In Balance Counseling: Intensive Outpatient Program

Joseph Rivera _{on Google}

Feb 28th, 2022

Ather is a remarkable and enlightened counselor. His practical approach to group therapy derives from his experience working with others at In Balance Ranch Academy.

Liz Wylie _{on Google}

Jan 14th, 2022

My son left our home in Feb, 2020, and flew from NJ to CA to attend a residential treatment facility. He was struggling with substance abuse (addicted to marijuana), depression, anxiety, and some suicide ideation. He was 17 years old. After a few weeks at the residential treatment facility, it was recommended that he attend a longer, therapeutic boarding school because returning home to the same environment was not going to work! After a lot of research on my own, talking to various programs,
and parents of kids who were at various programs, I spoke to Patrick Barrasso from In Balance Ranch Academy. He convinced my husband and I that this was the place for our son. So shortly thereafter, our son was transported to the ranch. Although it was very hard at first....in terms of a new location, climate, school, people, program, etc. our son slowly began to adjust and grow. He worked with an incredible therapist weekly doing individual, family and group sessions. He also worked with other therapists in groups and participated in equine therapy (our son told us he hated horses when he first arrived......and by about 3 months in, he begged us for extra equine therapy sessions!). The school program helped our son stay current with his classes, he was able to work out daily, play basketball, go on outings, trips, attend meetings, and make lifelong friends. But most importantly, our son learned to accept himself again, his self confidence reappeared, and he started to rebuild his life. He has carried the tools he learned at In Balance with him and is currently waiting to hear back from colleges to attend in the fall. He still talks to his therapist from In Balance weekly, speaks/texts his friends from the ranch everyday, and wants to go back to work at the ranch this Summer. I can not speak highly about the staff at In Balance, the Barrasso family and their commitment to excellence, and the education/support our family received while our son's life was saved.

Floyd Adams _{on Google}

Nov 29th, 2021

The therapeutic ranch for boys is an absolutely horrid program. In Balance present a pretty picture, but in reality everyone is desperate to leave. People will say and do whatever necessary to get out, and in many ways revert to prior habits afterwards. There is a significant lack of communication in many ways. I am also aware of an iffy incident on campus. I would recommend against this program and suggest to look elsewhere.