WHO WE ARE

Penrith Farms began operating as a Specialized Therapeutic Community in Eastern Washington in 1983. Located on 320 acres of timber and farmland, Penrith Farms is an ideal setting for young men and women, ages 18-26, to make the transition into responsible adulthood. At Penrith Farms, young men and women are integrated into a therapeutic community devoted to personal commitment, communication, and self-discovery.

The goal of Penrith Farms is to teach young adults skills that are necessary for them to succeed in an increasingly competitive society by providing them with a strong sense of self-worth, positive work ethics, and communication skills. In addition, our goal is to assist our clients in becoming productive, self-motivated, and responsible adults.

WHO WE HELP

Penrith Farms accepts young adults, 18 to 26 years of age, with a combination of social, emotional, academic, and behavioral challenges.

The individualized approach utilized at Penrith allows us to serve a wide population. Many of our clients exhibit one or more of the following:

• Depression and other mood disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Learning disabilities
• Attachment disorders
• Eating disorders (mild severity)
• Substance abuse (in remission)
• Emancipation and adoption issues
• Poor impulse control
• Strained family relationships
• Lack of responsibility and accountability
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of realistic goals
• Lack of problem solving skills
• Low self-esteem
• Poor judgment
• Ineffective communication skills
• Anger management problems
• Defiance and oppositional behavior
• Involvement with the legal system
• History of abuse (e.g., victim of physical, emotional, sexual, verbal abuse, etc.)

THE PENRITH DIFFERENCE

Penrith Farms surpasses all other residential programs because of its structure, community, and its round the clock commitment of service to the young adult members of the community.

The advantage a therapeutic community has, compared to a wilderness program, boarding school, or residential treatment center, is the ability to connect with each member from a more realistic, spontaneous, and honest perspective. The outcome of this type of connection is a relationship based on trust. Trust is a major consideration for any therapeutic interaction. Without trust, therapy becomes nothing more than a word game of “hide and seek” and core issues are never uncovered. At Penrith Farms, the discovery and resolution of the core issues that lead to non-productive behaviors is our goal.

Penrith Farms employs a positive peer culture; members are responsible for encouraging each other to succeed and holding each other accountable for their words and actions. A positive peer culture creates a foundation for discovering personal responsibility and developing essential leadership skills through appropriate role modeling

The work venues, music instruction, and horsemanship curriculum offer opportunities for young adults to develop effective communication skills through the process of cooperation and completion.

Penrith Farms is a full-member of NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs), organizational member of AEE (Association for Experiential Education) and EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association).