Phoenix Outdoor Launches Wilderness Therapy Program for Teens and Families in Crisis

ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Phoenix Outdoor LLC today announced the launch of a new therapeutic adolescent wilderness program that provides comprehensive crisis intervention and assessment for families with teenagers ages 13-17. Headquartered in Atlanta, with its wilderness operation in the mountains of western North Carolina, Phoenix Outdoor is a therapeutic and educational program that is engineered to be a safe and effective means to help teenagers stop harmful behavior and motivate positive choices in their lives.

Phoenix Outdoor is assembling the most experienced and professional staff in the industry who are dedicated to bringing about positive change for students and their families. Doctorate and master-level therapists oversee the needs of students who participate in weekly individual and group therapy, a values-based curriculum, and adventure-based programming. When Phoenix begins accepting adolescents in the spring of 2005, the program will provide comprehensive services to families that include family therapy, psychoeducational and supportive teleconference calls, and a parent support options.

"I was inspired to start Phoenix Outdoor by the struggles of my own teenage daughter," said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO and founder of Phoenix Outdoor. "As a high school freshman, my daughter began experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and more dangerous activities followed. Ultimately her behavior created a life-threatening crisis for her and our family. After instituting significant restrictions and attempting outpatient therapy, I realized that the crisis could not be solved through traditional means and I enrolled her in a wilderness therapy program. While the program helped her considerably, the needs of the family were neglected. I realized that attending to a child's crisis without addressing the family is incomplete and results in a less than a positive outcome."

Phoenix Outdoor recognizes the pain, confusion, and emotional trauma that families experience from having a child in-crisis and their subsequent placement outside of the home. As a result, Phoenix considers the needs of the family as integral to any successful outcome. Phoenix's staff of mental health professionals, educators, family therapists and field instructors collaborate to achieve treatment goals for both the teenage participant as well as their family.

The Phoenix Outdoor wilderness program is designed with the safety of each teenager in mind. Participants are equipped with state-of-the-art camping equipment and clothing made to weather prevailing environmental conditions. Field instructors are equipped with the finest technology in the industry including Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and satellite phones. Phoenix's unique wilderness base camp model ensures students are supplied with the appropriate resources for outdoor living while they also benefit from an immersed experience in nature. Phoenix Outdoor is committed to providing an environment where participants are given innumerable opportunities to succeed. Ultimately, teenagers in the program develop a positive outlook about their future and a desire to build a healthy relationship with their family.

About Phoenix Outdoor

Phoenix Outdoor is a therapeutic adolescent wilderness program that provides comprehensive crisis intervention and assessment for families with teenagers ages 13-17. Headquartered in Atlanta, with its wilderness operation in the mountains of western North Carolina, Phoenix Outdoor is engineered to be a safe means to help teenagers stop harmful behavior and motivate more positive choices in their lives. Phoenix combines proven and innovative treatment strategies with significant family support.

Unlike "boot camp" models, Phoenix is an adventure-based program designed specifically to offer adolescents healthy physical exercise and challenge, a values-based curriculum, and supportive peer groups to optimize opportunities for success.

Phoenix Outdoor will begin accepting adolescents into the program beginning in the Spring of 2005. For more information visit www.phoenixoutdoor.com or call 888-868-8233.

CONTACT:  Phoenix Outdoor 
          Bruce Ahern
          VP Business Development
          (770) 650-8233 x322
          bahern@phoenixoutdoor.com