In the last few years or so, wilderness therapy has become the go-to for many, especially young adults in the United States. But, back in 2017, this led to a young boy’s death while enrolled in a therapy program by Wingate Wilderness Therapy, which we now know as the Wingate Wilderness Therapy Lawsuit. Let’s see what this was all about.
A Little Bit About Wingate Wilderness Therapy
Wingate Wilderness Therapy is a treatment program situated in southern Utah, established in 1989, for adolescents who suffer from behavioral problems such as addiction, depression, anxiety, and trauma. During the powerful therapy sessions at the program, teenage clients are provided with a healthier approach to coping with various behavioral issues and dealing with stress and sadness while also being able to participate in exciting adventure activities out in the wild.
Details of the Wingate Wilderness Therapy Lawsuit
The Wingate Wilderness Therapy lawsuit was initiated in April 2017, when Jeanne Woodford-Couchman sued the program for negligence and wrongful death on behalf of her son Jacob Couchman, who died in March of that year while enrolled in the program. According to the complaint, Jacob, who had struggled with depression and substance abuse, was sent by his family to Wingate for an ‘intensive, individualized’ treatment program that they hoped would lead to recovery but also that they could afford, at $20,000 a month. The complaint alleges that Couchman did not receive adequate care and supervision at Wingate.
What Allegations Were Made During This Wingate Wilderness Therapy Lawsuit?
The lawsuit has accused the program of having caused participants ‘severe emotional distress’ and ‘extensive physical injuries’, with staff who have left the program claiming various additions of abuse and neglect. Allegations include that, on some occasions, participants had to share sleeping bags, that rations were kept low and water was rationed; and that participants were berated brutally by program staff. In one incident, a Virginia boy fell ill from dehydration and was sent home but, when he returned, was taken to hospital for treatment for severe dehydration and serious malnutrition.
What Went Down In The Courtroom Hearings?
The family of the Virginia boy filed the lawsuit in August 2019, and later the same month a separate lawsuit was filed by two former employees accusing the facility of unlawful termination. The former staffers said they spoke up about what they saw as unethical practices and were fired in retaliation, they claimed that they had witnessed mistreatment of Wingate students, including corporal punishment and withholding of food as a punishment. Both lawsuits are still pending, as of yet, no resolution has been reached. And yes, the previous 2017 case against the very same party, which was settled out of the court, even adds more complexity to this current case.
What Did WinGate Say?
In response, Wingate Wilderness Therapy has stated that the safety of students is ‘always our top priority’ while noting that its program staff is ‘trained and certified in a bunch of treatment skills’. Despite the serious allegations made against it, Wingate maintains that the program ‘provides a safe and comfortable place for teens to challenge themselves’ and that their daily operations do not mirror the incidents detailed in the lawsuit. They stated that Wingate has been providing wilderness therapy for more than 30 years, helping young people overcome their challenges with a mix of therapy, adventure activities, academic support, and life skills training.
