BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Reviews
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BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Reviews: How It Works, What It Costs, and What to Expect

ByA. Rohman
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If you are looking for a wilderness therapy program for your troubled teen or young adult, you may have come across BlueFire Wilderness Therapy.

BlueFire is a licensed and accredited program that claims to help clients overcome emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges through adventure-based activities, individual and group therapy, and family support.

But is BlueFire Wilderness Therapy really effective?

What are the pros and cons of choosing this program?

And what are the experiences of past clients and their families?

In this blog post, we will answer these questions by reviewing BlueFire Wilderness Therapy from different perspectives.

We will also provide some tips on how to choose the best wilderness therapy program for your needs.

What is BlueFire Wilderness Therapy?

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is a program that offers wilderness therapy for teens and young adults aged 11 to 28.

What is BlueFire Wilderness Therapy?

The program is based in Gooding, Idaho, and operates year-round.

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy combines adventure activities, such as hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and skiing, with evidence-based therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and trauma-focused therapy.

The program also incorporates experiential learning, life skills development, academic support, and family involvement.

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy aims to help clients develop self-awareness, self-regulation, self-confidence, and self-efficacy, as well as improve their relationships, communication, and coping skills.

What are the Pros and Cons of BlueFire Wilderness Therapy?

Like any other wilderness therapy program, BlueFire Wilderness Therapy has its advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing this program:

Pros

  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is licensed by the state of Idaho and accredited by The Joint Commission, which are indicators of quality and safety standards.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy has a team of qualified and experienced staff, including licensed therapists, certified wilderness instructors, registered nurses, and academic tutors.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy offers a personalized and holistic approach to treatment, tailoring the program to each client’s needs, goals, strengths, and challenges.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy provides a variety of adventure activities that are designed to challenge, engage, and inspire clients, as well as foster physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy has a strong focus on family involvement, offering regular phone calls, webinars, workshops, and family therapy sessions, as well as a family graduation at the end of the program.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy has a high success rate, with 83% of clients reporting positive outcomes after completing the program, according to an independent research study.

Cons

  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy costs between $525 and $575 per day, depending on the age group and the length of stay.

    The program does not accept insurance but offers financing options and scholarships for eligible families.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is not suitable for everyone, as it has certain admission criteria and exclusion criteria.

    For example, the program does not accept clients who have severe medical conditions, active suicidal ideation, or a history of violence or sexual offenses.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is located in a remote area, which may make it difficult for some families to visit or transport their children to and from the program.
  • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is a short-term intervention, lasting between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on the client’s progress and readiness.

What are the Reviews of BlueFire Wilderness Therapy?

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy has received mixed reviews from past clients and their families.

Positive Reviews

On the positive side, many reviewers have praised the program’s effectiveness, professionalism, compassion, and support.

They have also shared stories of how the program helped their child overcome various challenges, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, defiance, low self-esteem, and poor academic performance.

Here are some examples of positive reviews:

“BlueFire saved his life. The whole community helped him look at himself and face the choices he’d been making, allowing him to change course. I can’t say enough about how helpful they were.”

– Sarah, mother

“BlueFire was a transformative experience for my son and our family. The staff are experts in their field. They are professional yet caring.”

– Anonymous, parent

“BlueFire is an amazing program and I highly recommend it. My son came out with a greater understanding of what he needs to do to be successful and happy.”

– Debbie, parent

Negative Reviews

On the negative side, some reviewers have criticized the program for its cost, communication, transparency, and outcomes.

They have also expressed dissatisfaction with how the program handled specific issues, such as safety, health, education, and family involvement.

Here are some examples of negative reviews:

“BlueFire is a scam. They charge you a fortune and don’t deliver on their promises. They don’t communicate with you or your child. They don’t care about your child’s well-being or education. They just want your money.”

– John, father

“BlueFire is a nightmare. They lied to us about everything. They didn’t provide any therapy or support for our daughter. They treated her like a prisoner and abused her physically and emotionally. They made her worse than before.”

– Lisa, mother

“BlueFire is a waste of time and money. They didn’t help our son at all. He came back more angry and depressed than ever. They didn’t follow up with us or provide any aftercare. They left us hanging and clueless.”

– Mark, father

How to Choose the Best Wilderness Therapy Program for Your Needs?

As you can see, BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may work well for some clients and families, but not for others.

Therefore, it is important to do your own research and compare different wilderness therapy programs before making a decision.

Here are some tips on how to choose the best wilderness therapy program for your needs:

  • Consider your child’s needs, goals, preferences, and personality.
    What are the main issues that your child is struggling with?
    What are the outcomes that you and your child hope to achieve?
    What are the activities and therapies that your child would enjoy and benefit from?
    What are the characteristics and qualities that your child looks for in a therapist and a peer group?
  • Consider your family’s needs, goals, preferences, and budget.
    What are the expectations and concerns that you and your family have regarding wilderness therapy?
    What are the resources and support that you and your family need during and after the program?
    What are the costs and payment options that you and your family can afford and access?
  • Research and compare different wilderness therapy programs.
    What are the credentials and reputation of each program?
    What are the admission and exclusion criteria of each program?
    What are the services and features of each program?
    What are the strengths and weaknesses of each program?
    What are the reviews and testimonials of each program?
  • Contact and visit different wilderness therapy programs.
    What are the impressions and feelings that you and your child get from each program?
    What are the questions and answers that you and your child have for each program?
    What are the agreements and contracts that you and your child have to sign for each program?
  • Follow your intuition and trust your judgment.
    What is the best fit for you and your child?
    What is the best option for you and your family?
    What is the best decision for you and your child’s future?

Summary

BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is a program that offers wilderness therapy for teens and young adults who are facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.

The program combines adventure activities, individual and group therapy, and family support to help clients develop self-awareness, self-regulation, self-confidence, and self-efficacy, as well as improve their relationships, communication, and coping skills.

However, BlueFire Wilderness Therapy is not for everyone, as it has its pros and cons, as well as mixed reviews from past clients and their families.

Therefore, it is important to do your own research and compare different wilderness therapy programs before choosing the best one for your needs.

How to contact BlueFire Wilderness Therapy and get more information?

If you are interested in BlueFire Wilderness Therapy and want to get more information, you can contact them through the following ways:

You can also request a free consultation, download a brochure, or apply online through their website.

The Bottom Line

I hope this review was helpful and informative for you and helped you learn more about the BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Program.

If you have any experience with this therapy program feel free to share your experience in the comments below.

Thank you for reading and good luck!

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