Revised: 03/05/07

Interview Questions For Consumers, Parents And Professionals

When you have finally come to the conclusion that your child needs a wilderness therapy program, you have basically two options. 

Option 1 -  Do It Yourself.  Make a list of each program, contact each program, interview the program, visit the programs that seem appropriate, interview staff and tour their facilities, make personal  contacts in the program, talk to people outside the program who can recommend the program, and then decide on which placement would best meet the  family needs. 

Option 2 - Hire A Qualified, Certified or Licensed Professional Consultant.  A qualified consultant will be knowledgeable about programs and will help you in making the best decision. Consultants have experience with programs as well as information about programs that you be able to obtain from a program.  Professional consultants have personal contacts in programs and know parents as well as students who have completed programs. 

For those consumers, parents and professionals who would prefer to "Do It Yourself", there are a number of important questions that you will need to have answered in order for you to get the most out of your phone interviews and visit to programs. The following list cannot replace the importance of professional consultation when referring a child to a program.

Warning Signs

1. There are no licensed mental health professionals that you can speak with who will be responsible for you child's safety and well-being.

2. The program cost less than $200 a day.

3. The program is making promises that sound too good to be true (i.e. vastly different from other programs)

4. The program is not monitored or inspected by the State in which the program resides.

5. The program will not out their promises or assurances in writing.

GENERAL QUESTIONS TO ASK

1. What is your name and position? 
2. Are you a licensed medical or mental health professional?
3. How long have you worked in this wilderness program? What jobs have you had? Have you ever worked in the field as an instructor, guide or therapist?
4. How long has your program existed? 
5. Has the program undergone a change in ownership in the past 2 years?
6. Who is the program director? How long have they been there? 
7. Is your program licensed or accredited? With what organization or agency? 
8. Is there a licensed professional in your program who will be directly responsible for my child's safety and well-being?
9. Is your program co-ed?
10. What is the staff to student ratio?
11. How may students have graduated or completed your program?
12. How many students graduate each month? When are graduations normally?
13. Who is responsible and supervises the field program? What are their qualifications and are they licensed?
14. Who supervises the program's therapists? What are their qualifications and are they licensed?
15. What type of students are accepted in your program?
    1. drug and alcohol problems?
    2. psychiatric medications?
    3. criminal background?
    4. violence or assault?
    5. sexual assault or rape?
16. Can your provide me with a summary of your program's policies and procedures?
17. What are the qualifications of your staff?
    1. college education
    2. trained in CPR and first aide?
    3. training as a wilderness first responder?
    4. trained in search and rescue?
    5. crisis intervention?
18. How are new staff trained before they start working with students?
19. Are new staff background checks completed and verified before the staff starts work?
20. Are all your counselors and therapists licensed? Do you have copies of their licenses?
21. What is the education range and qualifications for your counselor and therapists?
22. Do you have a licensed psychologist who works with staff and students in the program?
23. Do you have a consulting psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner available? 
24. Do you have a nurse on staff who can consult with staff or see students in the field if necessary?
25. Is there a licensed person dispensing and monitoring medications?
26. Are your medical policies and procedures under the direction of a licensed medical health care provider who is on staff or is at least affiliated with your program?
27. Can you give me a copy of the medical procedures in the case of injury, illness or other health problems?
28. Can you give me a copy of the emergency procedures that are followed in the event of accident or serious injury?
29. How much and how often do students receive professional counseling or  therapy? 
30. Are your counselors and therapist's required to follow the ethical standards required under their license?
31. Do you have a copy of the program's therapeutic model for supervising, educating and counseling students?
32. Can you give me a copy of the program's educational and written requirements that students must complete as part of their program?
33. Does the program have an educational component and is the educational program fully accredited with transferable credits?
34. How do you handle students with learning disabilities?
35. Please explain the psychological and social structure of program?
36. Why do students change within the program structure you provide?
37. What recreational opportunities are provided? When and how often?
38. What is the minimum length of stay in the program?
39. What is the average length of stay for a student?
40. What is the longest stay?
41. Can you give an estimate of how long a child like mine will need to be in your program to succeed?
42. Do some students graduate before their parents think they are ready to come home?
43. How many of your graduates go home and how many go to other programs? Why?
44. How can I communicate with my child if I need to?
45. What support services or trainings do you offer to parents?
46. What  involvement is necessary from parents?
47. How do you handle misbehaviors? Runaways? Combative behavior?
48. What is your philosophy on medication and the use of medications in the program?
49. How is your program different or unique from other programs?
50. How is communication handled between incoming and outgoing staff members?
51. What educational services do you offer for students with unique learning styles?
52. What is the minimum level of experience for a staff person in order to lead a group, be a head instructor or senior guide?
53. What is the turnover rate of staff members? (6 months is average, 1 year is exceptional)
54. What do you do to keep your staff from burning out?
55. Who is directly responsible to monitor the behavior of staff and their interactions with students?
56. Who is ultimately responsible for my child's health, safety and well-being and what is their experience and qualifications? 
57. Has you program had any complaints filled by parents with public authorities that were sustained?
58. Has your program's permit, license or accreditation been suspended or revoked?
59. Can you give me the names and phone numbers of parents who have a child who graduated more than 6 months ago? 

If you know of a program, or would like your program listed on our site, please send the internet address to  Webmaster@Wilderness-Programs.Org or you may submit your program on line at www.Wilderness-Programs.Org/SubmitProgram.html. We reserve the right to not list a program.