The Evidence Base for Private Therapeutic Schools, Residential Programs, and Wilderness Therapy Program

In the past 10 years, a growing body of evidence has accumulated documenting the effectiveness of private therapeutic schools, residential programs, and wilderness therapy programs. This body of research is comprised of studies led by university faculty with the oversight of federally recognized institutional review boards. Collaborative studies have been conducted among NATSAP member programs as well as at individual NATSAP programs. There are five major research initiatives that, combined together, provide a growing base of research support for private therapeutic programs. These research initiatives are particularly ambitious: many use large samples, longitudinal designs, multiple research sites, multiple informants, and “gold standard” outcome measures.