Very good conditions and the staff care about the kids a lot. Ive been there and the staff are actually required to call you on how good your child is doing, plus you can aleaalwaysys ask and the staff are happy to oblige, your kid will hate being there, but it is the best r ...
About Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is a behavioral health program for children between the ages of eleven and eighteen in Billings, Montana. They’re a residential program that also provides community based services locally.
In their residential program, youth participate in scheduled sessions from the time when they wake up in the morning through the evening. The predictable daily schedule provides youth with routine and structure that is therapeutic. They become part of the community during their stay and, in doing so, they start to learn accountability towards others and themselves.
Their staff use evidence based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. They’re trained in using trauma informed approaches to treatment and service delivery.
While enrolled, children continue their schooling through the Yellowstone Academy. This is the onsite school with teachers who are trained to work with children with behavioral health needs. The supportive environment and staffing help children continue to meet their educational needs while they’re in treatment.
Most people use insurance to cover the cost of their stay. There are some managed Medicaid programs that will cover treatment. They’re in-network with TRICARE West, Blue Cross and other private health insurers, but you should verify your benefits before getting services.
Latest Reviews
Oh my lord. I remember most of how the terrible people I encountered. Yes this was in 2015 to 2017. So most likely no one cares.. I'm sure. They always like to brush off all issues to the kids and not the staff... I'm almost 26 years old and still have issues with this place. As a mom now I have realized what it is to actually take care of a minor unlike these people. Hope things have changed but I'd never risk it. Ybgr is the type of place that when you're a child in the system already have issues they cause or come up with more issues for that child. Their best interest is not the child nor has it ever been.. horses????? No such luck I o KY seen the horses 3 times. Was forced to stay there for 8 months. The only time we ever seen then is to make the public see they actually do what they say which if ya ever did then we'd see them 1x a week which was promised fo the kids.. but why were cameras allowed during the 3 times I ever saw the horses? I didn't even know yall actually had any wasn't till cameras were involved. If you're child was more successful then you're luck probably because the kids had their parents... I did not. It is mainly a placement for foster kids that act like normal teenagers but can't be handled by anyone who is not there parents. Because being a normal teenager is not accepting here..
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to reach out. YBGR is committed to providing the best service possible for youth and families, according to our Mission and values. If you d like to connect further by phone or email, we ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks again for reaching out. You can email us at info@ybgr.org.
YBGR was lowkey really nice, I loved it there. The food isn t top tier but it s a pretty good treatment place in my opinion. Sometimes there s some stupid and scary stuff that will happen like fights, but it is to be expected in treatment. But I liked it and I felt it was useful in the long run. I struggled with some staff but I really loved my staff in my lodge. Also, you will get consequences/accountability's for not following the rules, but I think it s a good thing set in place to hold people accountable. (I ve gotten a bit of a fair share of consequences so it s from experience). The place really helped my confidence and mental health without making me a med zombie. They have a Chemical Dependency program and AA to try to help kids who struggle with substance abuse issues and they have very kind counselors with CD. Cheryl was my CD counselor and I felt like she listened to me. Also thankyou to my PM Emily and my favorite day staff Marcos and overnight Zach! They did a lot for me then they might ve realized. Honest, treatment only works if your kid wants to work it. You can fight it and be miserable, or you can try to participate. And if you do, you ll likely get somewhere. Please don t blame the staff and foundation for the outcome, treatment can only work if you have the desire to get better. I was in Shumaker lodge!! 24-25
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to reach out. We hope you are doing well!
I went to this place in 2023 when I was 17. I m writing this review as my experience being a trans male that spent 3 months here. If you have a trans child, please do not send them here. First, they put me in a girls lodge, which I was not comfortable with in the slightest. Then, they started giving me my testosterone shots, but stopped because they thought I d sue them if I changed my mind . I missed multiple shots while they figured out what to do about me. They ended up having a staff member drive me to the hospital every week to get my shot, which was nice but should ve been figured out earlier. This place used to be a Christian establishment. They are now under new management but majority of the staff are from the old one. Many of the staff misgendered me often which only added to my mental struggles I went there to treat. Not to mention the screaming panic attack I had where the staff didn t know what it was so they locked me in my room and treated me like I was trying to be a disruption when I genuinely needed help. Also there s a time out room you that even I, someone without behavioral issues who was there for suicidal ideation, was forced to go in. One time there was a contraband incident and the staff made us get fully naked behind a curtain. Little did we know they could see our entire naked bodies in the mirrors behind us. I will say there are some great staff that genuinely care. My safe space was the music room at the school. Overall, this place did not make me feel better. It was traumatic.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for sharing your experience, Adam. We re sorry to hear that parts of your time with us were challenging. We take feedback seriously and remain committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for every youth in our care. Mental health care is a personal journey, and if you d like to share more, we welcome the opportunity to listen and learn. You can reach us at (406) 655-2100 or info@ybgr.org. Thank you again for sharing your perspective with us. We wish you the best moving forward. 
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6.3 / 10
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Location
Accepted Insurance
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
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
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.
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.
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
Michael Chavers
CEO
Tyson Schumacher
COO
Michael Chandler
CFO
Dr. Taylor Mayer
Executive Director of Residential Services
Kim Collins
Executive Director of Community Based Services
Rishay Watson
Executive Director of Business Development and Marketing
Tra Williams
Director of Nursing and Clinic Operations
Lance Moyer
Director of Human Resources
Contact Information
(406) 655-2100 
1732 South 72nd street West
Billings, MT 59106
Get Help Now - 406-213-8781
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Fact checked and written by:
Michelle Tavares, MSN, RN
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
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