Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy program catering to troubled youth, has come under the spotlight recently due to a comprehensive investigation. The investigation, conducted by the Asheville Citizen-Times, revealed a series of allegations against the program, ranging from emotional abuse and neglect to unsafe and unregulated practices. The investigation also exposed the lack of oversight and accountability in the wilderness therapy industry, raising questions about the efficacy and ethics of such programs.
We will delve into the Trails Carolina investigation, exploring the allegations, the response from the organization, and the broader implications for the wilderness therapy industry.
The Allegations
The allegations against Trails Carolina range from emotional abuse and neglect to unsafe and unregulated practices. Some of the allegations are as follows:
- Former staff members and participants reported that they witnessed or experienced verbal abuse, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, and manipulation by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were denied adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, medical care, and hygiene by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were subjected to harsh and arbitrary punishments, such as being forced to carry heavy rocks, dig holes, or sit in silence for hours or days by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were exposed to unsafe and unsanitary conditions, such as sleeping in tents infested with bugs or rodents, drinking contaminated water, or using makeshift toilets by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were coerced or pressured to sign contracts, waivers, or testimonials that waived their rights or praised the program by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were prevented from contacting their families or authorities by the program’s staff and therapists.
- Former staff members and participants reported that they were misled or lied to about the nature, duration, cost, or outcome of the program by the program’s staff and therapists.
The Response
Trails Carolina has denied any wrongdoing and has defended its program as safe, effective, and ethical. The program’s director, Graham Shannonhouse, issued a statement in response to the investigation, saying that,
Shannonhouse also claimed that the investigation was based on “unsubstantiated claims” from “a handful of disgruntled former employees and participants” who had “ulterior motives” or “personal agendas”. He also accused the Asheville Citizen-Times of having a “biased agenda” and of conducting a “one-sided” and “inaccurate” investigation.
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The Implications
The Trails Carolina investigation has shed light on the wilderness therapy industry, which is a multi-million dollar business that operates in a largely unregulated and unaccountable manner. According to the investigation:
- There is no federal or state agency that oversees or licenses wilderness therapy programs in North Carolina or in most other states.
- There is no standardized definition or criteria for what constitutes wilderness therapy or who can provide it.
- There is no mandatory reporting or data collection on the outcomes, incidents, or complaints involving wilderness therapy programs.
- There is no independent research or evidence that supports the effectiveness or safety of wilderness therapy programs.
- There is no consumer protection or recourse for families or participants who are dissatisfied or harmed by wilderness therapy programs.
The investigation has also raised concerns about the ethical and legal issues surrounding wilderness therapy programs. According to the investigation:
- Wilderness therapy programs often target vulnerable populations, such as adolescents with mental health issues, learning disabilities, substance abuse problems, or behavioral problems.
- Wilderness therapy programs often use deceptive or aggressive marketing tactics, such as promising quick fixes, guaranteed results, or miraculous transformations.
- Wilderness therapy programs often charge exorbitant fees, ranging from $15,000 to $30,000 per month, which are not covered by insurance or financial aid.
- Wilderness therapy programs often operate under a legal loophole that allows them to avoid liability or accountability for their actions or outcomes.
Conclusion
Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program that has been accused of various forms of abuse and neglect by former staff members and participants. The program has denied any wrongdoing and has defended its program as safe, effective, and ethical. The program has also criticized the investigation that exposed the allegations as biased, inaccurate, and unfair.
The investigation, however, has revealed the lack of oversight and accountability in the wilderness therapy industry, which is a multi-million dollar business that operates in a largely unregulated and unaccountable manner. The investigation has also exposed the ethical and legal issues surrounding wilderness therapy programs, which often target vulnerable populations, use deceptive or aggressive marketing tactics, charge exorbitant fees, and operate under a legal loophole.
The Trails Carolina investigation has raised important questions about the efficacy and ethics of wilderness therapy programs. It has also highlighted the need for more regulation, research, and transparency in the wilderness therapy industry. It has also urged families and participants to be more informed and cautious when considering or enrolling in wilderness therapy programs.