Sent here back in the early 2000's. Can't speak to how it's changed, only to the impact it's had in my life. The TTI in Utah is a notorious cash cow. Heritage is likely better than the majority of surrounding RTC's. That said, I completed my MTP in <1 year while i was there, and due to a combination of my parents enjoying a child free life + the $100k annual value my internment provided, heritage was all too happy to create an entirely new MTP and keep me there for another ~ year despite their initial claims of not being able to continue my confinement if I completed my MTP. I was able to 'escape' via an alternate route - when the staff realized what I'd accomplished they asked me if I'd voluntarily remain for another ~18 months. I declined.
The therapy program I went through was lackluster, the clinical side was atrocious. I say this as a psych major, now having attended nearly 2 decades of multi modal therapies. To those who would judge harshly - I have earned my degree, I have served my country honorably and am a purple heart combat veteran. I am also ~40 years old and retired, sitting on more liquid and having a larger portfolio than most people twice my age. I have traveled the world extensively and developed, maintained, and nurtured healthy relationships while living a fulfilling life. I have served my community and peers via non profit work, working with vulnerable populations and as an educator, and I donate philanthropically. I am a healthy, happy, thriving member of our society.
Heritage played a nearly nonexistent role in my success and its contribution is largely overshadowed by its harm and deficiencies. This place left me with deep trauma and did not foster healing. This was...impotent operant conditioning at best. I do not have a relationship with my parents anymore - afaik there was zero education for the parents, there were zero conversations re: relationship and attachment dynamics, the interconnected roles of respect, emotional safety, emotional needs; minimal exploration and education re: development of self concept. Zero accountability for the family and zero conversations re: how nurturing plays the larger role in development. The internal framework I left with was....broken. I suffered nightmares for many years. In comparison, the trauma and horror I experienced in war on the ground in a combat MOS, after years of conditioning in the total institution that is the military, was easier for me to process and heal than my experience in this place. I was a child. I was especially vulnerable.
Some of the staff truly cared. They made it bearable. 'Some.' Many were cruel and callous, having no business being employed. The addiction education I received, shout out to Francisco, played a major role in my sobriety later on but failed to provide immediate results as the clinical therapy and my subsequent willingness was lacking.
Many of the individuals that were here with me while I was here are not doing well. I am an outlier. Some are in prison serving long sentences and most have surrendered to their addiction or trauma. Few, thrive.
The TTI as a whole is not to be trusted. Profits mean more to them than your child's well-being. Your child's well-being starts with you, your ability to take accountability and ownership of your role; your healing, humility, education and growth. There are many resources available to you that do not require this intervention. Be cautious. Your child deserves you at your best. The cycle of intergenerational trauma will not end, unless you take it upon yourself to recognize and dismantle the bars of your own cage.
