FAQs

Gateway is distinguished by five core touchstones:

Therapy that is individualized. Gateway therapists have expertise in multiple therapeutic methodologies and techniques. Drawing from their broad knowledge base, they design thoughtful, sophisticated treatment plans to support each youth's unique strengths and needs.

Education that is personal. Gateway teaches to each youth—not just to a curriculum. Every youth is challenged and supported within their own ability as they learn to think critically, communicate effectively, and become a life-long learner.

Exploration that is therapeutic. Gateway’s activities safely challenge teens socially, emotionally, and physically. These opportunities are a therapeutic tool to help our youth push themselves, learn how to form healthy relationships, practice cooperation, and develop life skills.

Community that is empowering. Gateway’s small, home-like environments provide the nurturing young people need to thrive and the safety to practice positive relationships. Through staff mentoring, peer interactions, group activities, and volunteer service, teens learn self-advocacy, life skills, and self-confidence.

Fitness that is focused. Gateway's youth participate in targeted exercise and deliberate physical movement in therapy, school, and their community. When movement is focused and performed at specific times, it not only improves their physical health, it also prepares the youth to learn, sparks motivation, helps regulate emotions, and enhances self-esteem.

Families play a vital role in Gateway's treatment process. Parent and family contact and involvement is crucial to each young person's healing and growth at Gateway. Beginning the first week of your child's stay, you will have weekly virtual family therapy sessions with them and their therapist. They will also have weekly social phone calls with you. Gateway also encourages unlimited letter writing and emailing of letters. Additionally, Gateway has Parent Workshops every three months, where parents attend a four-day therapeutic experience along with their teen and other parents. Parent Support and Education Groups are offered weekly via Zoom.

Gateway's treatment philosophy centers on optimizing our youths' growth and learning through exposure to the real world and community we live in. This is why our homes are located in more urban settings that provide access to cultural, recreational and social activities in our neighborhood. As our youth progress through our phase system, their ability to interact with the community around them increases. Some of our community-based opportunities include volunteer projects, social outings, movies, water parks, weekly use of local recreation centers, etc. All of our youth, new and veteran, are able to go off campus, to participate in our Outdoor Experiential program and to engage in community activities. 

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that includes youth of all genders and sexualities, as well as individuals exploring their sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression.  At Gateway, we provide a safe and nurturing space for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families.  We respect each youth's right to individually identify gender as male, female, or nonbinary.  Gateway recognizes and supports a youth's internal sense of gender, which may be different from their assigned sex at birth.  Gateway supports gender expression, such as a youth's behavior, clothing, hairstyle, activities, mannerisms, and body characteristics.

Gateway has a flexible length of stay, based on your teen's and family’s progress in treatment. Your primary therapist and the Gateway clinical team, together with you as a parent, determine when your teen has progressed to the point where they are prepared for the next step in life. Overall, the typical length of stay for our youth ranges between eight to ten months.

Gateway's academic program is rigorous yet supportive, and is accredited through Cognia and the State of Utah. Class sizes are small, typically with 4-8 youth per class. For more on academics at Gateway, click here.

Gateway is accredited through Cognia and thus, can accept all accredited school credits (including credits earned out of the country).

Credit earned at Gateway is transferable to any other accredited high school or college. When a student transitions to another school, we will provide a cumulative transcript that will reflect all high school credits earned, which will facilitate a seamless transition the next school.

Some wilderness and short-term treatment academic programs are accredited and others are not. If the program is accredited, all grades and credits a youth earns will be transferred into Gateway as they would from any accredited school. Typically, teens can earn credit in wilderness in English, P.E., Science, and Psychology.

If the program is not accredited, Gateway will not include any coursework or grades from the previous program on the cumulative transcript.

Gateway is not affiliated with any one specific religious organization. We strive to meet the religious needs of those youth who request participation in their chosen denomination.

Yes! We are licensed to work with adolescent boys and transgender students ages 14 - 17. On occasion we can consider enrolling an eighteen-year-old. Please call the Admissions Office to discuss this further if your child falls in this age group. 

Yes, we work with many school districts throughout the nation, several of which we directly contract with. We are an approved NPA/NPS in several states. If you are working with a school district to help fund your youth's stay at Gateway, we can help.  Please contact the admissions office to discuss how we can assist you in working with your school district.

Yes, we work with many insurance carriers.  Gateway is licensed by the State of Utah to provide Residential Treatment Services.  Whether you will receive coverage for Gateway's services will be dependent on the terms of your personal insurance policy.  Navigating insurance for mental health services is a complicated and challenging road.  We work with insurance billing agencies that are experts in the mental health world, who can help you determine what coverage you have, and help you bill your insurance carrier.

Yes. Most of the adolescents we serve struggle with anxiety that interferes with school, relationships, or daily life. Through individualized therapy, group therapy, mindfulness practices/mindful movement, family involvement, academics, and experiential learning, we help students develop healthier coping skills, build resilience, and gain greater confidence. Our goal is to help each student manage anxiety in healthy ways while continuing to grow emotionally, socially, and academically.

How does Gateway support adolescents with ADHD and executive functioning challenges?

Gateway Academy supports adolescents with ADHD and executive functioning challenges through a comprehensive, individualized approach that addresses both academic and emotional needs. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with each student to strengthen skills such as organization, time management, planning, emotional regulation, and self-advocacy.

Students benefit from small class sizes, personalized academic support, therapeutic services, and structured routines designed to build confidence and independence. We recognize that ADHD often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns, so treatment plans are tailored to address the whole adolescent—not just a diagnosis.

Our goal is to help students develop practical strategies that improve success in school, strengthen relationships, and prepare them for a successful transition home and into the future.

Gateway Academy may be the right fit if your adolescent is struggling with emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges that have not improved with traditional outpatient therapy or school-based support. We work with students experiencing anxiety, depression, school refusal, ADHD, executive functioning challenges, ASD Level 1, trauma, emotional dysregulation, technology overuse/misuse, family conflict, low self-esteem, and difficulty succeeding in traditional school settings.

Our integrated research-based approach combines individualized therapy, family involvement, accredited academics, and experiential learning within a structured residential environment. If you're unsure whether Gateway is the best fit for your child, our admissions team is available to answer your questions, discuss your family's unique situation, and help you determine the most appropriate next step.

Absolutely. We encourage prospective families to visit our campus to learn more about Gateway Academy, meet members of our team, and experience our community firsthand. Touring campus is a great way to ask questions, explore our academic and residential environment, and determine whether Gateway is the right fit for your family.

Once a student is enrolled, family involvement remains an important part of the treatment process. We welcome family visits at appropriate times during your child's stay and encourage ongoing participation in their journey. We also host quarterly parent workshops that provide education, support, and opportunities to connect with other Gateway families. These workshops are designed to strengthen family relationships and help parents feel confident supporting their adolescent's continued growth and success.

We understand that families often reach out during a stressful time and may need support as quickly as possible. Our admissions team does everything we can to accommodate each family's timeline while ensuring that Gateway Academy is the right fit for your adolescent.

Our admissions process is thorough and individualized. We carefully review your application, previous evaluations and assessments, educational records, and other relevant documentation. We also spend time getting to know your family by talking with parents about their child's history, strengths, challenges, and goals. Your perspective is an essential part of the admissions process and helps us understand your adolescent beyond what is captured in reports and records.

When appropriate, we also consult with therapists, educational consultants, physicians, and other professionals involved in your child's care to gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs.

This thoughtful approach helps us determine whether Gateway can provide the level of support your adolescent needs and allows us to begin developing an individualized plan for a successful transition into our program. Throughout the process, our admissions team will communicate closely with your family and work diligently to move forward as efficiently as possible.

Bullying can have a profound impact on an adolescent's emotional well-being, self-esteem, relationships, and ability to succeed in school. Many teens who have experienced bullying also struggle with anxiety, depression, school refusal, social withdrawal, or a loss of confidence. At Gateway Academy, we provide a safe, supportive environment where students can begin to heal from these experiences.

Our small, relationship-centered community gives adolescents the opportunity to form meaningful connections, practice healthy communication, and experience positive social interactions in a structured and supportive setting. As students grow emotionally and socially, they are better equipped to navigate future relationships with resilience, confidence, and self-advocacy.

School refusal is often a symptom of an underlying challenge rather than the problem itself. Anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, learning differences, executive functioning issues, technology overuse, bullying, social difficulties, or overwhelming stress can all contribute to a teen's inability to attend school consistently.

At Gateway Academy, we take the time to understand the factors contributing to each student's school refusal and develop an individualized plan to address those underlying needs. Through a combination of therapeutic support, accredited academics, executive functioning coaching, and a structured, nurturing environment, students gradually rebuild confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and re-engage with learning.

One of the hallmarks of our program is the close collaboration between our clinical and academic teams. Rather than working independently, therapists, teachers, and mentors communicate regularly to ensure each student's emotional and educational needs are addressed together. This integrated approach allows us to provide consistent support, make thoughtful adjustments as students progress, and create an environment where therapeutic growth and academic success reinforce one another.

Our goal is not simply to get adolescents back into a classroom, but to help them feel emotionally safe, capable, and successful as learners. By addressing both the emotional and academic aspects of school refusal, we help students regain confidence in themselves and establish a foundation for long-term success both in school and beyond.

Yes. Many parents contact us because they're concerned that their teen spends too much time on their phone, social media, video games, or other digital devices. Excessive technology use can affect sleep, school performance, relationships, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

At Gateway Academy, we recognize that technology is an essential part of everyday life, and today's adolescents need to learn how to navigate a digital world—not avoid it altogether. Our goal is not simply to limit technology use, but to help students develop healthy, responsible, and intentional habits that will serve them long after they leave Gateway Academy. Our clinical team works with each student to understand the role technology plays in their life and address any underlying emotional or behavioral concerns that may be contributing to unhealthy patterns of use.

We educate students about the potential risks associated with excessive screen time, social media, gaming, pornography, and online interactions while helping them develop practical strategies for creating healthier boundaries and making thoughtful choices. We re-introduce technology slowly and intentionally.

Our structured residential environment provides opportunities for students to reconnect with peers, engage in meaningful activities, build real-world relationships, and discover interests beyond their screens. By the time students transition home, our hope is that they have developed the awareness, skills, and confidence to use technology as a positive tool—one that supports their well-being rather than controls their lives. Additionally, we provide parents with support and education about managing technology in the home.

Outpatient therapy can be an effective and important resource for many adolescents, but some teens need a higher level of support to make meaningful progress. If your child continues to struggle despite participating in therapy, or if emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges are significantly affecting their daily life, relationships, safety, or ability to function, it may be time to consider a more comprehensive level of care.

Families often seek additional support when a teen is experiencing challenges such as persistent anxiety or depression, school refusal, declining academic performance, social isolation, emotional dysregulation, family conflict, difficulty with independence, or challenges related to trauma or significant life transitions.

At Gateway Academy, we provide an integrated therapeutic and academic environment designed to support adolescents who need more than weekly therapy alone. Our clinical and academic teams work closely together to address the whole student—emotional well-being, relationships, learning needs, and personal growth. Through individualized therapy, family involvement, structured routines, and meaningful academic support, students have the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence needed for lasting success.

Determining the right level of care is an important decision, and every adolescent’s needs are unique. Our admissions team is available to help families understand their options, answer questions, and explore whether Gateway Academy may be an appropriate fit for their child.

At Gateway Academy, being owner-operated means that leadership is personally invested in the success of every student, family, and staff member. Our owners are actively involved in the day-to-day life of the academy—not removed from it. They are present on campus, accessible to families, engaged with students, and work alongside our team to ensure that Gateway's mission and values remain at the heart of every decision.

This hands-on approach helps preserve the culture and relationships that have defined Gateway since 2002. Decisions are made with students' best interests in mind, guided by the long-term vision of the program rather than short-term business priorities. Families can feel confident knowing that the people leading Gateway are deeply connected to the community and committed to maintaining the personalized, relationship-centered environment that has helped more than 1,000 families over the past two decades.

For us, being owner-operated isn't simply a business model—it's a commitment to remaining present, accountable, and personally invested in helping every adolescent and family who entrusts us with their journey.

Executive functioning skills are the mental processes that help adolescents plan, organize, manage time, regulate emotions, solve problems, and follow through on responsibilities. When these skills are underdeveloped, even bright and capable teens may struggle with school, completing assignments, managing daily routines, or staying motivated.

At Gateway Academy, we recognize that executive functioning challenges are often connected to underlying issues such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, learning differences, or emotional stress. Rather than focusing only on the behaviors parents see—such as procrastination, disorganization, or missed assignments—we work to understand the underlying factors contributing to those challenges.

Our integrated approach combines therapeutic support, individualized academics, and residential life to help students strengthen executive functioning skills in real-world situations. Because our clinical, academic, and residential teams work closely together, students receive consistent support and coaching throughout their day. The strategies they learn in therapy are reinforced in the classroom, during daily routines, and in their interactions with staff and peers.

In addition, every Gateway student participates in a dedicated course called Learning Strategies, which is designed to explicitly teach and strengthen executive functioning skills. Through instruction, guided practice, and real-world application, students learn strategies they can continue to use long after they leave Gateway.

Topics covered in Learning Strategies include:

• Planning and prioritizing tasks

• Time management and organization

• Goal setting and follow-through

• Emotional regulation and frustration tolerance

• Flexible thinking and problem-solving

• Study skills and effective learning strategies

• Self-advocacy and communication

• Independent decision-making and responsibility

Rather than relying on adults to manage every aspect of their day, students gradually build the confidence and independence needed to take greater ownership of their responsibilities. Because these skills are reinforced across academics, therapy, residential life, and the Learning Strategies curriculum, students have multiple opportunities each day to practice what they are learning in meaningful, real-life situations.

We believe executive functioning skills can be taught, practiced, and strengthened over time. By providing individualized support, explicit instruction, consistent expectations, and opportunities to apply these skills every day, we help students become more organized, resilient, and confident in their ability to navigate school, relationships, and the challenges of everyday life.

Gateway Academy is known for providing a relationship-based, evidence-informed approach that supports the whole adolescent—not just the challenges they are experiencing.

At the heart of Gateway is the belief that meaningful growth happens through strong, trusting relationships. Our students are known as individuals, not defined by a diagnosis. We take the time to understand each adolescent’s strengths, experiences, goals, and needs while creating a supportive community where they can build confidence, develop skills, and reconnect with their potential.

Our program combines compassionate, relationship-centered care with evidence-based therapeutic practices. Our clinical team uses proven approaches tailored to each student's unique needs while continually evaluating progress and adjusting support to help students achieve meaningful growth.

A defining feature of Gateway is our true integration across all areas of the program. Our clinical, academic, and residential teams work closely together every day to provide a consistent and coordinated approach. Rather than therapy, academics, and residential life operating separately, each department collaborates to ensure that every aspect of a student's experience supports their emotional growth, academic success, and personal development.

This integrated model allows us to address the whole adolescent—helping students strengthen relationships, develop healthy coping skills, build confidence, and prepare for success beyond Gateway.