Summit Achievement

About Summit Achievement – Stow, Maine

Summit Achievement in Fryeburg, Maine, provides a special program for 13 to 20 year olds who are struggling with substance abuse or experimentation. This licensed and accredited residential treatment center is located in the stunning White Mountains region of Maine. Through the integration of classroom academics, adventure therapy expeditions, and engaging therapy, their approach capitalizes on the therapeutic potential of outdoor activities in conjunction with a structured learning environment.

They focus on five main areas in their program. They arrange adventure therapy expeditions four days a week. This encourages confidence, self-worth and personal accomplishment by halting self defeating behaviors. Three day a week academic classes that employ a blended learning approach allow students to earn transferable credits through a multidisciplinary curriculum tailored to their needs.

In a nurturing residential community, students practice newly learned social skills which facilitates their transition from wilderness experiences to a home like or boarding school setting. Through weekly, individual and group sessions led by mental health professionals with masters degrees, client centered therapy addresses specific treatment concerns. The foundation of their therapeutic approach is daily group processing which guarantees that students interact with their peers in a meaningful way.

Involving the family is essential to the therapeutic process, which emphasizes the student’s return to their family. In addition to attending up to three in person family therapy sessions and helping with treatment planning, parents also attend weekly sessions via video conference or phone.

Each week, students advance through one of six levels in the program which normally lasts six weeks. However, based on specific needs, the duration could go up to eight weeks or longer. Teams of no more than eight students are formed, and each team is assisted by a committed group of mentors who offer guidance, instruction and therapeutic rapport.

As students progress in the program, the emphasis shifts from identifying self defeating behaviors to developing self management and leadership skills. At the end of their journey they are equipped to accept accountability for their choices, deeds and feelings. This guarantees that they depart with useful skills for their future.

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Our Team

Nichol Ernst, LCSW, LADC

Clinical Director, CEO, Owner

Anson McNulty, BA

Executive Director, Owner

Shannon H. Palentchar, BS

Admissions Director

Nate Andrew, BFA

Program Director

Doug Dobkowski, MEd

Academic Director

Monique Britt, BS

Business Manager

Barb Lang, BA

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Mike Deluca, LCSW

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