Our 'Therapeutic Model' at Pathways

Most adolescents and young adults who have yet to forge an independent identity are basically peer driven. More than anything else, the dominant peer culture that they are exposed to is what shapes their internal thoughts, values, and behaviors.

With our high staff student ratio, we are the dominant peer culture.  Our ideals and values are sober and sound. But they are not taught as much as they are lived by our staff who live with our students, 24 hours a day.  We understand that therapy does not have to be directed by a person who checks in with the client for 1 to 2 hours per week. We live the therapy on a daily basis and work to maintain the positive peer culture that we create.

Family Environment

In older traditions, in many indigenous tribes and even in Western society prior to the Industrial Revolution, young men often were separated from their families and set up to live exclusively with a group of select elders who would act as mentors. This was a time where an adolescent, according to the Hero's Journey pioneer Joseph Campbell, was to learn how to become a man. This dynamic is so universal and effective because the elders were not just teachers but became the peers and friends of the young initiate.  The result of this type of arrangement is that our students  reach up for companionship and as they begin to think, feel, and act on a higher level.

Playing a live show

Our exciting and healthy lifestyle abroad, led by our energetic young staff, is effective because the situation we create is so compelling.  Students are less inclined to reinforce negative ideation when 
they are overwhelmed with creative, physical, and community service activities that engage them completely. Recording original music, speaking Spanish, making new friends in a new language, doing community service, exploring another country’s geography and culture, exercising and eating healthy - all of these things take our young clients out of the old familiar, peer-driven ways of living and intrinsically demand of them maturity, responsibility, and a  joyful approach to living.

The environment we construct is structured, controlled and always supervised, but at the same time it is relaxed and positive.  Although staff continually supervises our environment, we are able to create a sense of freedom within the framework of our diverse program.  We regularly bring in dinner guests consisting of  our responsible adult friends who fraternize with our students, share with them their experiences, and show them the benefits of living responsibly and creatively.

We are happy to answer any questions or concerns consultants or prospective parents might have.  We are currently based in Chile and have several openings for our trip to Spain for the Fall and Winter of 2012-13.  Please feel free to contact us at by phone at 208-980-7371 or email at pathwaysedu@yahoo.com.