracademy.com or call (435) 922-1183 .Thank you again for taking the time to share your family experience.

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