Frequently Asked Questions

Align is a dual-diagnosis residential treatment program and therapeutic boarding school for males grades 9 through 12. We offer evidence-based clinical care, a fully accredited academic program, 12 Step recovery support, family therapy, and experiential programming on our 100+ acre campus outside Tucson, Arizona.

We specialize in helping adolescent males who are struggling with:

• Depression, anxiety, or mood instability
• Substance use or early-stage addiction
• Trauma, Academic Trauma, or PTSD
• Difficulties related to neurodivergence such as ADD/ADHD, executive functioning, emotional regulation, peer connections, and high-functioning ASD. 
• School refusal, emotional intelligence, or academic decline
• Relapse after short-term treatment such as wilderness, 60-90 day RTC programs, or outpatient treatment

Each student receives an individualized treatment plan and is supported by a full team of trauma-informed relational clinicians, academic staff, and mentors.

Align follows a semester-based model, allowing for flexibility while maintaining structure.

• Most students stay 5–7 months, depending on their therapeutic progress.
• Some extend their stay across multiple semesters or transition into our young adult program (Pivot).

Yes. We work with most PPO insurance plans and offer in-house billing support to help you access available benefits.

Our process includes:

• Complimentary Verification of Benefits (VOB)
• Pre-authorization and medical necessity documentation
• Courtesy billing and ongoing claim management

Please note: Align is out-of-network with most providers, but families often receive significant reimbursement based on their plan.

We offer a fully accredited, on-campus high school. Students receive in-person instruction from experienced teachers and special education staff. We support IEPs, 504s, and offer credit recovery, college prep, and personalized academic planning.

Credits earned are fully transferable and aligned with Arizona state standards.

Students live in structured, comfortable housing on our secure campus. Rooms are shared and supervised, with daily routines that support consistency, accountability, and community. Meals are dietitian-informed and served in our campus dining area. Daily schedules include clinical work, school, chores, fitness, and recreation.

At Align, we integrate both:

• Somatic experiencing through horsemanship involves therapeutic interaction with horses under the guidance of clinicians and facilitators.
• Horsemanship is a skills-based program where students learn to care for, ride, and build trust with horses through consistent work.

Both approaches support nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and relationship-building.

Yes. Families are encouraged to participate in intensive family weekends, which include in-person workshops, therapy sessions, and opportunities to reconnect. Ongoing family therapy is held via Zoom, and campus visits outside of those weekends may be arranged with your son’s treatment team as clinically appropriate.

Align fosters a values-driven community where more experienced, solution-oriented students mentor newer ones, peers hold each other accountable with kindness, and leadership is earned through action. We now speak more directly about brotherhood, mentorship, and relational growth.

Select students who have demonstrated leadership, academic progress, and emotional growth may be invited on international adventure-service trips. Destinations have included Costa Rica, Nepal, Peru, and Tanzania. These experiences are earned—not given—and focus on cultural immersion, community service, and team bonding.

Note: Participation is based on clinical readiness and staff approval. The cost of these trips are not included in tuition, however students are given the opportunity to fundraise. 

We offer one of the most comprehensive parent support programs in the field, including:

• Weekly family therapy with an experienced clinician
• Multi-day family weekends with workshops and experiential sessions
• Weekly Zoom-based parent support groups, Big Book studies, and Al-Anon-style meetings
• A dedicated Parent Liaison to guide you throughout the process

Access to Other Parents Like Me (OPLM), an online peer support network founded by alumni families

Yes! While we know there is work to be done, we also know adolescents need to have fun and have things to look forward to. On the weekends we typically offer outings such as dinners off campus, trips to skateparks, paint balling, rock climbing, movies, hikes, trail rides, and many more. 

There are several ways to ensure the program you are choosing is safe:

• Look for programs with Joint Commission Accreditation. The Joint Commission is a national, independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality and patient safety.
• Look for programs that provide opportunities for you to speak with previous clients and their families and hear about their experience directly.