Equinox RTC

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Equinox RTC is a residential treatment center for teen boys ages 14-18. Combining intensive therapeutic services, personalized academics, and fitness / activity options, Equinox helps teens mature into responsible young men.

Equinox is designed specifically to address the emotional and behavioral struggles of teen boys. The physically and emotionally safe environment of Equinox enables teens to learn in grown in a positive, uplifting setting. The philosophy at Equinox is that people, more than programs, make the difference. The inspiring environment allows a nurturing of competency, integrity, and balanced, healthy lifestyles.

The therapeutic program of Equinox emphasizes family therapy, adventure therapy, physical fitness, and nutrition. Other important aspects of programming at Equinox include accredited academics, psychiatric services, and outdoor adventures.

Equinox RTC uses the archetypal Hero’s Journey as a tool to guide students and families along a path towards success. By using the Hero’s Journey throughout therapeutic and academic programming, Equinox RTC helps families learn to believe in themselves and begin to have hope for the future again.

testimonials

"We left Equinox feeling very blessed our son has the opportunity to be here. After all these years, I finally have hope our son will become the person I have always seen inside him."

Kyle Gillette Equinox

Parent of Equinox Student

Phone: (877) 279-8925

Email: bryan@equinoxrtc.com

City: Hendersonville, North Carolina

Closest Airport: Asheville Regional Airport

Average Duration: 9 -12 months.

Who we Help: Boys between the ages of 14-18.

Student Profile:

Grief & Loss
Depression
Anxiety
Abuse and trauma
Impulse control
Low self-esteem
Poor relationship choices
Family dysfunction
Addictive behaviors

Learn More Equinox RTC

A Residential Treatment Center for Boys 14-18

John Moore
Executive Director - Equinox RTC

Bryan Tomes
Founder & Director of Business Development- Equinox RTC

Bonnie Richardson
Academic Director - Equinox RTC

Mike Feeney, Ph.D
Clinical Director - Equinox RTC

Natalie Stark
Director of Recreational Therapy

Equinox RTC News & Press

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John Moore

Executive Director - Equinox RTC

John Moore, LPC, earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health from Western Seminary in Sacramento, CA. As a licensed mental health counselor with more than 10 years of clinical experience, John appreciates the transformational ability of individualized, relationship-based therapy and holistic programming unique to residential treatment centers. He also believes in the healing power of nature, supported by his own outdoor adventures growing up and now raising a family in Western North Carolina.

John has held a variety of roles in residential treatment programs including Therapist, Program Manager, Clinical Director, Operations Director, and Executive Director. Additionally, he has a diverse clinical background that encompasses outpatient, in-home, and school-based treatment. Throughout his career, John has worked with high-risk populations including Juvenile Justice, victims of sex trafficking, and clients with significant behavioral and developmental disorders. Through a trauma-informed lens, John pairs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Motivational Interviewing and EMDR to build resiliency in clients.

When John is off-campus, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, mountain and road biking, and building furniture in his woodshop.

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Bryan Tomes

Founder & Director of Business Development- Equinox RTC

Bryan was one of the founding team members of Asheville Academy for Girls. Bryan has overseen the development of accredited academies at both AAG and Solstice East, as well as designed and managed operational systems for all three business. His role has been instrumental in the startup of Equinox. With Equinox, he helped establish another successful program while adding Marketing and Business Development to his portfolio.

Bryan’s prior experience includes work in multiple therapeutic and traditional school settings – residential and day. Bryan has taught classes, led schools, managed accreditation and developed therapeutic programs from the ground up, including marketing, budgeting, infrastructure development, systems and client referrals.

Bryan is married with one child. Having grown up in the area, he loves being close to his extended family while also having the ability to get lost in the mountains. Most of his free time is spent outdoors, either with sports or gardening.

Bryan’s education at the University of South Carolina and Western Carolina University focused on history, secondary education and school administration.

I love seeing the changes each one of our students goes through as they enter and exit our programs. Hearing back from families about the success their children are having at home is one of the greatest rewards this job can give me.

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Bonnie Richardson

Academic Director - Equinox RTC

Bonnie has over 10 years of experience working in secondary and higher education. For a number of years she has served as an academic director at a wilderness therapy residential treatment center and short-term therapeutic boarding school and has also held administrative and leadership roles in international education. She earned her Masters in Critical & Cultural Theory from Cardiff University in the U.K. and her B.A. in Interpersonal Communication from UCF. Bonnie’s time as a Wilderness First Aid/Responder Instructor and volunteer experiences teaching abroad have only further enriched her time in the classroom where she enjoys teaching English and tutoring in mathematics.
Bonnie is committed to supporting and guiding teachers and building relationships with students, supporting them and encouraging them to find their strengths, address their challenges, and push themselves to harness their full potential. In her spare time, Bonnie enjoys spending time with family, adventuring in the outdoors, binge listening to podcasts, exploring countries abroad, travel photography, and skating.

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Mike Feeney, Ph.D

Clinical Director - Equinox RTC

Dr. Mike Feeney, PhD. is a Licensed Psychologist with a passion for working with young people and their families, especially those affected by challenging behaviors, adverse events, or trauma. He values the level of treatment residential services can provide, and has a genuine appreciation of the trust families give when seeking support.

Mike earned his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from East Tennessee State University and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Virginia Treatment Center for Children, part of VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He started working with young people in out of home placements ten years ago as a field guide in a wilderness program, learning the value of new experiences to support change. Since then, his clinical training and work has spanned acute, residential, and outpatient care, juvenile justice, and medical settings. He has provided clinical supervision and trainings, administrative management of services, and has been fortunate enough to work alongside numerous specialists as a part of integrated treatment teams. He has a solid foundation in psychological testing, developing treatment plans, assessing risk factors, determining appropriate levels of care, and supporting school recommendations for young people. He has also conducted research examining how relationships influence self-identity in teens and young adults.

Through a developmental lens and trauma informed approach, he works to help young men create meaningful change and feel joy and acceptance in their relationships with others and themselves. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Family Systems Therapy are a few of the evidence-based interventions he draws from. Mike works well with young men who get “stuck,” whether that be in a pattern of behavior, an unhelpful mindset, or with big emotions. He approaches clients with validation and curiosity, finding positive intentions, and always working to connect, then correct. With an emphasis on experiential and holistic programming, and evidence based treatment, Mike supports the team at Equinox to ensure that each young man and family receives quality care.

In his personal time, Mike enjoys cooking for his wife and loved ones, running, mountain biking, learning to play the guitar, and looking for new fishing holes.

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Natalie Stark

Director of Recreational Therapy

Natalie graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Recreational Therapy. She has been working with adolescents in residential treatment since 2009. She is a licensed Recreation Therapist in the state of North Carolina and is nationally certified through the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation. Natalie is an avid believer that healthy, strong, and fulfilling relationships set the foundation for long lasting emotional well-being. She is creating a program that will provide students with a variety of recreational activities that will empower them to live in the moment and focus on the journey, not just the destination. Natalie understands how vital a full and exciting recreational lifestyle is to living a life of well-being. Her passion lies in helping others develop skills and assets they may need on their journey. Some of Natalie’s favorite activities are snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and hanging out with her Australian Shepard, Stella.

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