After wilderness, I had a choice between Red Mountain Sedona and an all-girls’ transitional [program]. I chose Red Mountain in part because it was co-ed and in part because my parents liked the meditation and yoga that RMS offered.
My parents were right that the meditation and yoga were very helpful to me. Over time, meditation has evolved from being a chore to being a habit for me. Some of the sessions brought up a lot of emotions, which was surprising because I had done a lot of that work in wilderness. I also learned a lot about Buddhism and mindfulness while I was at RMS, and my perspective changed while I was there. I realized that two people can look at the same situation and see it differently, and that helped me understand my family dynamic better.
The routines at RMS were a challenge for me at first, but now that I’m a graduate, I miss the structure.
My advice to anyone considering Red Mountain is that you have to want to get better and you have to be willing to put in the work. You should be prepared for a lot of emotional growth, which can be painful. The results don’t come overnight, either. Then, when you graduate, you have to apply what you have learned to real life and to your own family. That’s what I’m doing now: working two jobs, going to school, and continuing to meet with a therapist and a life coach. Thanks to Red Mountain, I’m doing great!
—Student