For Survivors
For people who went through a troubled teen program: support groups, advice written by other survivors, legal options and places to tell your story.
Office of Congressman Ro Khanna, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Surviving the TTI was hard enough. Now what?
You’re likely trying to make sense of what happened to you. You might be feeling insecure and unsure whether your program was “bad enough” for your trauma to count. More than likely, you’re unpacking complicated feelings about your mental health, your family, and what it might mean to heal.
Every survivor’s story is a little different, but most of them overlap in meaningful ways. This section aims to address some of our shared needs as survivors. You’ll find resources here that address practical needs, as well as sources of emotional support and community.
Support Groups
It can be very difficult to explain TTI experiences to people who never lived through them. Connecting with other survivors can be a powerful way to learn from others who went through similar experiences first. Online survivor communities can also be a great way to reconnect with old friends from past programs.
Even in well-moderated communities, some posts will likely trigger painful memories. It is also important to note that TTI staff have been known to infiltrate survivor communities for malicious reasons. Always be cautious before sharing potentially personally identifying information online.
Facebook Support Groups:
WWASP Survivors
Survivors Unrestrained
The TTI Survivor Community
Survivorland
Survivors Unrestrained Official Website
Survivors Unrestrained hosts virtual support groups for TTI survivors every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM EST. Please be aware that non-survivors are not invited to attend.
Click here for Tuesday’s Zoom link.
Click here for Thursday’s Zoom link.
A Survivor’s Guide to Legal Action Against Troubled Teen Industry Programs
by Shannon Saul
Have you considered filing a lawsuit against your former program? This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of preparing for your case.
Click here to read or download
More Survivor-authored Advice
Tips for Enjoying Nature as a Wilderness Therapy Program Survivor
Survivor Art & Media
We found these works to be particularly helpful for validation and emotional processing. Please be aware that they contain graphic accounts and videos of extreme child abuse.
Joe Vs Elan School
Speak Out
Several organizations currently exist to amplify survivor stories. You may wish to share details of your experiences with one or more of the following groups.
Institutional Child Abuse Prevention and Advocacy (ICAPA) Network
Written for survivors
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TTI Survivors: Common Experiences
What many survivors feel after leaving a program: confusion, mistrust and the fear of being sent back.
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Spiritual Abuse & Religious Trauma in the Troubled Teen Industry
How programs misuse religious belief and authority, and the religious trauma that follows.
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Survivor Resources: Nature
Getting back to green spaces after a wilderness program, on your own terms.
Share what you know
- Upload documents anonymously Records, letters or photos from a program. Encrypted before they leave your browser.
- Tell us about a program Add or correct what we hold on a facility.