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Therapeutic Boarding School
est 2004
 

In Balance Academy is committed to assisting each student and 
his family in the journey of recovery, sobriety, and academic achievement. 

We endeavor to facilitate healing in the individual and in the family, 
equipping them with the necessary tools to live a healthy, productive and joyful life.

SERVICES

PILLARS OF THE PROGRAM

Relational Horsemanship,

Equine Therapy,

Horse Treks,

Family Equine, 

Gymkhana

EQUINE

ACADEMICS

We are an accredited

high school dedicated

to promoting mastery

and personal growth. 

12 STEPS

Sponsors, meetings, and a 12 step program designed for teens helping with long term recovery

THERAPEUTIC

We have a full staff of skilled clinicians, individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, family weekends etc; 

creating a strong, safe, therapeutic environment

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

In Balance Academy is a nationally recognized, Joint Commission Accredited, family owned and operated, therapeutic boarding school developed around a clinically sophisticated model that effectively blends evidence-based, research-proven traditional and non-traditional therapy and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Additionally, the program incorporates relapse prevention techniques, equine therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, E.M.D.R., family therapy, Positive Peer Culture and an array of experiential treatment modalities. In Balance serves young men, ages 14-17.8, who are struggling with substance abuse and other co-occurring disorders. 

 

 

 


 

 

Located in beautiful southern Arizona, an hour and 15 minutes from Tucson, In Balance Academy offers an atmosphere conducive to self-reflection and serenity. Our program provides young men with a unique experience that inspires self-evaluation, discovery and growth. We believe that in order for a young person to be successful in recovery, it is our responsibility to instill in them that recovery can be not only rewarding, but fun as well. We incorporate an element of fun in almost everything we do at In Balance so do not be surprised to hear your son boast about going paint balling, snowboarding, rock climbing, cattle driving or traveling to amazing places nationally and internationally. Most importantly, our program offers the invaluable gift of recovery from chemical dependency and other mental health challenges.

IN BALANCE OFFERS CUTTING EDGE, RESEARCHED BASED TREATMENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

  • Individual and family therapy

  • Intensive Therapeutic Specialized Groups that may include; Depression, Anxiety, Trauma Recovery, Adoption, Anger Management, CBT, DBT, Family Issues, Divorce Recovery, Relationships, and Transitions.

  • A comprehensive and integrated 12-Step-based recovery program

  • Family education and support

  • Equine assisted therapy

  • Experiential, adventure-based therapy

  • Trauma treatment, including EMDR.

  • Treatment of co-occurring disorders

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Individualized academic program designed to ensure success

  • College prep courses & SAT/ACT testing preparation

  • College application counseling and assistance

  • Leadership and motivational training

  • Outdoor programming like hiking, nature walks etc.

  • "Recovery through Service" projects

  • A Positive Peer Culture

  • Family Weekends three times per year; Including intensive family therapy workshops, educational workshops, sibling supports, and fun/bonding activities.

  • Numerous travel experiences, including but not limited to: hiking in Zion, Utah; snowboarding in the White Mountains; recovery conference and an optional opportunity to participate in an international trip.

Guiding Principles

1. Recovery is the first step in everything we do; sobriety is the cornerstone upon which we build our lives and ultimately reach our personal potential.

2. Recovery from chemical dependency is a “whole person” process that involves physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual growth and healing.

3. Academic success is imperative for developmental growth of the adolescent and in creating resiliency against substance abuse relapse.

4. All of our students possess the potential to excel academically, to become strong leaders, and to live healthy, productive and happy lives. Together we will find the keys to unlock each young man’s potential.

5. The support of family members and healthy family relationships are an integral part of our program and the recovery process.

6. The staff at In Balance Academy help bring out each student’s talents and strengths, providing for a positive, realistic and optimistic future.

7. Service to others is an essential component of daily life at the Academy. Our students give unselfishly to others as they realize their incredible potential to become leaders of change in their own lives and in their communities.

OUR CAMPUS

TAKE A TOUR AROUND OUR BEAUTIFUL, SERENE, CAMPUS

Our work

AMAZING STAFF

Owner/Founder
CEO

Patrick Barrasso, LCSW founded In Balance in 1996. He still is involved daily and visits with students at the Academy at least twice a week.

Chief Operations
Officer

Anthony Barrasso MPA, MLS, runs the operations of the Academy while developing relationships with staff, students and their families.

ACADEMIC
DIRECTOR

Kala Phelps M.Ed. 

Academic Director

 

A graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Kala earned her Masters of Education. . . She also earned her Gifted Endorsement in 2021 and has served on schools’ Instructional Councils and as a department head at her previous schools.

horse 2[76].jpg
EQUINE
DIRECTOR

Kathryn Harra is a life-long learner who has spent decades studying the relationship between humans and horses. She works with the clients to give them the greatest possible chance of personal transformation. 

OUR STAFF

ADVENTURE

STARTS HERE

ACADEMICS

Our school, San Pedro Valley Academy, subscribes to the belief that for a young man to be successful, he must focus on academics in addition to his recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. These go hand in hand, as successful recovery and successful academics rely on many of the same tools. Our AdvancedEd accredited high school uses a self-paced tutorial model, along with teacher instructed classes, to provide an educational experience that will help our students learn a wide variety of necessary academic and life skills.  Your son will get the assistance of our academic director, teachers, and tutors to help him succeed. Our individualized academic program allows us to accommodate the highly motivated, academically gifted, as well as those students who have struggled in school. We use a mastery learning approach which allows us to support the students in doing their best work, and, if necessary, help them acquire skills they may have missed along the way.  We believe that every student is capable, and we reinforce this with positive messages and motivation. While we are individualistic and supportive, we also hold our students to high standards because we want them to know they are capable and able to do the work. Boys often come to us with a history of negative experiences in school which result in anxiety and low self-esteem. At SPVA, those who have struggled learn that they can accomplish what they never thought possible, and those for whom academics have been easy, are asked to challenge themselves in new ways.

 

Our schedule allows students the opportunity to move in and out of the schoolhouse to get exercise, participate in the Equine Program, and attend therapeutic groups. This provides an enriched, varied experience, which helps students make the best use of their study time while they are in the schoolhouse. We value the balance between mind, body, and spirit, and inspire our students through positive experiences, support, and nurturing relationships. 

COLLEGES ATTENDED
BY 
IN BALANCE ALUMNI:

  • Boise State

  • Butler University

  • Clemson University

  • Columbia College of Chicago

  • Eller College of Management

  • George Mason University

  • Hamden University

  • Indiana

  • James Madison University

  • Marquette University

  • Montana State

  • Penn State Medical School

  • Pepperdine University

  • Sevena College of Art and Design

  • St. Johns University

  • SUNY Purchase

  • Sydney University

  • Temple University

  • University of Arizona

  • University of California Berkeley

  • University of Central Florida Burnett Honors College

  • University of South Florida School of Medicine

  • And MANY more

ACADEMICS
CONTACT

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

ALUMNI PARENT

"There are no words to describe how happy I feel about our son and his new life. Whatever work he did down at In Balance really had a tremendous effect on him and I am glad to say that I have been less worried than I have been in years. I can tell that our son has made a deep psychic change. I look forward to the future now, rather than dread it. Thank you once again for helping us all have a meaningful life again."
-In Balance Parent

ALUMNI STUDENT

"In Balance offered me a relationship with my family again, I was finally able to see how much they truly loved me and they were finally able to see what a good son I really was."

-In Balance Alumni

ALUMNI PARENT

"We watched with gratitude and amazement as our son matured and our relationship with him thawed; gradually it has became warm, loving, and stable. I know that as the years unfold this experience will continue to enrich our lives."

-In Balance Parent

ALUMNI
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