blueFire Wilderness

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blueFire is a leading therapeutic wilderness program combining the best of individualized clinical work, family therapy, adventure activities, and equine therapy to help adolescents make lasting changes.

blueFire has set the bar for wilderness therapy, offering twice as much individual and group clinical time per week as other wilderness programs.

We involve parents and other family members, keeping them connected to their teen via letters, phone calls, video calls and a multi-day family workshop. Our treatment is client-directed rather than level-based This means that we help our clients gain an understanding of their treatment goals rather than presenting them with externally based predetermined levels.

Therapists work with our clients in a variety of settings including the basecamps, equine therapy, and adventure outings. This frequency and variety is critical as we work with teens in the moment rather than relying on asking them to recall situations and emotions after the fact.

Adventures teach teens the value of engaging in healthy activities such as rock climbing, canoeing, and horseback riding. We want them to experience positive moments, gain confidence, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen their core beliefs.

testimonials

At blueFire I became more assertive. Also, I have learned how to communicate my frustrations in a healthy way and improved my relationship skills

Victoria, age 14 blueFire

VictoriaAge 14

Phone: (844) 413-1999

Email: reid@bluefirewilderness.com

City: Gooding, Idaho

Closest Airport: Boise, Idaho (about 102 miles away)

Average Duration: 60-70 days

Who we Help: Boys and Girls ages 10 to 18

Student Profile:

Defiance
Depression
ADHD
Anxiety
School Refusal
Trauma
Unhealthy Addictions

Learn More About BlueFire Wilderness

A wilderness therapy program for teens ages 11-17.

Kathy Rex
Founder & Executive Director - BlueFire Wilderness

Reid Treadaway
Founder & Business Development/Admissions – BlueFire Wilderness

Jon Worbets
Founder & Clinical Director - BlueFire Wilderness

blueFire Wilderness News & Press

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Kathy Rex

Founder & Executive Director - BlueFire Wilderness

Growing up in a large family, I spent most of my younger years in the outdoors and engaging in a variety of activities, from camping and hiking, team sports and annual family reunions at a mountain lake in northern Utah. I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Recreation Therapy, and shortly thereafter became a nationally Certified Licensed Recreation Therapist. After five years working in the recreation department in an inpatient psychiatric hospital that served young children, adolescents and adults, I was introduced to adventure therapy programs. Playing on a competitive softball team that traveled to southern Idaho in 1994, I met the leadership team of one of the first adventure therapy programs.

Wilderness therapy was an ideal setting for me as I spent several years as a Field Supervisor, established the Field Director position, became Assistant Director and then was the Executive Director of a leading adventure therapy program for the next 12 years. I believe in the powerful change that happens in the outdoor setting and am also passionate about continuing to evolve this profession and how programs are provided. Blending the traditional high level care of a treatment team model found in residential treatment centers with a strong adventure component into the wilderness approach enhances the experience that our families have. Safety in this setting is a priority and, as such, hiring and training protocols are of the utmost importance.

I live in a community which values family and strong neighborhood connections. My husband and I have raised three older children and have our youngest still at home. I volunteer countless hours to support my community by coaching youth sports. Seeing young people gain confidence through physical success is an important part of my life. Spending time as a family is a top priority and we can often be found at a ball field, gymnasium, boating on the Snake River or enjoying the many winter activities in the surrounding mountains. I get excited to engage in new adventures and challenges on a regular basis. My family recently added a tandem kayak to their collection of outdoor gear.

I believe life is full of possibilities. I am excited to be apart of helping families realize their potential. This is my passion.

Click Here to go to blueFire Wilderness and blueFire Pulsar

Reid Treadaway

Founder & Business Development/Admissions – BlueFire Wilderness

I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Clemson University, thenin 1996 I started working as a front-line staff at Rocky Mountain Academy and the Ascent wilderness program. Within 2 years I became an Admissions Counselor for the Ascent program. In 2000, as the Director of Admissions, I helped start the admissions office for a startup wilderness program called SUWS of the Carolinas. In 2003 I moved back to Idaho to be the Director of Admissions for the Ascent wilderness program. Within a year I became the Regional Director of Admissions for all four CEDU/Brown School programs in North Idaho. In 2010 I was an Admissions Specialist with InnerChange, working with the Internet team for placements for New Haven, Sunrise and Fulshear Ranch Academy. In 2012 I became the Director of Admissions for Boulder Creek Academy. In 2014 I helped found Blue Fire Wilderness. We opened our doors and accepted our first client on September 20th, 2014.

I am married and have 3 boys ages 11,15 and 19. I enjoy skiing, gardening, hunting, fishing, camping, boating and just being out in nature. I love the community that I live in and the people that live in it.

The harder I work the luckier I get.

Click Here to go to blueFire Wilderness and blueFire Pulsar

Jon Worbets

Founder & Clinical Director - BlueFire Wilderness

Jon has always had his hand in both mental health & adventure-based therapy. He has taken his interest in psychology and love of the outdoors and directed a non-profit organization working with inner city youth, worked as the clinical program manager for a wilderness program, was the founder and clinical director of a wilderness therapy program for adjudicated youth, and the clinical director at a therapeutic boarding school. He has pioneered the way parents and kids approach the therapeutic benefits of the wilderness and created industry changing practices in family therapy.

In his free time Jon loves to spend time with his family in the outdoors. He enjoys teaching his children skiing, climbing, and how to paddle waters all over the northwestern United States. Jon is a staple in the outdoor community while not at BlueFire.

Jon has a BS in Psychology from Colorado State, MA in Clinical Psychology from Prescott College, Certified EMDR clinician, Specializing in trauma, ODD, Depression, and Anxiety.

The greatest gift we can give our kids is the confidence they can overcome difficult things, which can only be fostered through challenge and adversity.

Click Here to go to blueFire Wilderness and blueFire Pulsar