7 Week Intensive Program

Day one will provide clients with an overview of our programs basic rules and structure as well as provide some outdoor instruction. Clients will engage in a short hike and will be given a foundation for DBT and mindfulness. Clients will be involved in two DBT groups and will have approximately 1 hour of outdoor activity instructions. The remaining time will be spent interacting with other clients/ life coaches and engaging in the outdoor activity. Most days will follow this basic structure.

Day two clients will jump right into more technical outdoor skills and more technical emotional skills. Clients will be taught how to set ropes, put on gear, climb, and care for their gear. They will be provided with climbing shoes and harnesses to use for the day. At the start of day one they will also receive a day pack, water bottle, and several other items they will keep even after the program. On day two clients will spend time using mindfulness skills to manage their emotions and fears as they learn how to climb.

Day three our clients will enjoy a little more relaxing day. They will be given instruction on paddle boarding and some yoga techniques they can practice while on their paddle boards. Most clients will be paired up for paddle boarding and will tackle groups and team building activities as a duo. They will be given instruction on how to tolerate feelings of distress and accepting not being in an ideal situation. This intro to these skills will be a great preparation for the mountain biking excursion that will take place the following week.

On day four clients will be provided with mountain bikes and helmets. Clients are also welcome to bring their own gear if they desire. They will engage in biking that is likely a little more rigorous than they are used to. They will be given opportunities to practice their distress tolerance skills and also be given some instruction on how to identify and change their emotions to help them in distressing situations.

Day five our clients will continue to practice emotional regulation and also give back to the community. UTOT is proud to partner with the Jordan River Commission on our kayaking days. Clients will engage in river clean up while they are kayaking through areas of the Jordan River and associated rivers. They will also engage in some trail clean up outside of the river as well.

Day six will likely be a little warmer as we move into the middle of the summer. This day may be a little more flexible if there is a day with extreme weather. This day will give clients an amazing opportunity to practice their interpersonal skills with real people. We will support clients as they step out of their comfort zone and engage with people in the community.

On our seventh and final day clients will have an opportunity to celebrate making it through the program. They will enjoy a day at the lake, but it won't be a free play day the whole time. Clients will have opportunities to practice and review all the skills they have worked on and they will set goals for how to successfully continue to implement these goals in their lives. Clients will also receive a little bit of instruction on skim boarding and ultimate frisbee.