As an Outreach Manager, I am often on the road on behalf of Spring Lake Ranch. This month, I joined our ED Rachel Stark in Detroit for the 2025 IECA Annual Conference. IECA stands for Independent Educational Consultant Association. We were there because of the growing field of therapuetic consultation, where knowledgeable professionals help match people with an appropriate mental health treatment facility. Here’s a rundown of what I saw:
Zach Rausch delivered a keynote titled “Freeing the Anxious Generation: Collective Action to Restore Healthy Childhood,” focusing on the impact of technology on adolescents. This was the opening session where Rausch, an Associate Research Scientist at NYU Stern School of Business and lead researcher for The Anxious Generation, highlighted that Generation Z is the first to experience puberty with constant access to smartphones, which often draw them away from real-world interactions into an addictive and unstable digital environment. He discussed how this shift contributes to increased anxiety among young adults and emphasized the need for collective action by teens, parents, schools, and legislators to reclaim and restore healthy childhood experiences in the real world.
Another session I attended was “The Power of Farm-Based Therapeutic Healing Communities” which brought together five leading programs—Gould Farm, Spring Lake Ranch, Hopewell, Cooper Riis, and Rose Hill Center—to showcase the unique role of nature-integrated, work-based healing environments in mental health recovery.
Our ED Rachel Stark highlighted how these communities blend clinical support with meaningful farm work, fostering a sense of purpose, connection, and resilience. All the CEO’s shared outcomes from a collaborative pilot project, demonstrating the effectiveness of these models in supporting individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.
Key takeaways included:
- Nature as a therapeutic partner: Leveraging the healing power of natural settings to promote well-being.
- Work as therapy: Engaging in purposeful farm tasks to build skills and confidence.
- Community integration: Emphasizing shared experiences and mutual support within a communal living environment.
This session underscored the potential of farm-based therapeutic communities to offer holistic, person-centered care that complements traditional mental health services.
I attended a Therapeutic Swap which provided a platform for educational consultants and therapeutic program representatives to exchange information and insights. We facilitated discussions on program developments, best practices, and emerging trends in therapeutic education. Attendees had the opportunity to network, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies to better support students requiring therapeutic interventions.
There was also a session focusing on the challenges and strategies of communicating with parents in educational consulting. Highlighted challenges included managing parental anxiety, setting realistic expectations, and navigating the complexities of family dynamics. Speakers emphasized the importance of clear, empathetic communication, establishing trust, and maintaining professional boundaries. Strategies discussed involved active listening, consistent updates, and collaborative goal-setting to ensure alignment between consultants and families.
Dr. Tony Meiners, Clinical Director of The Neurodivergent Collective, led a panel titled “Neurodiversity Informed & Affirming Support.” This session emphasized recognizing neurodivergence—such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia—as natural variations in human cognition and emotion, rather than deficits.
Key principles discussed included:
- Non-pathologizing: Viewing neurodivergence as a difference, not a disorder.
- Strengths-based: Focusing on individual talents and abilities.
- Collaboration and Autonomy: Partnering with individuals and respecting their self-determination.
- Rejection of Conformity: Moving away from expecting neurotypical behavior as the norm.
- Accessibility by Design: Creating inclusive environments that support diverse neurotypes.
The session highlighted the importance of integrated support across schools, therapeutic settings, and during transitions, aiming to foster resilience and meaningful progress for neurodivergent individuals.
Lastly, there was a Therapeutic Community Breakout Session which brought together consultants and program representatives for an interactive discussion on key shifts in the therapeutic education field. The session covered:
- The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and how it’s shaping accountability and practices in therapeutic programs.
- The rise of insurance-based programming, examining accessibility, limitations, and how it’s reshaping care models.
- Redefining therapeutic schools, challenging traditional definitions and exploring new models.
- Broadening services beyond traditional clients, focusing on reaching diverse populations and adapting to evolving family needs.
The session emphasized collaboration, reflection, and action to adapt to the changing landscape of therapeutic support.
In addition to the informative sessions and presentations, the five therapeutic farm communities co-hosted a special event that tied into the Detroit setting. Held at the historic Ford Piquette Plant, marketing managers from Cooper Riis, Rose Hill Center, Spring Lake Ranch, Gould Farm, Hopewell, and the Lindner Center co-organized Driven to Heal: Assembling Mental Health Solutions Together, a catered gathering for a variety of mental health professionals. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and dancing while exploring Ford’s rich history in Detroit and viewing the iconic cars developed at the plant over the years.
It was a great trip! I learned a lot and made connections for the Ranch. One of the biggest goals of the five therapeutic farm communities is to spread the word about our model and its remarkable outcomes through events like this.
