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PREMIER ISSUE
PARADIGM
MAGAZINE
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
GIFTED
Ben Hietala
STUDENT PROGRAM
Helping high achievers find balance
EXPRESSIVE
arts THERAPY
Seeking wholeness through artistic expression
SHIFTING
the
TREATMENT
PARADIGM
Founders Dr. Jeff Nalin and Cole Rucker
{
{
OUTCOME
STUDY
PEPPERD INE UNIVERSIT Y
Teen
ATHLETES PROGRAM
Promoting an active, healthy lifestyle for youth
PA R A D I G M
APRIL 2016
1
1st EDITION
PARADIGM
MAGAZINE
ELIANA KATZ
Senior Editor
NATALIA CHYDZIK
Associate Managing Editor
JENNY SHERMAN
Copy Editor
FEATURES
KENDL ULLMAN
Art Director
SHIFTING THE TREATMENT PARADIGM
CHRIS BAGÔT
ERIC HAJJAR
JSR PHOTOS
An introduction to Paradigm Malibu by its Founders
Dr. Jeff Nalin and Cole Rucker
l 2
Contributing Photographers
SCARLET BARBER
JASON DEAN
SKYLER DEAN
SAMANTHA HENSCHEL
JENNY SHERMAN
Contributing Writers
HEALTHY EATING FOR HEALTHY LIVING
Nutrition; from garden to table
A REFINED BALANCING ACT
l 15
Mental health in harmony with academics
SPEAKER SERIES
l 17
Super Model Amber Valetta shares her recovery story
with Paradigm Youth
HEALTH AND FITNESS
l 19
Lou Ferrigno, Jr. talks therapy and fitness
ART AS MEDICINE
l 21
Healing patients through artistic expression
PEPPERDINE OUTCOME STUDY
l 23
An outside view on Paradigm’s success
INSPIRATION JUST AHEAD
l 27
Paradigm's Experiential Therapy Continuum
A TOUCHDOWN FOR PARADIGM
Paradigm's Teen Athletes Program
IN THE MEDIA
l 39
Highlights of Paradigm in the news
2
PA R A D I G M
APRIL 2016
l 31
l 7
MEET THE
SHIFTING the
FOUNDERS
TREATMENT PARADIGM
FOUNDER & CLINICAL DIRECTOR
FOUNDER & CEO
Dr. Jeff Nalin
Cole Rucker, MA
For almost 20 years, Cole and I have dedicated our lives to
improving the quality and effectiveness of treatment for young
people with mental health concerns. As many know, adolescent
treatment has a long history of offering compliance-based,
punitive therapies as a means to modify behaviors. These
approaches continue to be wide spread today, despite more than
60 years of research demonstrating that such interventions are
largely ineffective and rarely result in sustainable change.
At Paradigm Malibu, we have devoted ourselves to shifting
the paradigm of youth treatment through the creation and
implementation of a an empowerment-based treatment
model. Our model seeks to fully understand the emotional
underpinnings of maladaptive behaviors and create personal
insights. Through such efforts, young people are able to better
develop internalized motivators, gain a sense of mastery, feel
better, and ultimately do better.
At no time do we seek to break youth down, rather we work to
build them up. We strive to help them find value in approaching
their lives differently to get different results. This often times
includes efforts to assist them in seeing and understanding
themselves in new positive ways that ultimately allow them to
achieve their full potential. What could be more meaningful?
We thank you for taking time to explore our magazine. In addition,
we invite you to visit our website, www.paradigmmalibu.com,
give us a call or visit us in person. We welcome any opportunity
to share our work and the experiences of the courageous, talented
teens that we are honored to serve.
For much of our early careers, both Dr. Nalin and I were forced
to navigate treatment environments where young people struggling
with mental health issues were provided with inadequate care. Worse
yet, youth were often times treated with disregard, or as problems to
be managed. Treatment approaches were frequently cookie-cutter
and focused primarily on treating symptoms and containment of
behaviors. When we challenged or attempted to shift others away
from the use of outdated modalities, provided in less than optimal
milieus, we were often rebuffed with the retort that the treatment
was “industry standard”.
We soon learned to stop asking “why” and started asking “what
if.” What if we shifted the paradigm of teen treatment? What if
there were an adolescent treatment program where all young people
were treated with dignity and respect and were equal partners in
the creation and implementation of their treatment plans? What if
this treatment was for youth who were described by their teachers,
neighbors and families as “good kids who simply need help with
something,” a place for the bullied rather than bullies? What if these
young people were provided with individual therapy every day of
treatment, and medication was seen as a last resort rather than a
first? What if there were no phase systems or point systems? What
if the focus was helping young people find value in approaching
their lives differently to get different results? Years later, Paradigm
Treatment Centers, provide the answer to those questions; young
people thrive.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
2
CORE
PARADIGM MALIBU’S
BELIEFS
4
PA R A D I G M
APRIL 2016
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
THE EMPOWERMENT
IS AN IMPORTANT
OF YOUTH AND
COMPONENT OF
THEIR FAMILIES IS
ADOLESCENT
THE CORNERSTONE
TREATMENT AND
OF EFFECTIVE
AS SUCH MUST BE
TREATMENT.
SUPPORTED AND
ENCOURAGED.
TREATMENT
ALL ADOLESCENTS
MUST FOCUS ON
ARE DESERVING
THE EMOTIONAL
OF BEING TREATED
UNDERPINNINGS OF
WITH DIGNITY
BEHAVIORS RATHER
AND RESPECT.
THAN SIMPLY FOCUSING
ON BEHAVIORS
THEMSELVES.
THE PROVISION
OF SERVICES TO
TREATMENT MUST
ADOLESCENTS IS HIGHLY
BE REFLECTIVE OF
SPECIALIZED AND REQUIRES
REAL LIFE TO BE
A UNIQUE KNOWLEDGE
TRANSFERABLE AND
BASE AND SKILL SET.
SUSTAINABLE.
IT IS OUR JOB TO
TREATMENT
MOTIVATE YOUTH AND
SHOULD BE BUILT
HELP THEM FIND VALUE
ON A YOUTH’S
IN THEIR TREATMENT
STRENGTHS AND
EXPERIENCE.
ADOLESCENTS
SHOULD BE
ENGAGED AS FULL
PARTNERS IN THE
CREATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION
OF THEIR
INTERESTS.
FREE AFTERCARE
SERVICES ARE A
NATURAL AND
NECESSARY
EXTENSION OF
TREATMENT.
TREATMENT PLANS.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
4
S P OT L I GH T
STA F F
OLYMPIC
SILVER MEDALIST
A C HA MP I O N I N T R E A T M E N T
by Jenny Sherman
Therapist Markus Rogan brings a unique set of
experience and skills to his work with youth at
Paradigm. In addition to holding a Masters Degree
in Clinical Psychology, he is an accomplished
athlete having won two silver Olympics Medals in
swimming. This distinct blend makes him uniquely
qualified to provide therapeutic services to the
young athletes who come for residential treatment
at Paradigm. But getting where he is today took
tremendous dedication and commitment.
Markus was born in Vienna, Austria to a psychiatrist
mother and psychologist father. Swimming became
an escape for him when things were difficult at home.
The more he swam, the better he became, and the
more he fell in love with the sport. To him, the water
was a place of refuge, but he also thoroughly enjoyed
swimming and began to revel in the competitive
nature of the sport. Markus racked up medal after
medal and eventually represented Austria in the
2004 Olympic Games in Greece. He finished with
two silver medals—one in men’s 110 m backstroke,
and one in men’s 200 m backstroke. He quickly
became famous for his wins in his home country, and
the attention—the lavish gifts and endless positive
affirmations began to go to his head.
Markus elaborates on what he describes was once an
unquenchable need for attention, saying, “If I got
enough validation from the outside world, I thought
that I would finally be able to fill that emptiness
inside of me. And, as you can imagine, it didn’t
work. You can’t just keep chasing money and cars,
and all sorts of things, hoping it will fill what you
can’t fill yourself.” Markus goes on to say “athletes
receive loads of positive attention— so much so that
a distorted sense of self worth can manifest, and that
void to be filled can grow bigger and bigger.” Needless
to say, living that way wasn’t working for him. He
explains that he needed to channel his energy into
“something different, something to help others.”
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PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
Markus spent some time doing research in the psychiatric department at UCLA
where he was approached by a colleague who asked him, “Why don’t you consider
a career in mental health?” With that, Markus decided that he would give it a try.
He enrolled in graduate school and received a degree in psychology. He knew
there were ways in which his life needed to shift, so he slowly began making
changes, and much of that change came in the form of mindfulness. “There was a
lot more honesty and transparency with the people I loved.”
When Markus came to Paradigm Malibu, he was slightly skeptical because
the average length of stay was 45 days. “I knew the program had an excellent
reputation, and I was impressed by its success rate, and treatment model. But
I just couldn’t imagine how lives could be changed that quickly. I’m happy to
say that I was so wrong,” he recounts. “I’m always struck by the resident who
comes in shut off and unwilling to fully participate. Then, 30 to 45 days later,
that resident emerges as the leader of the group, and the person to connect
with other shut-off and unwilling teens that come into treatment. It’s one
of those magical moments. It’s beautiful,” he says of witnessing that kind of
transformation and empathy.
Markus Rogan and Paradigm Youth in a playful pool session.
Because of his athletic background, Markus works very closely with
the young athletes that come to Paradigm. Some are professional
athletes, others are high school students hoping for college
scholarships, and others are simply aspiring athletes who find joy
and a sense of mastery through sports. “I coordinate workouts,
and train with them,” Markus explains. “Someone who is a great
basketball player, we connect with an NBA player, and then we’ll
discuss the workouts they need to do, and then I’ll make sure they
actually do them—often times early in the morning.” One of the
perks of being situated in Malibu, is having the beach right in your
backyard. Many of the early morning workouts take place on the
sandy beaches of the Pacific—waking up at the crack of dawn is a
small price to pay for the experience of being surrounded by such
natural beauty. While working out, Markus works with the young
athletes to assist them in harnessing their mental skills: “What are
the things [they] need to do as an athlete to really perform when
it counts? Focus, training, commitment, managing [their] anxiety
under pressure,” he explains. “These are things that are transferable
to all of your life.”
In addition to working with athletes, Markus facilitates process
groups every morning with all the residents, and serves as a family
therapist. Having grown up in a psychologically minded family, he
says, “One of my favorite things is the multi-family process group,
where all the families come together. That’s where I think a lot of the
most meaningful change happens.” Paradigm knows that treatment
doesn’t start and stop at the teen; it involves the whole family.
Markus says that much of the real change happens when the family
is together doing the work. “[The family members] are able to find
a little bit more compassion… a little bit more understanding, and
on that, we can build a really strong foundation,” he says, adding,
“It’s not about fixing the kid. It’s about everyone in the family
working together to make changes.”
Having therapists like Markus is one of the things that make
Paradigm so special. An eclectic staff comprised of professionals
with diverse life experience and interests, all coming together to
support the healing process for each individual youth. Families who
come to Paradigm will tell you that Markus is not just a hero in his
birth country—he is their hero too.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
6
by Jenny Sherman
veryone has heard the saying “you are what you eat.” Never before, however, has there been more evidence to suggest
how true this old adage is, or how strong the link is between nutrition and mental health. Numerous studies now clearly
demonstrate that a poor diet can be a contributor to depression and other mental health concerns. Paradigm takes
seriously the impact a teen’s diet can have on their life—how it can cause, or at least be a factor, in their struggle to find
physical and emotional well being, and, ultimately, achieve their full potential. Paradigm doesn’t just talk to youth about
how to eat healthy—a conversation many teenagers scoff at. Rather, the focus is on engaging young people, helping them
gain an appreciation for nutritious food, and an understanding of where that food comes from. To top it all off, they get
to experience how delicious healthy food can actually be! From an in depth nutritional evaluation, to growing their own foods in an organic
garden, and finally enjoying the fruits of their labor in expertly prepared meals, Paradigm residents leave treatment more mindful of what
they put into their bodies, and how it impacts their physical and emotional well being.
Nutritional evaluations are provided by Paradigm’s Clinical Nutritionist, Jennifer Cassetta. She works directly with program participants
regarding nutrition and the mental and physical benefits of healthy eating—and in contrast, the devastating effects of having a poor diet.
Jennifer meets one-on-one with each client at Paradigm from the moment of his or her arrival. She then goes over their health history,
lifestyle, dietary intake and what their diet has been like up until that point. “It can be really disturbing, to be honest,” she says of some of
those meetings. Youth report skipping meals, eating processed foods, consuming a lot of sugar, cereal, fast food, energy drinks and coffee. She
is careful to add, “It’s not just teens who maintain diets like these. But eating this way from an early age can cause future health issues like
diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.” In an effort to impact such patterns, Jennifer teaches clients the concept of intuitive eating.
“Listening to the signals your body is giving you, eating until you’re full, and eating when you’re hungry,” she explains. Counting calories
is something she discourages clients from doing. But in many cases, diets are so poor that intuitive eating is not so intuitive, and requires a
formalized plan. This is, of course, always the case if the young person is diagnosed with an eating disorder.
7
PA R A D I G M
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According to Jennifer, skipping meals is one
of the worst things a teenager can do, and
one of the most common behaviors she sees.
She shared the story of one client who had a lot
of shame and guilt about overeating. This teen
would starve themselves through breakfast and
lunch, and then gorge on unhealthy foods after
school. Jennifer helped her see the correlation
between the shame and guilt and the behavior.
If you change the behavior, you take away
those negative feelings. The client began eating
three sound meals a day while in treatment,
and is now free of the overwhelming cravings
she had before. Cravings are another thing that
Jennifer tries to identify in clients—why they
crave what they crave, and in contrast, why
they aren’t craving anything, and are lacking
an overall appetite. Jennifer also works with
clients to identify foods that are both good for
them, and have the potential to bring them
joy. “People get excited when they learn that
many things that are good for them can also
taste so good. Nobody is being encouraged to
eat soggy broccoli,” she quips.
Asked to identify the single most important
issue she sees related to teen’s diets, Jennifer
soundly states, “Water consumption—most
kids do not drink water. Instead, they opt for
soda, coffee and energy drinks, and as a result,
they are severely dehydrated.” She goes on to
describe, “Being dehydrated definitely affects
[their] emotions and brain health—massively.
It also affects insulin and weight, and can take
away minerals from your bones.” Jennifer
uses the metaphor of a wilted flower. When
you don’t water a flower, it wilts. When you
water it, it blooms and blossoms. People are
the same way, and it is important for teens to
understand the significance of water intake in
their diets.
Clearly, healthy dietary habits play a critical
role in the overall treatment that takes place at
Paradigm. The nutrition evaluation is where
it all begins, but it continues with the organic
garden, and ends with chef prepared
meals that are both healthy and delicious.
Clinical Assistant Rachel Gordon is Paradigm’s
Organic Garden manager. Rachel has a BS
in Environmental Horticulture Science from
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and she enjoys
incorporating her love of gardening into her
work with the youth at Paradigm. Clients
regularly spend time in the garden picking
fruits and planting vegetables. This voluntary
activity gets them active and outside, into
nature—and Malibu provides the best there is.
Gardening also gives the
residents a sense of pride,
a sense of appreciation
for the food that they are
growing, and a different
perspective of their place
in the cycle of life.
According to Rachel, many enthusiastically get
involved in making sure that the organic source
continues to flourish, not just for themselves,
but also for youth who will come to Paradigm
in the future. “It’s something that the youth
love to participate in,” Rachel explains. “It’s
something that gives them ownership—over
their food, and taking care of plants—and
ultimately taking care of themselves.”
In the organic garden, residents plant and
harvest peppers, squash, herbs, strawberries
and citrus fruits, among other nutritious foods.
According to Rachel, gardening is absolutely
connected to nutrition and healthy eating.
“Growing your own fruits and veggies strikes
up conversations about how to incorporate
them into your everyday life, and how to
make your meals more balanced and more
nutritional, and how to actually bring that
into your cooking.” Many teens come into the
house after having eaten junk food for much
of their adolescence, and most embrace a
transition to healthy eating while at Paradigm,
that they will incorporate into their lives long
term. Rachel witnesses the change in youth all
the time. “It’s actually really cool to see. We
teach them with the garden, the nutritionist,
and with the chef as well. It’s tied together. We
slowly incorporate the healthy living aspect
into it, and the kids get really excited about it,”
Rachel says with her own excitement. “Having
ownership of their own food gets clients
genuinely interested in healthy eating, and
then they begin asking questions and engaging
even more.”
Food goes straight from the organic
garden, to the hands of a top-notch chef,
to the table. Paradigm employs multiple
professional chefs at each residential
location. They are tasked with working in
collaboration with the nutritionist to assist
teens in learning how to eat healthy AND
enjoy it. Each chef comes from a different
background, and each brings something
unique to the table. Residents are afforded
opportunities to partake of wide range of
cuisines ranging from Italian to French,
Californian, Indigenous, South American,
Ivorian and Fusion. Specialized meals are
designed to meet the needs of clients who
eat kosher, vegetarian or vegan, or those who
have allergies. But the chefs don’t just cook—
they are passionate about showing teens how
to cook and eat healthfully. Executive Chef,
Claudine LeMare states in a charming, thick
French accent, “Good food makes good life.
Every meal, we celebrate good choices.”
Historically, mental health practitioners have
put too little consideration into the role that
food and nutrition play in regard to emotional
well-being. The evidence is now clear: what
and when we eat impacts our mental health.
When teens are struggling with depression,
anxiety or substance dependence, the first,
and perhaps least, expected place to look
is their diets. Paradigm Malibu believes
strongly that medication isn’t always the best
or first answer—sometimes, the answer can
be found on the plate right in front of you.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
8
REASONS
P
aradigm Malibu utilizes innovative measures, combining both traditional and experiential therapy, ensuring the
efficacy of treatment—areas other programs fail to address. Every teen is an individual with distinct issues that
require personalized attention, and a unique set of needs to be met when it comes to their mental health treatment,
addiction treatment, trauma, and grief. Paradigm recognizes that the need for personalized treatment plans and giving
their clients the liberty to utilize one-on-one therapy every day is imperative for effective treatment. Additionally, the teens
engage in their own treatment plans, expressing what their needs and wants are, rather than being told what issues they
need to work on.
10
Therapists uncover the underlying emotions that catalyzed the teens’ behaviors, instead of fixating on surface issues.
While pinpointing those emotions, Paradigm also focuses on helping the youths identify their strengths and full potential
in order for them to succeed in life. Treatment teams instruct the teens on how to utilize tools toward that end, such as
determination, motivation, and direction. A Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist on staff, attentiveness
towards academic success, family participation, managing the right combination of medications, and rigorous admissions
screenings—these are just a few of the many reasons why Paradigm is so successful. This holistic approach, along with
the six to one staff to client ratio, is the reason why Paradigm’s method of treatment is so effective, rendering Paradigm as
the highest rated adolescent treatment program in the nation. And unlike some renowned chefs, Paradigm is not secretive
about their recipe. Paradigm will not only tell you how well their program works, alumni families will personally share their
testimony on how indispensable Paradigm’s treatment has been in improving the lives of their loved ones, as well as their
family dynamic. Instead of throwing the youths back into the world directly after treatment, like many other programs
do, they offer free aftercare to clients to help them transition back into the world. Paradigm intends quite simply to enable
youths to author and narrate their lives, ultimately telling a story they can be proud of.
PA R A D I G M
APRIL 2016
WE TREAT A SMALL NUMBER OF
YOUTH PER PROGRAM
Common sense dictates that programs that serve many adolescents
simultaneously have a disadvantage in terms of providing individual
care. Well meaning parents often times choose these programs
because they are heavily marketed, or simply because they are less
expensive. Some insurance companies even push these programs
for similar reasons. Unfortunately, these high volume treatment
mills tend to address only the most basic surface behaviors. Time is
generally spent with teens engaged in mass-produced curriculum and
busy work, or glorified babysitting supervised by paraprofessionals.
The end result is that the emotional underpinnings of the behaviors
that dictated the need for treatment remain unaddressed. This
greatly increases the likelihood that when one negative coping style
is extinguished, it will be replaced by another.
You don’t have to be a factory-sized teen rehab to be negatively
impacted by the number of youth in a treatment program.
Experience has taught us that in groups of 18 or more, some youth
are more likely to act out to demand attention. This can frequently
mean that teens that are more quiet or introverted will have their
needs unmet. This is one of many reasons that we have found six to
twelve youth to be the optimal range of adolescents to serve at any
one time.
WE PROVIDE THE HIGHEST
STAFF TO CLIENT RATIO IN THE NATION
While it is imperative to maintain a small group size to enhance
the effectiveness of treatment, it is equally important to maintain
a high staff to client ratio. During our primary treatment hours
our staff to client ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1:3. This prohibits quiet
youth from having their needs overshadowed by more gregarious
youth who seek out attention. It also keeps teens from simply flying
under the radar to avoid the challenges that come with making real,
sustainable changes. We are committed to maintaining a high staff
to client ratio to ensure that all young people get the support and
attention required to do the difficult work that quality residential
treatment entails.
OUR TREATMENT TEAM
IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED
While we take great pride in many of the features of our treatment
program, we are most proud of our treatment team. Each
professional member of our staff is licensed or credentialed in their
area of expertise. In addition, they have devoted their careers to the
provision of services to adolescents and their families.
It is important to note that all of our team members are listed
with photographs and bios on the team treatment page. You have
a right and a need to know who is going to be providing treatment
services. Multiple patient’s rights groups warn against seeking
treatment with programs that do not disclose the identity and
credentials of all staff members on their web sites. There are many
reasons a program might not list their staff members on their web
sites, and none of them are good.
Also, many prospective clients are interested to know that the core
of our treatment team has been working together for more than
fifteen years. This experience allows us to approach the treatment
process with the comfort and ease that only comes from working
with those who have earned your trust and respect over time. The
results are a treatment environment that is uniquely grounded,
stable and safe.
OUR ADMISSIONS SCREENING
IS RIGOROUS
While the most important factor to consider when choosing a
program is who will be providing treatment; the second most
important consideration has to be who you, or your loved one, will
be in treatment with.
Having provided adolescent residential treatment for more than 15
years, we have heard countless stories of parent’s worst fears realized.
They send their child to treatment only to have them bullied,
abused, or introduced to more destructive behaviors by teens with
serious conduct disorders, or emotional health issues.
For this reason we have rigorous admissions screenings. We do
not accept referrals from the Juvenile Justice system, young people
who have gang affiliations, histories of violence, fire starters, sexual
perpetrators, or any youth who might create issues around the
physical or emotional safety of our program. While all young people
deserve quality treatment, it imperative that we protect the milieu
for those that we serve.
WE TREAT THE
EMOTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS OF
PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS
At Paradigm Malibu, we believe that the only way to responsibly
and effectively treat adolescents is by addressing the emotional
underpinnings of problematic behaviors. If a teen is struggling
with an eating disorder, drug use, self-harm or any other behavioral
challenges – these are most often negative coping styles. Teens
frequently use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, or engage in
other destructive behaviors to avoid anxiety, depression, or other
emotional health issues. Programs that simply focus on behaviors
miss an opportunity to treat the real root cause of a young person’s
difficulties.
Research has demonstrated definitively that if you do not treat
the root cause of a behavioral issue, the issue will re-emerge after
treatment, or it will be replaced by a new negative coping style.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
10
COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
IS CONDUCTED BEFORE
TREATMENT BEGINS
Upon admission, every individual at Paradigm Malibu receives a
comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation, Psychological Assessment,
Medical Evaluation, Educational and Nutritional Assessment. While
it would again seem likely that this would be the norm in adolescent
treatment, it is not. In fact, many teen treatment programs only
consult a psychiatrist, psychologist, or medical professional after
weeks of behavior modification have passed and no progress has
been made. This wastes valuable treatment time and requires that a
young person have an unnecessary experience of failure.
It is our belief that it is impossible to create a meaningful,
individualized treatment plan without first conducting such
assessments. You have to know what you are treating to do
so effectively. Good testing also informs us of what treatment
modalities are likely to be the most impactful with each individual.
Basing treatment exclusively on behaviors, or the most obvious,
surface issues is a disservice to everyone involved. It is for this reason
that we provide all clients with comprehensive diagnostic testing
during their first 72 hours of treatment.
WE ACTIVELY SEEK OUT FEEDBACK
FROM YOUTH, PARENTS,
COLLEAGUES AND OTHER
TREATMENT INDUSTRY LEADERS
It isn’t by chance that Paradigm is Ranked Best in Adolescent
Treatment More Often Than Any Other Program. We routinely
seek out feedback from our clients, colleagues and other treatment
industry leaders, and implement changes based on said feedback.
While we believe that we are providing the highest quality of services
available, we never stop looking for how to do things better. The end
result is that we find ourselves rated the best in adolescent treatment
more often than any other treatment program. Our rankings
include but are not limited to Parent and School Counselor’s
Organizations, Teen Advocacy Groups and Treatment Professional
and Consumer Organizations. Of greater importance, our alumni
families consistently rate the quality of our services as exceptional.
Many have also participated in other treatment programs prior to
coming to Paradigm and can offer valid comparisons. You can learn
more by visiting our reviews and rankings page of our website at
www.paradigmmalibu.com
WE PROVIDE MULTIMODAL
FAMILY SERVICES
We recognize that all members of a family bring skills, abilities, and
liabilities to any given situation. Paradigm looks openly at all of
these areas to help each family grow, change, cope and make choices.
Quality family work is never about placing blame; rather, it is about
resolving conflicts and finding effective ways for the family unit
11
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
to help young people achieve their full potential. To accomplish
this, we offer individual family therapy, multi-family therapy,
parent effectiveness training, sibling groups and on-going parent
support services. We also host a family day once a week, complete
with parenting classes, family therapy and a luncheon. Of course,
some family members are unable to participate in some aspects
of treatment as the result of work commitments, geographic
location or other factors. For this reason, we provide services
telephonically, by videochat, or other means as needed. Out
team is available to answer questions and provide support to
families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Our
family support services are available to those who currently have
a loved one in treatment and as an on-going, complimentary
aftercare service for all program graduates.
WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE
ACADEMIC SERVICES
At Paradigm, we are uniquely positioned to help young people
meet their academic goals. Upon admission, all youth are provided
with an educational assessment designed to identify their academic
needs, wants and abilities. Students then join our on site, accelerated
learning classroom, lead by a credentialed teacher. Tutors from UCLA
and Pepperdine University, who provide one on one instruction as
needed, enhance the teacher’s efforts. When appropriate, with the
permission of parents, the teacher will coordinate with the student’s
home school to collect assignments and return the completed work
for grading. When required, we can also provide proctored testing.
The goal is always to get youth current, or even ahead in their
studies so that when they reintegrate they have one less stressor to
contend with.
The academic needs of students at Paradigm vary greatly. We provide
services to youth who excel in school and are enrolled in AP courses,
and youth who struggle with learning differences. Upon occasion,
young people are not even enrolled in a school. In such cases, we
can provide opportunities for students to earn transferable high
school credits, assist in finding a new school or provide instruction
for college entrance exams. Our small size, high staff-to-client
ration and wealth of resources allow us to meet each client’s unique
academic needs.
OUR TREATMENT IS INTENSIVE
The goal of effective treatment should be to get what you need
and then return to life as quickly as makes sense. Thirty days is
widely considered to be the norm for an adolescent’s residential
treatment stay.
Unfortunately, there are some providers who will ask that families
commit to longer stays before doing any diagnostic testing. There
are some who will require that commitment before even meeting
the adolescent seeking treatment.
More often than not, programs requiring a minimum stay of 45 days,
or longer, are not intensive in nature. A review of their treatment
schedule will likely reveal that valuable treatment time is wasted on
excessive chores, free community meetings, and other busy work.
In such cases, individual therapy may occur only once, or twice
weekly. Such an approach has been proven to provide poor longterm results. In fact, there are studies that suggest that long-term
treatment is sometimes most effective in teaching young people to
live in institutions. This is, of course, not our goal. We want young
people to be engaged in the real world and reclaim their lives.
At Paradigm, we believe that every moment spent in treatment
is precious, and should be leveraged for maximum therapeutic
value. As such, our schedule is packed with individual and group
therapy sessions every day, and is designed specifically to meet
each individual’s treatment goals. While it would be reasonable to
anticipate that this would be the norm in adolescent treatment,
it unfortunately is not. For example, we are currently the only
adolescent treatment program that provides youth with individual
therapy each and every day of treatment.
OUR TREATMENT APPROACH RESULTS
IN SUSTAINABLE CHANGE
To be meaningful and sustainable, changes that occur during the
course of treatment must be transferable to life. It is expressly for this
reason that we do not use point systems, phase systems, or other outdated
forms of behavior modification.
Unfortunately, a stunning number of teen rehabs continue to use
these archaic tools as the core of their residential programs. This is
sometimes because the providers are unaware that these systems were
deemed to have little, if any value for most as early as the 1970’s. More
often it is because they are unable, or unwilling, to do the deeper more
difficult work required to assist teens in achieving real, internalized
change. There is, frankly, no easier, cheaper way to provide teen
treatment than to use a point or phase system. Quality treatment
however, requires hard work and a much more sophisticated approach.
WE PROVIDE ONE OF THE LARGEST
VARIETIES OF CLINICAL SERVICES
No two clients respond to the same approach in the same way. One
young person may be very verbal, and thrive in traditional group
therapy, while another may find their voice through Art or Music
Therapy. Our goal is to see what works with each individual and do
more of it, building on each teen’s strengths and interests.
We use evidence-based treatments that couple the best of traditional
and alternative modalities. We find that this approach not only
enriches the experience for all, but that it is essential to effectively
meet the diverse and complex needs of teens.
Our extensive range of modalities include, but are not limited to:
Psychiatric Evaluations, Psychological Assessments, Nutritional
Evaluations, Educational Evaluations, Medical Evaluations,
Urinalysis, Individual Therapy, Group Therapy, Family Therapy,
Multi-Family Therapy, Psycho-Education Groups, Narrative Therapy,
Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
(CBT), Recreational Therapy, Neuro-Bio Feedback, Yoga, Somatic
Therapy, Acupuncture, Parent Effectiveness Training, Equine Therapy,
Gender Specific Groups, Sports Psychology Sessions, Animal Assisted
Therapy, and Accelerated Learning Services. We are also well known
for our comprehensive array of Expressive Arts Therapies including;
Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Poetry/
Written Therapies and Music Therapy.
IT IS OUR JOB TO MOTIVATE TEENS
While many young people seek out treatment for
themselves, others are pressed into participating by concerned
parents, or as the result of other external forces. Either circumstance is
common. Regardless, some families delay getting treatment because
of a popular myth that adolescents need to “hit bottom” before
seeking help. This myth is unfortunately re-enforced by treatment
providers who do not see motivating youth as their responsibility.
The real danger in this is that, for some, the bottom can be serious
harm or even death. There is no advantage in letting a young person
suffer with emotional health issues or engage in destructive behaviors
a day longer than is necessary. When working with teens there is also
ample evidence to suggest that the earlier a treatment intervention
takes place regarding emotional health or behavioral health issues, the
greater the likelihood of success. When young people come to us for
treatment, it is okay if they are resistant. It is our job to motivate them
and to help them find value in both treatment and in approaching
their lives differently.
OUR TREATMENT IS GENDER SPECIFIC
BUT NOT GENDER EXCLUSIVE
For most teens, gender exclusive treatment is not the best option.
Programs that treat only one gender, or who segregate genders, can
easily avoid important issues rather than address them. Numerous
studies support our belief that it is best to treat young people in a cogendered setting, as this best reflects real life.
If an issue is going to arise related to how an individual relates to the
opposite gender, we want that issue to come up during the course of
treatment so that we may address it accordingly. What we want to
avoid is creating an artificial, single gender environment in which the
teen may thrive – only to return them to a co-gendered world.
With that in mind, there is demonstrated value in providing gender
specific treatment, as long as it is provided, in a co-gender setting. As a
result, we provide specialized treatment designed to meet the unique
needs of young women and young men. The end result should be a
young person empowered with the skill and knowledge base required
to have appropriate, healthy relationships with persons of all genders.
WE EMPOWER TEENS AND
THEIR FAMILIES
At Paradigm Malibu, we believe that treatment based on empowering
our clients is the cornerstone of achieving effective long-lasting
results. Too often, treatment programs for adolescents are based on
rigid directives and the belief that treatment is about breaking young
people down. We believe that it is our job to lift our clients up, build
on their strengths and interests and help them see the benefit in
approaching their lives differently. Treatment programs that consist of
having young people simply behave as they are told to are
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12
missing key opportunities to identify and understand the fundamental
issues behind clients’ outward behaviors. Each treatment modality
that our clients are engaged with are designed to improve a young
persons ability to learn to identify, choose, and direct the course of
their own lives in a healthy way. Numerous studies support what we
have always known that real, sustainable, internalized change is best
achieved through the empowerment of youth and their families.
OUR TREATMENT IS STRENGTH
AND INTEREST BASED
Mental health and addiction treatment programs have a long
history of focusing on young people’s deficits, problem behaviors
and pathologies. The most current research by psychologists,
psychiatrists, educators and others clearly demonstrates that a
strength-based approach can yield dramatically better long-term
results than those of a deficit-based approach. At the foundation of
Paradigm Malibu’s strength based approach is the belief that young
people and their families are resilient, competent people who possess
unique talents, skills and interests. Building on strengths allows
youth to have more frequent opportunities for success. This is why
we have special treatment tracks for gifted students, young athletes,
teen artists and others. Not only do we want to support strengths
and interests, we want to avoid disrupting anything in a young
person’s life that is currently working. Utilizing each adolescent’s
natural abilities and attractions creates an efficient and effective path
for engagement and positive change.
WE DON’T ENGAGE IN
EITHER/OR TREATMENT
There is a popular trend for treatment programs to identify as
using a ‘Disease Model’, aka 12 Step or a ‘Medical Model’ based on
western medicine at the exclusion of social models. While each of
these models has helped tens of thousands of people achieve positive
results for any number of issues, an honest assessment suggests
that each has failed many too. It is for this reason that we prefer
an approach to treatment that provides participants with access to
both models and more. Experience has taught us that the greater
the number of modalities you have to work with- the greater your
odds of finding the right fit for each youth. More often than not,
the right fit isn’t any single model. Rather, it is a combination of
multiple approaches designed to address each young person’s unique
challenges and strengths.
WE EXCLUSIVELY SERVE
ADOLESCENTS IN A
RESIDENTIAL SETTING
Adolescent treatment is a highly specialized practice. As such, we
have devoted ourselves exclusively to serving this complex, dynamic
population. We do not provide treatment for adults, or so called
young adults, over the age of eighteen. Developmentally, there are
stark differences between these groups and co-mingling of these
populations can result in many undue complications. We also
follow the best practice of staffing our team with professionals who
have committed their careers to the care of young people. Likewise,
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residential treatment is a specialized service. We are focused
exclusively on providing the best quality residential care available.
Our attention is not divided or diluted. We do not funnel our
clients into outpatient or extended care programs. Rather, we work
to meet our client’s needs through intensive, short-term treatment,
followed by complimentary, quality aftercare services.
OUR TREATMENT IS
COLLABORATIVE IN NATURE
At Paradigm Malibu, we believe that meaningful treatment
requires collaboration. While we provide valuable expertise, we
also recognize that young people and their families are most often
the best experts on themselves. You know your strengths, interests
and challenges. As such, we ask that you be full partners in the
creation and implementation of your own individualized treatment
plan. We also welcome the opportunity to collaborate with any
therapist or treatment professional a youth may already be engaged
with. Physicians, teachers, mentors, coaches or any other person
who has a vested interest in the wellbeing of an adolescent may
be involved with the consent of both the teen and their parents.
Such collaborations frequently allow us to achieve treatment goals
more expeditiously, and help to create smoother transitions to post
treatment life.
OUR TREATMENT IS
TRULY HOLISTIC
Holistic is a term that has come to mean many different things
to different people. This has not diminished the importance of
treating the whole adolescent, with specialized concentration in key
areas. Our treatment couples the best of traditional modalities and
alternative therapies to meet the age specific needs of every teen. Our
program is designed to address each individual’s Emotional Health,
Physical Health, Family Health, Social Health, Spiritual Health and
Educational Needs. Each of these has the ability to impact the other
and must be given the full consideration that it deserves.
WE PROVIDE FREE
AFTERCARE SERVICES
Countless studies support our own experiences, which suggest
that long-term treatment results are greatly impacted by effective
aftercare services. We believe that aftercare is so important, that we
provide it free of charge, indefinitely, for as long as youth and/or their
families choose to utilize it. Aftercare services do not replace the
need of outpatient services when such needs exist; aftercare services
do however play a key role in sustaining and building on progress
made in residential treatment. As part of aftercare services, many
families choose to attend family day or individual sessions in person,
telephonically, or via videochat. Most families seem to prefer an
initial period of intensive aftercare services followed by a transition
to local services. Others prefer fewer services, longer term. As with
treatment plans, every aftercare plan is individualized and based on
each family’s unique needs and objectives.
S P OT L I GH T
ALU MN I
by Jenny Sherman
W
ith a self-effacing manner and maturity
beyond his years, Ben Hietala candidly
and bravely opens up about what brought him to
Paradigm Malibu, the life-changing experience it
was, and what’s down the road for him.
“I was kind of a hometown hero,” he says with
timidity. Growing up in a quaint town in Montana,
Ben’s soccer accomplishments put him on that
small, rural map, giving him a household name—a
name that people in his town knew and respected.
He was named Montana’s Gatorade Player of the
Year, but instead of resting on his laurels, he kept
pushing ahead and challenging himself as a center
forward, or “striker,” in his fast paced game.
Ben noted his new role brought higher standards to measure up to
and added stressors. He felt an overwhelming sense of pressure to
perform well, and most of that pressure came from within. “I put
on a mask a lot of the time,” he reflects. “So I’d appear to be doing
fine.” And things in his life were indeed fine upon first glance. “I got
good grades, I was doing well in soccer… I was very sociable.” But
in stark contrast to all the good in his life, was an intense personal
struggle—one that didn’t leave him feeling fine at all. “At the end of
the day,” he says, “When I was alone, I didn’t care about myself and I
didn’t take care of myself.”
Ben was experiencing something that highly regarded teen athletes
often face, but the outside world rarely sees: depression, a sense of
despair with no way out, and overwhelming pressure leading to a
crippling state of anxiety. Ben’s depression worsened, and suicidal
thoughts began to enter his psyche. He knew he had to seek help, and
his family was right on board with him, helping him find Paradigm
Malibu, and the specialized treatment he needed. “When I decided to
take the time to focus on my depression, I wanted to find an option
that would allow me to stay physically active. While in treatment,
early morning workouts on the beach, basketball, and other physical
activities helped to keep that side of me happy,” Ben says. To deal
with his depression, one-on-one therapy sessions were instrumental
in his recovery. “[The sessions] helped me learn how to cope with my
depression and with my negative thoughts, and be able to reframe
that into positive thinking. So that’s really beneficial for soccer, school
and just handling relationships on and off the field.”
Seeking treatment can be an incredibly difficult thing to do—
especially for someone who is in the spotlight and seen as a golden
boy. People expect certain things of them, and there are fears of
disappointing others or of living with a stigma. Ben acknowledges
that there were questions being asked back at home regarding his
whereabouts. Instead of letting that get to him, he embraces his
Paradigm experience and is a proud alumnus of the program. “I’m
kind of eager to share my story with people,” Ben says. “Hopefully,
I can help younger people out who have the same issues as me.
Depression and suicidal ideation is pretty common, and I’d love to
share my story with people who could really learn from it as well.”
When asked if he has any goals of going pro one day, Ben says, “I
would love to. Some of the players from my team have gone pro, so I
think it’s a possibility.”
After leaving Paradigm, Ben feels like he has a new lease on life—he
is ready to handle the rigors of academic life, and soccer, and now
knows how to balance the two. Ben has gone back to school, back
to his life with the necessary tools to navigate through it—smoothly
this time. Bens says that Paradigm has taught him many things,
including how to trust himself. “A big part of it is trusting that the
negative thoughts will always pass,” he says, adding, “a technique I’ve
learned is to kind of take a step back, take some deep breaths, switch
your location. So if you’re inside, go outside, take a few breaths and
rethink [the situation] with a more rational side that recognizes the
emotional side as well.” At Paradigm, they call that technique the
“wise mind.” It’s “recognizing the emotional and rational mind, and
finding that in-the-middle decision that satisfies both,” Ben explains.
He has definitely got a wise head on his shoulders and a bright future
ahead of him—pro soccer player… or anything else that inspires and
reinforces his positive ideations.
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14
A REFINED
BALA NCING ACT :
by Jenny Sherman
The word “gifted” is defined as
“having exceptional talent or natural ability.”
An adolescent might be a gifted athlete, musician or artist. Most often when we speak of being gifted from an educational
perspective, we are describing those who have intellectual gifts and naturally excel academically. Many times young people who
possess such gifts are subject to depression, anxiety or other emotional health concerns. For this reason, Paradigm has created a
program specifically designed to meet the needs of such youth.
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Clinicians have long debated the impact of giftedness on psychological wellbeing. There is evidence to support two contrasting views: that giftedness
enhances resiliency in individuals, and that giftedness increases vulnerability.
There is empirical and theoretical evidence to support both views.
According to Cole Rucker, CEO and Co-Founder of Paradigm,
“There is good reason to believe that both positions are true.
Giftedness offers young people strengths that contribute to their
resilience, while making them more vulnerable in other areas of
their lives, such as their emotional health. It seems likely that most
clinicians can agree that giftedness influences the psychological
well-being of individuals. Any disagreement is likely related to
how it does so.” In addition, “There is a great deal of research to
suggest that the psychological outcomes for gifted adolescents are
positive or negative based on at least three factors that interact
synergistically: the type of giftedness, the educational fit, and a
young persons individual characteristics,” Rucker explains.
Paradigm’s program for gifted youth works to help young people
identify types of giftedness, and ensure educational fit, further
helping youth develop the skills necessary
to thrive based on their individual
characteristics. It’s an approach that is
getting dramatic results.
According to Paradigm’s Director of
Education, Jerri Anna Phenix, young
people and their families have had a very
positive reaction to Paradigm’s program for
Gifted Youth. “Many residents come to us
from highly competitive private and public
schools,” Phenix explains. “Most are on
track to enroll in the very best Universities,
many Ivy League. The last thing that
families want to do is sacrifice academic
careers when coming into treatment for
emotional health issues.” Phenix goes on to say, “Not getting help
with those concerns impacts a student’s academics, however. This
is the Catch 22 that many gifted youth have historically faced.
Thanks to Paradigm, this is no longer the case.”
“It is specifically for this reason that we have designed our gifted
teen program the way that we have. We want to ensure that we do
not disrupt academic careers or anything else in the life of a youth
that is working,” Phenix adds. "With the permission of families,
the on-site classroom teachers work with each student’s home
school to get assignments, allowing youth to stay current, or even
get ahead in their studies. Tutors from Pepperdine and UCLA are
on hand to provide teens with one-on-one instruction as needed,
and teachers can proctor exams, midterms and finals. This allows
students to re-integrate post treatment with one less stressor."
Regarding school participation, Paradigm Classroom teacher
Sianna Walker has her own take. “We have student teachers from
the best schools in this country and abroad, come to us, and they
are almost always enthusiastic about doing whatever it takes to get
a young person emotionally healthy and current in their studies,”
she explains. “Schools welcome participation in Paradigm as a
solution for struggling gifted students.” Lastly, Walker says, “It
can be challenging because the academic needs of youth vary so
dramatically. We see students who are enrolled in classes ranging
from Honors Mandarin Chinese to AP Latin and Nuclear Science
studies. We are lucky to have a wealth of resources from local
universities, who provide us with specialized tutors.”
While there are specific classroom hours built into the program, if
teens require more time for their studies, schedules are altered to
accommodate their needs. According to the Director of Paradigm’s
Meadows facility, Cecilia Muniz, the goal is to help young people
find balance. “We want them to give their mental health priority
while they are here. That doesn’t mean that
they have to sacrifice all that they have
worked so hard for. Anxieties that come
up around school performance provide us
with important therapeutic opportunities.
We can look at pressures around school
performance, the effect of other people’s
expectations, and emerging identities that
are coupled with school performance—
these are all things that we address.”
Academics themselves are not the only
sources of stress directly related to seeking
treatment. Many gifted youth have a
difficult time accepting help with their
emotional health. Rucker explains, “These
brilliant young people are often times accustomed to being
able to fix things themselves. When they can’t, they feel a sense
of failure and guilt around that.” He goes on to say, “They also
frequently struggle with what to share or not share with friends,
school officials or other members of the community around going
away to treatment.” Jerri Anna Phenix adds, “This is a personal
decision that every family must make for themselves. We have seen
a shift toward openness over the years as the world becomes more
sophisticated around these issues. In fact, we have had youth that
were so impacted by their treatment experience that they wrote
about it as part of their college applications.”
While there is little doubt that the stigma of seeking treatment for
mental health issues has diminished, there remains progress to be
made. “We would like to see the treatment community at large
put more energy into meeting the needs of the gifted,” Rucker
expresses. “We are seeing such amazing outcomes. We would like
to see that become the norm rather than the exception.”
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PA R A D I G M
SPEAK ER SERI E S
A MODEL
OF RECOVERY
by Scarlet Barber
B
y age eighteen, Amber Valetta made the front
cover of American Vogue, and since has
graced its cover fifteen more times. She has worked
with high-end fashion designers such as Chanel
and Versace, most recently, she closed the Atelier
Versace Spring/Summer 2016 fashion show. Amber
has also appeared in numerous roles in movies
and on television, most recently starring in ABC’s
primetime drama, Blood & Oil. But from the time
she was eight years old, Amber was looking for ways
to get high. She sniffed markers, glue, fingernail
polish, or anything that would give her an escape
from difficult feelings or circumstances. Now, with
over fifteen years of sobriety, Amber has come to
Paradigm Malibu to share her own experience,
strength, and hope with residents. She did so as
a featured participant in the Paradigm Speaker
Series, where community leaders and public figures
donate their time and energy to impact the lives
of youth. Amber explains, “I’m always happy to
be of service to the community. It’s a pleasure and
honor to come [to Paradigm] and share with [the
residents.] Hopefully my story resonated with at
least one young person.” And resonate, it does.
As a teenager, Amber moved to Europe to model
and was rapidly immersed in a world where
dabbling in drugs and alcohol was considered the
norm. Growing up in Oklahoma and then suddenly
being submerged in the unfamiliarity of the fashion
world, she was unsure of how to cope with feelings
of uncertainty, which further catalyzed her desire
for an escape from her emotions. Dabbling quickly
led to addiction. Shortly into her career, Amber put
everything in jeopardy, including friends, family,
and a multi-million dollar modeling deal when
she arrived intoxicated on the first day of a shoot.
Despite this, it wasn’t until some seven years later,
at the age of twenty-five that she was able to find
sobriety, and ultimately, serenity. “I finally realized
the truth,” she states. “If I kept drinking and using,
I wouldn’t survive the consequences.”
Chronicling her struggles with the residents at
Paradigm, Amber shared feelings of being lost,
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scared, sad, and lonely. “I know very well how intense and overwhelming those emotions
can be,” Amber shared while speaking to the residents as a group. She then took time
to speak with each of them one-on-one, listening to their stories, and offering support.
Commenting on the teen participants, she said, “I’m so moved by their openness and
courage. Addiction, depression and anxiety can seem nearly impossible to overcome, and
resolving to escape through taking drugs may seem like the only way out, but it’s not.
Knowing that you don’t have to have all the answers, but that there is a path out there,
and that others will help you down that path, can mean everything.”
Amber also brought along her fifteen year old son to participate in the experience. He
offered his own stories and thoughts, and served as a remarkable bridge between Amber
and the other youth. Regarding her son and his generation, Amber added, “The world
today is a different and more complicated place than it was when I was growing up. It’s
much harder to navigate. Young people deserve respect for being able to get up each day
and take it on.” She goes on to say, “I think adults forget that while being a teenager can
Supermodel Amber Valletta
be fun, you can feel like there’s a lot ahead of you, and it’s scary—
especially now. Everything moves really fast.”
Amber was so moved by the life-changing force she witnessed at
Paradigm Malibu, she decided to join the Paradigm Advisory Board
to continue helping the teens in any way that she can. Touching
on Amber’s commitment, Cecilia Muniz, Director of Paradigm’s
Meadows program, said, “Amber is not only a fashion model, she
is a role model; modeling transparency, authenticity, and rigorous
honesty. She possesses and shares all of the qualities necessary for
meaningful and sustainable recovery.” She added, “By telling her
truth, she impacts young lives in multiple ways. Youth see that a
life that they may have fantasized about living—modeling, fame,
fortune—does not make emotional pain disappear, or make anyone
less vulnerable to the consequences of negative coping styles, or make
them immune to addiction. Also, they see that all of these issues can
be worked through, and that amazing lives are possible and waiting
for them. They get the message that they are important enough for
a public figure to take time to reach out to them and help them on
their journeys.”
When asked why she decided to join the board, Amber explained,
“When you’re in recovery, being of service is important. I can’t think
of a group that I would be more excited about being of service to.”
She also indicated that she is committed to eradicating the stigma
of being in treatment. “Nobody should feel shame for seeking help.
People should feel proud of themselves for taking difficult steps to
change what they know isn’t working. I know that I couldn’t be more
proud of these young people.”
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WITH LOU FERRIGNO, JR.
by Jason Dean
If anyone can relate to the pressure of growing up in the shadow of an
imposing family figure, it’s Lou Ferrigno, Jr. Not only was his dad a
world-class bodybuilder and former Mr. Universe, he was the original
Incredible Hulk of Marvel Comics fame.
The younger Ferrigno’s determination to forge his own path dates
back to his college days. “My goal was to go to USC and get a degree,”
he says. From there, he was open. “I could have joined a fraternity,
or something more social, but I decided that I wanted to achieve
something that was very hard to achieve.” Did he ever. The Trojans’
football team won the National Championship in 2007, the same
year that Ferrigno, Jr. made it onto the team as a walk-on linebacker.
“That’s the beauty of sports - it doesn’t matter what race you are, what
religion you are, who you are - if you can take it, you can make it.”
In working with youth at Paradigm Malibu who have often times
carried a lot on their shoulders in a variety of manifestations,
Ferrigno, Jr. administers a caring, goal-driven approach that is
supported by other staff who specialize in the more nuanced aspects
of treatment. From there, he says, “It’s about helping them reach
their full potential.”
After college, Ferrigno, Jr. fostered dual aspirations in entertainment
and fitness, but the latter eventually won out. He created a profile
on IDEA - “Facebook for fitness people,” he says - and considered
working with younger people in some capacity, perhaps through Big
Brother mentoring. He had coached some young athletes previously
and enjoyed connecting with and motivating them.
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One day, when he checked his IDEA profile, there was an email
from Paradigm Malibu Co-founder Cole Rucker sitting in his inbox.
“Divine intervention,” recalls Ferrigno, Jr. He responded immediately
and was subsequently invited to visit the facility for an interview.
Ferrigno, Jr.’s knowledge, experience, and motivation in fitness,
health, and wellness made an impact, but his artistic side left an
impression, too. Ferrigno, Jr. is a painter, working mainly in acrylics.
“I think that stuck with Cole because it was a kind of dichotomy of
fitness and art that he seemed to appreciate,” he says.
Ferrigno, Jr. joined Paradigm Malibu in March 2013 as its Fitness/
Exercise Therapist. His goal is to give each teen he encounters the tools
to connect to his or her physical health by challenging, encouraging,
and educating with proper technique. In leading one of the essential
physical components of the Paradigm treatment model, Ferrigno Jr.
is able to have a positive impact by helping break through limitations.
“I start out at a basic level and kind of motivate them from there to
see who can compete - to find out what they can do as opposed to
what they thought they could do,” he explains, adding, “A lot of them
exceed their own expectations, which is really cool.”
Warm ups are essential at every stage of the fitness platform. Lou
leads exercise fundamentals, coupled with education about their
Lou Ferrigno, Jr.
capabilities - setting a reasonable baseline of expectations - is next.
“The goal is to really teach them about their bodies,” he says. And
how does he deal with the teen who is too cool to break a sweat or
has an aversion to physical exertion? “I rarely find anyone who shuts
down. Some may try to test me early on and say they can’t do things.
I just tell them, ‘Can’t is a choice,’” he says. “I come at them in a very
sensitive but firm way to get them going. I give them a lot of options,
but I want to see them safe and moving.”
Lots of connections are made, but Ferrigno, Jr.
remembers witnessing a dramatic shift in one
boy who was overweight. Having confronted
his own weight issues in his youth, Ferrigno,
Jr. was sympathetic. “He’d never worked out,
only played video games and lived in this
virtual world. But he was very responsive and
very sweet, and we warmed up. So I showed
him how to do a couple of exercises,” Ferrigno,
Jr. recalls.
likes and is getting better at it, but he’s also spreading the message of
good form and safety.”
In addition to drawing inspiration from the coaches who shaped his
athletic development, Ferrigno, Jr. has benefited from having a solid
foundation at home. Sharing his father’s name helped open some
doors in entertainment, and Ferrigno, Jr. briefly pursed an acting
career. He knows that some of the kids he
I rarely find anyone
encounters at Paradigm aren’t as fortunate
in terms of the family engagement. “They
who shuts down. Some
not have anyone that’s listening to
may try to test me early on may
them and making them feel good about
and say they can’t do things. themselves,” he says. “Through my art and
my acting and the shows I’ve been on, like
I just tell them,
Teen Wolf or The Mindy Project, they
really open up to me, which is nice, but
I use those little moments to give them
affirmative motivation.”
‘CAN’T IS
A CHOICE’
“He liked how his muscles were sore, so we
worked out different muscle groups. I had to leave one week, and
when I came back, I swear this kid had lost 4 or 5 pounds. I asked if
he’d been dieting but he said no, he’d just been working out. Then I
turned around, and he’s spotting other kids in their exercises. And I
thought, this is incredible. Not only has this kid found something he
As for the most valuable lesson he learned
while growing up, Ferrigno, Jr credits his
mother, Carla, who told him “Louie, you’re only going to be a boy
for so long, and you’re going to be a man one day, and all a man has
in this life is his word. When you give someone that, you have to stick
to it.” Sage words that fit nicely on his training room wall.
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21
PA R A D I G M
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art as
medicine.
s children, we practise artistic expression without
even meaning to. We role play, scribble, finger
paint, write, sing and dance with abandon. When
we were young, communicating through art was
intrinsic - often times easier than using our words.
As we grow older, there is less encouragement to
express ourselves as freely as we once did. There
are constructs within society, unspoken rules, which keep us from
expressing ourselves as we once did. Emotional pain, in particular,
can be difficult if not impossible to talk about. The continuum of
Expressive Arts Therapies provides participants at Paradigm an outlet
to tell their stories, share their experiences, and access their emotional
material though a variety of disciplines. Among the most popular
modalities are Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy,
Dance/Movement Therapy, and Written/Narrative Therapy.
While more traditional talk therapies are integral to the Paradigm
Malibu treatment model, the Expressive Arts Therapy Continuum
is designed specifically to allow young people to explore and work
through issues in non-verbal ways, often times yielding powerful
results. Cole Rucker, Co-Founder of Paradigm Malibu is is quick
to address misgivings others may have. “I think too many people
mistake Art Therapy for arts and crafts. While the latter can have
therapeutic value, the former is much more meaningful. Art Therapy
is conducted by licensed Art Therapists who approach every session
with specific therapeutic intent. The value of the clinical information
gleaned from these modalities can not be over stated,” Rucker notes.
Paradigm’s Art Therapist Hilary Kern believes that, through artistic
expression, teens are able “to think creatively, to explore in a safe
environment, to further treatment goals.” Giving a teen a paintbrush
is in essence, giving them a tool with which to explore, with absolute
freedom, the depths of their internal struggles. The expression of
those struggles are shown through their art, and the art itself is its
own kind of speech. Teens can say whatever they want without having
to say anything at all. The painting, the sketching–the art can do all
the talking, and it can say a lot. Because of the organic and unforced
manner in which thoughts and feelings are being expressed, Art
Therapy “provid[es] a safe outlet for an individual to acknowledge
and explore feelings”
When teens are expressing themselves through the arts, they are
“getting out of their logical, selves and getting deeper into the
subconscious,” according to Music Therapist Summer Mencher.
“And that’s where the real work happens,” she says. “It can feel less
threatening. It can be more fun. It’s often a way people connect and
relate to one another...by what kind of music they like. So it’s a great
way to start connections early.” In Music Therapy, teens don’t need
to know anything about playing a musical instrument. They merely
use the sounds an instrument makes to play out their emotions.
by Jenny Sherman
Summer will instruct them, “Let’s all play... angry, and then express
that on a drum. They can play memories... the future, [they] can
play the past... play [their] dreams.” One teen’s “sad” might sound
completely different from another teen’s “sad,” their “happy” might
sound different from another’s. Being able to hear through beats
and tempos, and feel through waves and vibrations, how people feel
inside, can be a stirring experience.
Drama Therapy is another dynamic expression vehicle. Body
language tells its own story, and role play allows for the ability to
act out scenes from real life, sometimes acting out each personality
involved. Drama Therapist Elizabeth Malone explains that Drama
Therapy is a reflective medium for teens to understand themselves
better through role-play. Such exercises, “allow [teens] to take a really
small part of life and magnify it, so that [they] can see a lot of details
that [they] might not have seen before, might have missed.” Teens
are given a forum in which to act out moments in their lives and
see situations, and the players, involved in a different context. When
teens view their lives in that different context, it paves the way for a
better understanding of their relationships with family or friends, and
the role that they, themselves play.
Many young people enjoy opportunities to participate in Dance/
Movement Therapy. According to Dr. Lori Baudino, “Dance/
Movement Therapy is based on the empirically supported premise
that the body and mind are interconnected.” Dr. Baudino describes
this modality as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further
the emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration of the
individual.” She goes on to explain, “Body movement, as the core
component of dance, simultaneously provides a means of assessment
and the mode of intervention for a full range of emotional health
issues. Dr. Baudino concludes, “Little is more rewarding to me
than seeing young people learn to be present in their bodies, fully
expressing themselves through dance.”
Written/Narrative Therapies also provide pivotal experiences for
youth. According to Dr. Steve Oh, lead Clinician at Paradigm’s
Point Dume program, “Narrative therapies assume that people have
a wealth of skills, strengths, interests and abilities that will help them
reduce the influence of emotional and behavioral health difficulties in
their lives.” He goes on to state, “One of the highlights of treatment
for a lot of youth at Paradigm is writing and sharing their life stories.
The material presented is then processed in a respectful, non-blaming
approach which centers people as the experts in their own lives.”
A paintbrush, a drum, a role play, a dance step, or a pen–all powerful
tools for adolescents who are teeming with caged emotions. Through
the Expressive Arts Therapy Program at Paradigm, using colors,
sounds, sights and movement, teens begin to become the authors of
their own lives.
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22
An Outside
View on the Internal
Workings of Paradigm
by Skyler Dean
P
aradigm Malibu is different. Anybody who has had the
privilege of being a patient, a parent, or a therapist there will
tell you this ten times over—you probably won’t even have to ask.
Clients paint, climb ropes, surf and play music. They write of their
struggles, sing of their fears, and meditate atop paddleboards that
rest along the Pacific Coast. They eat gourmet, organic meals, and
are trained and mentored by actors, musicians, and Olympians. To
top it all off, their residences are situated in Malibu. One couldn’t
dream up a more beautiful and serene setting for a place of healing.
But the point isn’t that Paradigm offers all of this; it only matters
that this new approach to recovery actually works.
This is truly the issue at hand. The stakes couldn’t be higher—often
times it’s a matter of life and death, between living a life filled with
pain and agony, or leading one with joy and passion. Not just for
the teens, these issues affect the whole family. So, how does the
Paradigm treatment model work?
To answer this question, the prestigious Pepperdine University
conducted a longitudinal, outcome study on Paradigm Malibu,
from April 2013 to December 2014. The study focused on two
groups of people: patients and parents. It looked at how the teen’s
problems affected the whole family, and, in contrast, how the reverse
can be true as well.
With a longitudinal study, we get to see actual improvements of the
same individual over time, instead of simply comparing two different
individuals at different points in their recovery journey, (which is how
a cross-sectional study works). From an entirely scientific perspective,
the findings of a longitudinal study are far more reliable than the findings of a cross-sectional study, so the Pepperdine study findings are
comfortingly accurate.
MEAN PERCENTAGE CHANGE
IN FAMILY RELATION ITEMS
+331%
PARENT
+445%
Getting along with family
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PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
+318%
PATIENT
+454%
Ability to express feelings
Clients were asked to assess their mental health, and to evaluate
their level of anxiety, fear, depression, suicidal tendencies,
sense of worth, and feelings of self-satisfaction, as well as
many positive traits, like ability to express oneself, or feelings
of hopefulness, and those positive ones attached to familial
relationships. These assessments used a six-point scale with a
six suggesting “very strongly agree,” and a zero suggesting they
“very strongly disagree.” For example: if a patient answered the
question, “How fearful are you right now?” with a five, we could
safely assume they are living in a constant state of fear, and a
zero would mean they are living fear-free.
These assessments were done at three critical points in the
recovery process: pre-treatment, one month into treatment,
and six months into treatment. It is important to note, Paradigm is a 30-90 day program, so these teens have long left the
treatment centers at the six month assessment point, and in
the words of Eisenhower, “[are] returning to normalcy,” and
getting on with their lives. So, what did the findings uncover?
ANXIETY
FEAR
DEPRESSION
SUICIDAL IDEATION
SENSE OF WORTH
SELF-SATISFACTION
PRE-TREATMENT
+ 1 MONTH
+ 6 MONTHS
s
core
S
n
ea
nt M
e
r
a
P
3.57
5.19
4.95
3.47
0.92
1.27
0.82
0.40
Worthless or Useless
1.55
1.18
1.43
0.47
Sad or Depressed
Satisfied with my life
Optimistic about my
future
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PRE-TREATMENT
PRE-TREATMENT
At the study’s launch point, pre-treatment, as one can
imagine, the results are bleak. Individuals and families
reported feeling hopeless, fearful, and wrought with
anxiety. This is no surprise. In most cases, to find yourself
at the door of a treatment center, you and your family have
probably hit rock bottom.
MIDASSESSMENT
FINAL
ASSESSMENT
MID-ASSESSMENT
Thirty days into the program, however, teens and parents reported huge improvements in their wellbeing—about a seventy percent improvement,
to be exact. In terms of teens and parents getting along, the numbers are awe-inspiring: approximately a 270 percent increase in families getting
along; it only took one month for teens and parents to finally play nice with each other. This outcome could largely be a result of another
startling fact. One month into treatment, the teens’ and parents’ ability to express themselves increased by a little over 400 percent. No longer
are yelling matches the household modus operandi; genuine, honest dialogues are taking place, many for the first time. This is truly remarkable,
especially considering this major development occurs only one month into treatment. Those numbers are staggering, but here is where it gets
really interesting.
FINAL ASSESSMENT
Remember the final assessment point? You know, the six-month mark, long after the parents and teens have left the comfort, rituals, and tool
building of Paradigm Malibu? This is where we find the most convincing evidence of all. The numbers across the board keep showing promise.
Teens and the relationships with their parents keep improving, long after they have left treatment. They are happier, they get along better, they
feel less sadness, they feel less fear, and they can express themselves more clearly than ever before. This progress is huge! These are the results
we strive to achieve! Paradigm isn’t just giving its teen residents the skills and tools to succeed—parents are acquiring their own skillsets
and necessary tools to harness once the family returns home, and their trajectory has clearly been changed in meaningful ways. Bottom line, Paradigm doesn’t say goodbye to their clients and their families—ever. They are invested in each individual and their
family’s success, and continue the journey with them well after they have left the physical address. This study proves that
enduring relationships show enduring results.
For a long time, Paradigm Malibu has known they are really helping young people, but thanks to Pepperdine University, they now have the hard numbers to back up what they, after years of observance and analysis, have come
to find is true, and worth recognizing within the treatment world. Let it be known: Paradigm works. While in
recovery, quality of life and mental markers improve across the board—not just for the teen, but also for
the family. And here’s the best part: the gains made while at Paradigm Malibu only grow and improve
when teens return to wherever they call home. Now, that’s shifting the treatment Paradigm. 25
PA R A D I G M
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PRE-TREATMENT
+ 1 MONTH
+ 6 MONTHS
PATIENT: MEAN SCORES ON HOPEFULNESS ITEMS
PATIENT: MEAN SCORES ON
PROBLEM SEVERITY ITEMS
5.37
5.24
2.10
1.71
1.40
1.30
Optimistic about my future
4.12
4.22
4.08
1.32
1.30
0.67
Feeling Worthless
or Useless
Satisfied with my life
1.18
0.76
Feeling Anxious
or Fearful
0.65
Feeling Sad
or Depressed
INSPIRATION
JUST
AHEAD
Experiential Therapy
at Paradigm
by Scarlet Barber
One of the things that sets Paradigm Malibu
apart from other treatment centers is their
understanding that treatment need not be
limited to a traditional clinical setting.
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Through Experiential Therapy, teens at Paradigm are
provided with opportunities to be active participants in
outdoor activities designed to complement talk therapy.
Engaging teens in various natural settings,
often times in situations that require
teamwork, is an organic way to uncover
clinical themes. According to Dr. Jeff Nalin,
Co-Founder of Paradigm, “Some of the most
meaningful therapeutic moments happen
when young people and their therapists are
outside of an office. When they are out in
the world, many things naturally present
themselves,” he says, adding, “The youth
begin to discover new ways to self reflect
and identify previously unknown insights.
Likewise, Experiential Therapy can give
therapists their own insights into a teen’s
emotional and behavioral patterns, allowing
for a more dynamic assessment for individual
treatment plans.”
A few of the Experiential therapies
offered at Paradigm include Surf
Therapy, Therapeutic Paddleboarding,
Ropes Course Therapy, and Equine
Assisted Psychotherapy. Combinations
of emotional, mental, physical, and
spiritual aspects vital to recovery are all
explored through Experiential Therapy,
empowering adolescents to develop
skills that can continue to change the
trajectory of their lives post-treatment.
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As with surfing, Therapeutic Paddleboarding
in the natural environment of the ocean is
a place in which to develop a sense of peace
and a relationship with a higher power. While
from a balance point of view, it’s a metaphor
for achieving balance in teens’ daily lives.
Mentally, it’s a natural way to release
endorphins through exercises, and absorb
Vitamin D from the sun, thus increasing
serotonin. Phoebe encourages residents to
continue exercising—in any form—but
ideally, out in nature as much as possible.
Nature has a way of helping us heal and feel
connected.
In Ropes Course Therapy at Paradigm,
the instructor, Miles Pittman, uses this
environmental “playground,” as he calls it,
for the residents to focus on setting goals
and developing core values, while again,
having fun. Some of these core values are
self-esteem, grace, encouragement
of oneself and others, appreciation,
acknowledgement, and boundaries.
The youth develop a support system to
rely on one another for both physical
and emotional safety. One of the
greatest fears we, as humans, have
is the uncomfortable fear of falling,
both physically and emotionally.
When confronting that fear, the
youths are challenging themselves
to be confident. In that process of
learning to be confident and face the
fear of falling, the youths are both moving
through the physical obstacle of the ropes
course, and the mental obstacle in finding
their authentic selves. The mental obstacle
challenges negative self-talk that manifests
while in recovery from both addiction and
mental health disorders. Miles explains,
“We’re not about breakdowns; it’s about
breakthroughs. And those breakthroughs
come in that place where there’s work to
be done, breakthroughs happen when we’re
vulnerable, and that’s when our authentic
self shows.”
“We spend a lot of time
in the session in silence
when we are paddling
out, and they learn
how to be okay in that
silence...letting go.”
Kalani Cross, a native of Hawaii and
facilitator of Surf Therapy, believes that
overcoming fears of the unknown is a huge
part of recovery; she reinforces this practice
in the unpredictable environment of the
ocean—a setting the residents have zero
control over. Standing up and catching a
wave doesn’t come easily for most people;
learning how to surf is something that
requires ridding oneself of negative selftalk and reinforcing the positive notions
associated with success. “...It takes [the
teens] outside of what they are constantly
worried about. If the residents’ heads are
elsewhere, that’s when they’re going to get
hit by a wave, get back to reality, and realize
29
that they need to stay present right now,”
Kalani explains. Residents learn that even if
they get knocked down, they are going to be
able to get back up. Although residents can’t
control the ebbs and flows of the ocean, they
can control their reactions to its motion,
which can prepare them for the ups and down
in life. Experiential Surf Therapy teaches
residents how intrinsic motivation and drive
are imperative for progress in their recovery—
and that it’s important to have fun while
doing it!
in recovery from an eating disorder, Phoebe
Nolan, Paradigm’s Paddleboarding Therapy
instructor, decided she wanted to share the
spiritual experience she had in the ocean with
patients struggling with their own mental
health. There is a sense of mystique out on the
open environment of the ocean, and she finds
many clients are more willing to investigate
the mysterious concept of a higher power in
this natural setting. She explains, “We spend
a lot of time in the session in silence when we
are paddling out, and they learn how to be
okay in that silence... letting go.” Physically,
paddleboarding is an all-over-body workout,
predominantly strengthening the core of one’s
body to balance on the board. She finds that
A psychologist for over 25 years, Dr. Valerie
Coleman realized that Equine Assisted
“Transformation
can happen in the
least expected of
places, inside the least
expected moments.”
Psychotherapy is beneficial for overcoming individual
challenges. Dr. Coleman incorporates her love of psychology
and horses in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy at Paradigm by
using “the power of the horses’ instinctual wisdom to help us
humans connect with our own instinctual wisdom. And to
create change so people make healthy choices rather than just
being caught in reactive patterns and habits,” Dr. Coleman
explains. The goal of this specific type of experiential
psychotherapy is to complement the psychotherapy taking
place at Paradigm. “We’re outside in nature, and we’re also
engaging with these amazing biofeedback beings, or truth
detectors, in a natural setting that’s unique, and that novelty
helps create changes in the brain.” Horses have a capability
of discerning an incongruence of authenticity in a person,
and will then display signals to help the residents to see
what they can work on and strengthen. Eventually, the
residents, with help from Dr. Coleman, begin to exhibit a
new found transparency. In identifying their problem areas
through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, residents then go
on to process all they have learned about themselves in talk
therapy sessions at Paradigm.
Paradigm’s Experiential Therapy facilitators, Kalani, Phoebe,
Miles, and Valerie are incredibly enthusiastic and passionate
about helping Paradigm residents begin a transformative
journey. The facilitators aid residents in finding healthy and
fun activities, preparing them to take charge of their own lives.
Over time, residents become more apt to self-reflection, and
will find themselves naturally engaging in their treatment
process once they leave Paradigm. When the teens are in
an environment that encourages both self-awareness and
awareness of their surroundings, subconscious attitudes and
actions from the past fall by the wayside. The combination
of what the teens at Paradigm Malibu have learned in both
the traditional and experiential therapy settings becomes
illuminated, and is organically incorporated into their lives.
The best therapeutic moments are often where you least
expect to find them: Looking deep into a horse’s eyes, or
the shimmer of the Pacific’s waves, feeling the tug of a rope
under your tight grasp, or learning to balance in whatever
motion comes your way—Paradigm’s Experiential Therapy
provides residents with multiple opportunities to challenge
themselves in fun, powerful, courageous, life changing ways.
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31
A
TOUCH
DOWN
FOR
PARADIGM
by Samantha Henschel
CREATING A
NEW GAME PLAN
On a cloudy December morning, Alex* came into Paradigm for
treatment. He was battling anxiety and depression and engaging
in substance abuse. In that way, he was like other kids at Paradigm.
But Alex was different in a big way, too—he played football, and
he wasn’t just a high school kid with a love for the game; he had a
rare talent as a placekicker that put him on the radar of Division I
recruiters. Alex found himself in what felt like a hopeless situation.
If he put football on the back burner to come to treatment, he
risked giving up his dream. But if he ignored his emotional and
mental health, he would be unable to manage his performance.
When Alex walked through the door two years ago, Paradigm
didn’t have a program to help him maintain his athletic training
while recieving treatment. But they recognized his needs and came
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PA R A D I G M
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up with a game plan. They rallied a team of sports professionals
to work with him, including a former kicker from the L.A. Rams.
This creative response to one young man’s unique needs gave birth
to what is now a thriving Teen Athletes Treatment Program at
Paradigm Malibu.
Today, about one fifth of the residents at Paradigm Malibu are in the
Teen Athletes Program. Young people range from average players on
their high school or club teams, to gifted athletes looking at college
or professional recruitment, to some high schoolers who are already
pros in their sport of choice. Others may have once enjoyed mastery
of a sport, only to watch it slip away due to emotional health issues
and negative coping styles.
WHAT THESE
YOUNG ATHLETES
ARE FACING
The physical pressures of an aspiring teen athlete are clear—because
most professional athletes retire by their mid-thirties, there’s an
urgency to capitalize on youth. But while their bodies may be at
their peak, emotional health may not be. Young people are dealing
with their identity formation and the individuation process, on top
of any emotional or behavioral health challenges that may exist.
The youth who come to Paradigm are most often dealing with
significant issues, in addition to the normal emotional rollercoaster
that is the life of a teenager. Then, add pressure from parents,
coaches, teammates, peers, and possibly recruiters. These adolescents
often times find themselves in need of specialized psychological and
physical support to achieve their full potential as athletes and as
people approaching adulthood.
Carl Lewis, head of the Board of Advisers for the Teen Athletes
Treatment Program at Paradigm, and Dr. Michael Graham,
clinical psychologist and Coordinator of the Teen Athletes Program
board, agree that the biggest contributor to young athletes’ issues
is external pressure from coaches, parents, or other well-meaning
adults. “It’s one of the reasons the family work is so important. What
some devoted parents may see as support, may feel like unbearable
pressure to a young person,” Michael explains. Through individual
family therapy, multi-family therapy, and parenting classes, families
learn how to support their child in a healthy way that ultimately
allows them to perform at the top of their game.
Coaches also play a crucial role in the evolution of a young athlete’s
life. “My coach saved me,” admits Carl, who is now a father and
coach himself. “Young athletes need structure, and a good coach
gives that to them.” He also emphasizes the value of parents and
coaches being on the same page so that one is not undermining the
other. “Coaches are welcome to participate in the program as long
as family members of the youth and the youth are in agreement.
It’s all about working together to help the young person who is
struggling,” Carl says.
THE SUPPORT
THEY NEED
“At Paradigm, we want to make sure that youth have access to all that
they will need to achieve their full potential,” explains Dr. Graham.
“We do so by providing state of the art mental health treatment and
supplementing that with access to state of the art training facilities,
the most dynamic trainers available in the youth’s sport of choice,
“At Paradigm,
we want to make
sure that youth
have access to all
that they will need
to acheive their
full potential.”
and access to accomplished athletes who can provide invaluable
guidance,” adds Dr. Graham. Much of this guidance comes from
members of the program’s advisory board.
Ten-time Olympic Medalist and World Champion, Carl Lewis,
is joined by a wide range of Olympic and professional athletes who
devote time and energy to the youth, including, but not limited to
Gold Medalists, Greg Louganis and Janet Evans, volleyball legend
Gabriel Reece, former NFL player Rodney Pete, Former NBA
player and CSUN head coach, Reggie Theus, Brain McGrattan
of the NHL and Jim Hill of CBS Sports. “When athletes see the
quality of the work being done, and they meet the young people,
they want to get involved. We have an amazing advisory board and
I think it’s going to continue to grow exponentially,” Michael states.
In addition, athletes spend four hours each afternoon working
out in a state of the art 96,000 square foot facility at the Sports
Academy. There, young athletes have access to amenities such as five
volleyball courts, two beach volleyball courts, five basketball courts,
a turf field, batting cages, pitching mounds, a cycling training and
a sports psychology clinic. Clients couple this effort with daily
individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and psychiatric
support services from Paradigm’s accomplished staff.
HOW PARADIGM
IS CHANGING
THE GAME
Far from the punitive, compliance-based “recovery” model from
which most adolescent treatment centers still operate, Paradigm
believes there is no reason to unplug the aspects of a person’s life
that are working. “Until recently, treatment has been about turning
PA R A D I G M
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32
Dr. Michael Graham and Olympian Carl Lewis
off the rest of the world and going internally, which is important,
but sometimes you can’t or shouldn’t walk away from your life,”
says Dr. Jeff Nalin, Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Paradigm.
Being a young athlete, where less than one percent of competitors
actually make it to an elite level, is a perfect example of that.
There is another situation that Paradigm considers when treating
athletes. Most of these teenagers’ lives have revolved around their
sport since the time they could walk. But sometimes there is a need
for a young adult to reevaluate their future in sports. “We’re often
subject to other people’s narratives,” says Michael. “Part of growing
up, is deciding what we want our own narrative to be, and having
the courage to be honest with ourselves. We want kids to find out
what their purpose and passions are, and then we are ultimately
here to support that.”
“Part of growing up is
deciding what we want our
own narrative to be, and
having the courage to be
honest with ourselves.”
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EXPANDING
THE ENDZONE
Paradigm is devoted to helping young athletes reclaim their lives,
change their trajectories and achieve their full potential. Through
comprehensive care, including traditional modalities, alternative
therapies, and state of the art training, young people are supported
in becoming the best versions of themselves.
In addition to impacting sports, one life at a time, Paradigm is
working to change the negative perception and stigma in the
athletic world around getting treatment. “We’d like to help coaches
and recruiters shift the thinking in sports culture away from, ‘I’ve
got a kid with a problem on my hands,’ to ‘this young person deals
with their mental health as rigorously as they approach their sport.
I’ve got a winner on my hands,’” says Jeff. Paradigm is impacting
attitudes not only through the work they do with youth, but
through conferences and trainings they sponsor for parents, coaches,
recruiters, educators and mental health professionals throughout the
United States and Europe. Paradigm’s most recent efforts span from
local school outreach, to sponsoring an international conference on
sports and mental health in Austria. According to Jeff, this is only
the beginning of what Paradigm hopes to do. “What ever is needed,
where ever it is needed, we plan to be there for young athletes.”
*Not his real name
PARADIGM
AT POINT DUME
The new Paradigm Point Dume facility.
Paradigm recently held a grand
opening for its newest adolescent
treatment program in Malibu.
Paradigm recently held a grand opening for it’s newest adolescent
treatment program in Malibu. Pictured right, program Deputy
Director James Harris, MA is joined by program Director,
Dustin Wagner, MA and therapist, Erin Riley, MA as he cuts
a ribbon at the opening ceremony. “This is a very exciting time
at Paradigm,” Wagner stated. “This new facility will allow us to
increase the number of young people and families that we are
serving by 25%.” Lead therapist for the Pointe Dume program,
Dr. Steve Oh added, “The demand for quality and compassionate
care for teens has continued to grow. We are committed to
ensuring that this program is built on the sophisticated, evidence
based treatment that Paradigm is known for.” Jay Harris, Deputy
Director of the Cliffside program added, “We are just so grateful
to the families and clinicians that continue to place their trust in
our services. We are looking forward to being of greater service
to additional families through our newest facility.”
Dustin, Jay, and Erin cut the ribbon.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
34
A view of the Point Dume facility’s private grounds.
A youth plays volleyball on the beach only steps away from the facility.
Experiential Therapy is conducted in the pool.
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Spacious sunny rooms house individual, group and family therapy sessions.
Youth enjoy balanced meals created by chefs under the guidance of a nutritionist.
A client enjoys the facility’s tennis court.
The Pavillion provides wonderful outdoor space for yoga and other experiential therapies.
Making ice cream is a favorite activity.
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Comfortable private and semi-private rooms are available.
PA R A D I G M
APRIL 2016
The facility is located across from the Point Dume State Reserve.
CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES AT
PARADIGM
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PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
A career at Paradigm Treatment Centers, LLC. is about
more than making a living, it’s about making a difference.
Many members of our treatment team have worked together for almost two
decades, with an unwavering commitment to excellence. However, we continue
to seek new, innovative team members who share our passion for helping young
people reclaim their lives.
Before contacting Paradigm’s Human Resources
Department regarding employment, please note the
following:
1) Paradigm Treatment Centers, LLC. requires that
all professionals be licensed or certified in their area of
expertise and that all interns be registered with their
licensing boards.
2) We are looking exclusively for candidates that have
devoted their studies and careers to the provision of
treatment for adolescents and their families.
3) The physical and emotional safety of the young people
that we serve is our highest priority. For this reason all
prospective employees at Paradigm Treatment Centers,
LLC. must agree to an exhaustive background check. This
may include, but not be limited to fingerprinting, drug
screening, verification of credentials and experience, an
FBI background check, and a Child Abuse Index check.
4) At Paradigm Treatment Centers, LLC. we value diversity.
We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age,
national origin, religion, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or veteran status.
5) Paradigm Treatment Centers takes great lengths to ensure
the confidentiality of all participants in our treatment
programs. All employees of Paradigm Treatment Centers,
LLC. must sign a stringent confidentiality agreement as a
condition of employment.
6) Transparency is central to the treatment that we provide
to teens and their families. We believe that it is essential that
youth and their family members know exactly who will be
providing any and every aspect of treatment. Therefore, we
require that all treatment team members place a photo and
bio on our web site for the review and consideration of all
prospective clients.
7) Accessibility is also a key component at Paradigm
Treatment Centers, LLC. For this reason, we require that
anyone who joins our team be available to adolescents and
their family members to answer questions, and to discuss
treatment goals and client progress.
8) At Paradigm Treatment Centers, LLC we place a heavy
emphasis on collaboration. In doing so, we require that all
members of our team be available to work with not only
fellow team members, but with therapists, teachers, coaches,
clergy or others who are working with young people prior to
admission, during treatment and post treatment.
9) We ask that anyone considering employment with Paradigm
Treatment Centers do an honest assessment of their belief
systems. Do you share our commitment of empowering
youth and their families? Are you resolute in the belief that all
adolescents must be treated with dignity and respect? Can you
hold healthy boundaries from a place of compassion? Are you
uncomfortable with punitive or compliance based programs?
If you can answer yes to all of these questions, you might be a
good fit for our team.
10) All team members at Paradigm Treatment Centers, LLC
are afforded opportunities for personal and professional
growth. It is our belief that good self care is essential
for any person wishing to be effective in the provision of
services for teen drug abuse, addiction, emotional health or
behavioral health issues. In addition to on-going training
provided to all staff members, Paradigm Treatment Center’s
team members are encouraged to seek out opportunities to
attend conferences, workshops and attain additional formal
education in their area of expertise.
If you meet or exceed these qualifications, and want to
explore the possibility of being part of our world class team,
please submit your resume to info@paradigmmalibu.com for
consideration or phone our Human Resources Department
at 310.457.6300.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
38
Paradigm in the
Cynthia
Bond
Oprah’s
Book Club
Paradigm Malibu’s Therapeutic Writing Coach, Cynthia Bond, has been involved
in multiple media events since the publication of her critically acclaimed novel
RUBY. Her New York Times Best Seller was selected for the Oprah Book
Club 2.0 with Oprah calling it “one of the best five books I have ever read.”
In addition, Cynthia was featured in a three-page spread in O Magazine and
appeared on Oprah’s Talk show Super Soul Sunday. She has also signed a
contract with Hogarth Books to write two sequels to her novel, and with Harpo
Studios to write the screenplay for RUBY. Regarding how this might impact
her role at Paradigm Cynthia stated, “Working with young people remains my
passion. I look all the more forward to sharing my journey with the youth at
Paradigm, and to helping them express themselves through writing.”
Dr. Jeff Nalin,
Larry King
the TODAY
Show
Over the course of the last few months, Paradigm Co-Founder, Dr. Jeff Nalin, has been
invited to make multiple media appearances to discuss cell phone dependence among
adolescents and its adverse impact on families, academics and social development. His
appearances have included shows ranging from Larry King Now to the TODAY show on
NBC. According to Dr. Nalin, the topic is overdue for the attention it is now receiving.
“I’m so pleased that the media has taken an interest in something that we have been
concerned with for some time,” he states. “For a number of years, families and young
people have come to us with serious concerns about how cell phone abuse is impacting
their lives. The treatment community must do a better job helping families deal with this
issue. The first step is for treatment providers to acknowledge that a very real problem
exists. I am humbled to play a role in any effort to that end.”
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PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
Greg
Louganis
Janet
Evans
Two members of Paradigm’s Teen Athletes Program board have been
featured on Wheaties boxes as the Rio de Janeiro Games draw near. Diver
Greg Louganis, swimmer Janet Evans, and hurdler Edwin Moses appear
on the “Legend” series of covers on grocery store shelves now. Upon the
announcement, Greg tweeted, “I’ve been welcomed into the Orange Box
Club!” And “It took over 30 years, but it finally happened – better late
than never!” Greg told PEOPLE Magazine, “It is so iconic and the honor
actually means more today than it would have back then. I feel like I am
embraced as a whole person, and not just for my athletics.” In addition
to serving on Paradigm’s teen athletes advisory board, Louganis and
Evans have played important roles with the LA Olympic bid committee,
attempting to bring the games back to Los Angeles in 2024. Along with
Moses, they were passed over by Wheaties during Olympic careers that
featured a combined 10 gold medals and numerous world records. “Some
things are worth the wait,” Evans said. An important life lesson for the
young people we serve.
Paradigm
James Earl Jones
Paradigm was recently featured on the series Voices In America; a program dedicated to highlighting
“innovative organizations and forward thinking industry experts in healthcare and education.” The
piece originally aired on PBS and features interviews with leaders at Paradigm, such as Jessica
Vickers, MA, LMFT, Dustin Wagner, MA and Jerri Anna Phoenix, MFA. The segment places
specific focus on some of the ways in which Paradigm is different from other treatment programs,
including the emphasis on insight-oriented work and a devotion to creating free-thinking young
people. The series is hosted by Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner James Earl
Jones, and can currently be viewed on the home page of www.paradigmmalibu.com.
Jennifer
Cassetta
ABC
Paradigm’s Nutritionist, Jennifer Casetta, has co-authored a book titled Hear Me Roar:
How to Defend Your Mind, Body and Heart. The book is co-authored with her fellow
Institute for Integrative Nutrition alum and health coach, Lindsey Smith, AKA the
Food Mood Girl. Their book was created to assist young women in developing the skill
set and knowledge base required to strengthen and protect their emotional and physical
lives. It covers a wide range of topics such as how young women can protect themselves
emotionally on social media, and physically on dates and on the streets. In addition,
readers are offered tips on how to spot “food predators” and cook healthy recipes to
fuel their bodies for a lifetime of good health and increased happiness. Young women
are also taught how to unleash their inner “she-beast” and become the fierce, fit women
they were meant to be. Inspired by Jennifer’s book and her work at Paradigm, ABC
invited her to be featured on a new fitness series where she will be sharing her “Smart
and Strong” Fitness Plan with viewers.
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
40
EVENTS
Paradigm raises funds
for Find the Children
Paradigm sponsors a number of not-for-profit organizations
designed to meet the needs of young people, most recently
helping to raise funds for the charitable organization, Find the
Children. This unique organization, founded in 1983 by the
late television producer, Linda Otto, was created to promote
communication between local and federal law enforcement,
the media, and parents of abducted children.
Linda also produced Adam, which aired on television in 1983.
The film depicted the kidnapping and murder of Adam Walsh,
the young son of Linda’s friend, John Walsh. A photo roll
call displayed at the end of the film resulted in the finding of
several missing children. It was the first time media was used to
locate missing children.
Len Anderson, board member of Find the Children receives a check from
Jay Harris MA, Deputy Director of Paradigm’s Point Dume program.
Paradigm is honored to support the good work of Find
the Children.
Paradigm Malibu sponsors
Annual Writers in Treatment Awards
Paradigm was proud to be the “Super Star Sponsor” for
the Writers in Treatment Experience, Strength and Hope
Awards on February 16th at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los
Angeles. The event honored actress MacKenzie Phillips, best
known for her work in the George Lucas’ classic American
Graffiti and her portrayal as a troubled teen in Norman Lear’s
TV series One Day at a Time. Currently scheduled to appear
in the new TV series Milo Murphy’s Law, MacKenzie is also a
trauma survivor and recovery advocate. The event was hosted
by actor and environmentalist Ed Begley Jr. (Better Call Saul).
The Experience, Strength and Hope Awards honors sober
celebrities who’ve written memoirs. There have been an
abundance of prominent authors, actors, musicians and artists
that have previously been honored, including Christopher
Kennedy Lawford; Academy Award winner, Lou Gossett, Jr;
astronaut, Buzz Aldrin; co-founder of Duran Duran, John
Taylor; acclaimed author, Carrie White; and actor/author, Joe
Pantoliano.
Actress MacKenzie Phillips and Musician John Taylor of
Duran Duran attend the Writer’s in Treatment Ceremony.
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PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
Jeremy Manne, Admissions Director of Paradigm Malibu
and Musician/Songwriter Aaron Kamin.
Therapist Karman Kamala LMFT, Diane Brown Founder and President
of Rx Art and Dr. Jeff Nalin Co-Founder, Paradigm Treatment Centers.
Paradigm sponsors fundraiser for Rx Art
A fundraiser sponsored by Paradigm Malibu recently raised more
than $60,000 for Rx Art, an organization that helps children heal
through the power of visual art. Funds are used to place art in
hospitals and other sterile healthcare facilities throughout the
United States. The event was a mixer hosted at the home of a
donor in the Malibu Colony. Guests enjoyed food, music, and
fresh ocean air.
Rx Art Founder and Executive Director Diane Brown thanked
those in attendance, commenting, “We are profoundly grateful
for Paradigm’s support. Our two organizations share a common
bond in our desire to help young people, and our belief in the
healing power of art and devotion to excellence. Through the
generosity of Paradigm and each of you here today, we will be
afforded the opportunity to continue to commission the very
best contemporary artists in the nation, to transform depressing
environments into engaging, inspiring, uplifting environments of
beauty, humor and comfort.”
Dr. Jeff Nalin, co-founder of Paradigm, responded that, “Paradigm
is proud to sponsor multiple not-for-profit organizations, but
Rx Art is among the most valued. The good work being done
at Rx Art further demonstrates what we know about the healing
power of visual arts. Art matters. Environments matter. Most
importantly, youth matter. We are honored to be a small part of
such a worthwhile effort.”
PA R A D I G M
JUNE 2016
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855.780.TEEN