Equinox RTC is a program for Young Adults (most commonly assigned male at birth) ages 14-18. We have created a relationship-based culture and experiential approach designed specifically to meet the needs of teenagers.

At Equinox, we closely screen each applicant to ensure that the students we accept into our residential treatment center are appropriate for the level of care we provide. We want to ensure that we are a good fit for your son and that he is a good fit for Equinox. This is of utmost importance to us, as research shows that the most important factor in positive clinical outcomes is the therapeutic relationship. The process starts by contacting our admissions team, who will answer any questions you may have about your child, our program, and a potential fit, which is followed by a risk-free application. Learn more about the process here. 

Insurance funding may be available depending on your family’s policy/provider and your child’s medical necessity. As a licensed private-pay facility we work with Bridgeway Billing, a third-party advocate, to help families navigate available insurance.

Equinox specializes in working with teenagers who struggle with depression, relational trauma, anxiety, and more. For an expanded list of struggles that our teens are facing, visit our Student Profile page here. 

Equinox RTC may not be suitable for adolescents who have a history of physical aggression or a diagnosis of Conduct disorder, are acutely suicidal or present a high risk of danger to themselves or others, experience psychosis or impaired reality testing, have an overall IQ score lower than 90, or are medically unstable. Learn more about our Student Profile here. 

Our length of stay ranges between 8-12 months. We recognize that each student’s journey is unique and our program is designed to provide personalized support and care to help them succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. Our experienced staff work closely with students and families to assess progress and determine the best course of action for each individual.

Our staff to student ratio is 1:4.  They are all certified in First AID, CPR, CPI (crisis prevention training), and also trained in our program-specific modalities.

Our therapists use a combination of the Neuro-Affective Relational Model (NARM), Collaborative Problem-Solving, Adventure Therapy, and evidence-based treatment modalities. We focus on healing the relational trauma, which is defined as a disruption in a child’s sense of safety and well-being due to inconsistent relationships, which leads to grief, loss, and attachment issues. Learn more about our therapeutic modalities here. 

Physical wellbeing is held paramount, as we have included numerous activities and interventions into Equinox programming that focus on the improvement of the physical health of the students we serve. Our stunning Western North Carolina campus is located on 150+ acres and is ripe for adventure and activity. We present a variety of adventure activities including hiking, fly fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and more. Learn more about our commitment to health and fitness here. Every morning before school, students participate in PE. Our students make full use of our tennis court, weight room, basketball court/gym, and baseball field.

Equinox RTC provides a comprehensive academic program that is tailored to each individual’s unique needs and strengths. The program offers small class sizes, certified teachers who are experienced in working with students who have specific academic and emotional needs, integration of academics and therapy, additional support for different learning styles, and college and career counseling and preparation. This approach to education and academic support is designed to help students achieve academic success while addressing underlying emotional or behavioral issues, preparing them for success beyond their time at Equinox RTC. Learn more about our academics here. 

We focus on intensive family therapy, with weekly family sessions, weekly parent support groups, quarterly seminars, and campus visits. Visitation happens once every four to six weeks, with students going home more regularly as they approach the end of the program.

At Equinox RTC, aftercare support is an essential component of our program. As students approach the end of the program, they begin going home more regularly, and they meet on campus with a transition group of students who are also heading home soon. After graduation, a therapist maintains communication with the family for 60 days to ensure the student has support services in place for improved outcomes. These support services are paid for if the student graduates from the program. Our goal is to provide ongoing support to students and families as they transition back into their home communities and maintain the progress they’ve made while at Equinox RTC.

With decades of experience working with adolescents in residential treatment, our founding team developed a clinically intensive, trauma-informed, neurologically-based, and adventure-filled program focused on the specific challenges and needs of teenagers. The Equinox Difference focuses on respected, evidence-based approaches to the recovery from trauma, loss, depression, anxiety, relationship deterioration, and impulsive and addictive behaviors. Our holistic approach–which treats the mind, body, and soul–is just one aspect that sets us apart from other treatment programs for teens. Read more about the Equinox Difference  here.