Fé's Daily Post
Survivors Speak Out on the Hidden Horrors of Behavioral Reform Programs
Paris Hilton-backed bill to stop child abuse in troubled teen industry passes House
Troubled Teen Industry Is ‘Taxpayer-Funded Child Abuse,’ Senate Report and Paris Hilton Say. Where Are the Government Regulators?
As ‘troubled teen’ industry scrutiny builds, litigation follows
I wrote this article as part of my PWS (Profielwerkstuk). My research focused on how to write a journalistic article, and since I aspire to become a journalist, I chose this topic. Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in exposing hidden issues, and I wanted to apply my research by shedding light on an important yet often overlooked subject. I researched by interviewing victims, looking through legal documents, and watching interviews. Through this article, I aimed to develop my journalistic skills while informing readers about the realities of the troubled teen industry.
Author: Fé Sanne Maas
Publishing date: 14th of February 2025
Synanon, founded in 1958 by Charles Dederich who believed that AA wasn't tough enough for addicts. By the late 1970s, Synanon had turned into a cult. It developed an "attack therapy" named the Synanon Game, where members were encouraged to verbally confront and humiliate each other in group sessions, sometimes even leading to using violence. This practice aimed to break down emotional defenses and cure addiction or misbehavior. This harsh approach using confrontation relied on verbal humiliation and forced self-reflection, became a hallmark of the troubled teen industry. Synanon's techniques influenced programs like World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP), a notable TTI organization.
Steve Cartisano was a significant figure who took benefit of the severe tactics used in the troubled teen industry. He established North Star Expeditions in 1988, a "wilderness therapy" initiative that claimed to rehabilitate at-risk youth through extreme outdoor survival methods. In 1990, his program, which exposed teenagers to harsh circumstances, was finally shut down following the death of 16-year-old Kristen Chase, who died from dehydration and heatstroke while in the program's care. Although Cartisano was charged with negligent homicide, he was acquitted. Even after North Star Expeditions closed, his influence endured; his model became the template for numerous following wilderness programs that still utilize coercion, deprivation, and psychological manipulation masked as therapy.
The Problem
TTI thrives on fear, deception, and profit, targeting vulnerable families searching for help. These for-profit programs claim to rehabilitate struggling youth, but behind their promises lies a system built on abuse and exploitation. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), numerous reports detail cases of neglect, psychological harm, and even deaths within these institutions, demonstrating the widespread failure of oversight (GAO, 2008).
It was 1989, and I thought I was just getting ready for another day of school. But instead, in the middle of the night, I was woken up by two large men. They stood there, stern and unmoving, and told me, "Get up, get dressed, you're coming with us." I froze. They warned me that if I tried to run, they'd handcuff me. I felt the icy grip of fear, but I refused to show it. "No," I said, trying to sound braver than I felt. They grabbed me and dragged me out of the house. Before I could process what was happening, I found myself on a private plane. One of the men looked at me and asked, "Do you want to know where you're going?" I didn’t want to give in to the fear that was bubbling inside, so I just shook my head and said, "Nope." The flight seemed endless, but when I finally got off, I was greeted by a man and a woman. They put me in a car, and as we drove, I couldn't help but wonder, What the hell is going on? We drove for what felt like hours, through barren desert land, until we arrived at some kind of facility. The man handed me a note written on the back of an envelope. It read, "This is for the best, we love you. Mom & Dad." It hit me like a punch to the gut. These people weren’t just random strangers—they were paid by my parents to kidnap me.
~survivors statement (Netflix; Hellcamp [Tv-series] 2023)
This is an accurate description of how most teenagers are kidnapped and pulled out of their homes when heading to a troubled teen facility.
What is the Troubled Teen Industry?
The troubled teen industry (TTI) is an industry that claims to rehabilitate troubled teenagers through various practices. These facilities are privately run, and the industry constitutes a multi-billion-dollar industry. The people teens that participate in these programs are considered to have struggles with learning disabilities, emotional regulation, mental illness, and substance abuse. These teens are labeled as ''troubled teens'' or delinquents. Sometimes these programs are used as punishment when a teen doesn't achieve their parents' expectations. For example, one person was placed in a troubled teen program because her mother found her choice in boyfriends unacceptable. The troubled teen industry has had many scandals due to child abuse, institutional corruption, and deaths.
From Victims to Survivors: The Untold Stories of Troubled Teen Programs
Unregulated and often hidden from public scrutiny, these institutions strip teens of their rights, using isolation, coercion, and harsh punishments under the guise of treatment. Survivor testimonies reveal that many teens experience physical and emotional trauma, with staff using abusive tactics to maintain control (Breaking Code Silence, n.d.). A litigation group formed by the American Association for Justice highlights the systemic nature of these abuses, noting that legal action is often necessary for families seeking justice (American Association for Justice, n.d.). Worse, this isn’t just an American issue—many teens are sent abroad, where weak regulations allow even greater harm. Survivors interviewed by Breaking Code Silence recall being transported to foreign facilities in the middle of the night, stripped of their autonomy, and subjected to harsh conditions (Breaking Code Silence, n.d.).
The TTI profits off childhood suffering, turning pain into a business while survivors are left to pick up the pieces for years to come. A Vice News exposé further illustrates this reality, featuring firsthand accounts of the abuse that continues to occur in these programs (VICE News, 2021).
Voices against the Troubled Teen Industry
One of the most high-profile voices in the fight against the troubled teen industry is Paris Hilton, also known as the first influencer. She has become a leading advocate for change in the system. Though she is widely known as a wealthy socialite and media icon, Hilton’s privileged image masked a deeply traumatic past. In September 2020, she launched a campaign against the TTI, breaking her silence about the abuse she endured at Provo Canyon School, a facility notorious for its harsh treatment of youth.
Paris Hilton protesting against Provo Canyon, a TTI facility
How did the troubled teen industry manifest?
Many critics of these facilities point to a lack of federal laws in the US governing them. In addition to their controversial therapeutic practices, many former residents report being forcibly transported to facilities by teen escort companies.
Hilton has spoken openly about her trauma, revealing that she still suffers from daily nightmares about her experiences. In the documentary This Is Paris (2020), she recounts the moment she was forcibly taken from her home as a teenager. “Two men came into my bedroom in the middle of the night,” she recounts. “They grabbed me and asked, ‘Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?’” The abduction marked the beginning of years of suffering in institutions designed to break children down. She describes enduring physical violence, constant surveillance by male staff—even while showering—and relentless psychological abuse. “They beat me,” she recalls, adding that she was often punished in front of other girls as a form of humiliation.
Hilton’s strict upbringing played a role in her parents' decision to send her away. Forbidden from dating or going out, she began modeling and clubbing against their wishes. Her family, fearing she would damage their reputation, found a solution that would “fix” her behavior. Instead, she was subjected to forced labor, relentless punishment, and an environment designed to strip children of their identity. “It wasn’t just about punishment—it was about stripping you of your dignity,” she has said. “You weren’t allowed to be human. You were just a number” (Breaking Code Silence, n.d.).
Hilton’s testimony inspired others to come forward. Danielle Bregoli, better known as rapper Bhad Bhabie, revealed her own horrifying experience at Turn-About Ranch, a facility promoted by The Dr. Phil Show. Like Hilton, she was taken from her home in the middle of the night, forced into a program that malnourished, abused, and neglected its residents. Bregoli recounts that she witnessed an employee being murdered by a fellow teen in distress and was denied medical care when she developed a urinary tract infection (Bregoli, 2021). “They strip you down from the person you were,” she said. “They break you completely so they can ‘build you up again.”
Bregoli gave Dr. Phil 14 days to respond to the allegations, but he deflected blame, insisting he had no involvement in the facility’s treatment methods; it was like saying ‘not my circus, not my monkeys.’ However, Turn-About Ranch remains listed on his website, and he continues to refer troubled teens there. Additionally, reports confirm that he receives progress updates about the teens he sends, indicating an ongoing relationship with the program.
Casa By The Sea, located in Ensenada, Mexico, was part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASP), a network known for its abusive practices. The program was operating under the guise of a behavioral modification facility. The program marketed itself to parents as a solution for troubled teens. By manipulating the parents, the program could convince them that its methods were effective. The program provided parent manuals, which told them that their kids would try to manipulate them into being taken out of the program. These manuals convinced parents that this resistance was a part of their children's progress. However, the reality was far from its promises. Survivors’ testimonies reveal harrowing conditions, systemic abuse, and a culture of fear and control.
Survivors like Rocky Kandola and Katie recount arriving at Casa By The Sea under false pretenses. For example, Katie was drugged and taken to the facility against her will. In the same way, Rocky remembers being deceived by his parents; he thought he was going to a supportive school, only to discover that it was more like a prison. The deteriorated look of the facility and its quiet corridors instilled an instant feeling of fear, which foreshadowed the abuse to come.
Casa by the Sea
Following Bregoli’s statement, YouTuber Abby Park also came forward with her experiences at Turn-About Ranch, further validating the claims of abuse. Park described being denied water, punished for mentioning music, and forced to sleep on the floor without a pillow. Those in the lowest behavioral tier, known as “Roundy,” had to endure sleeping conditions so harsh that even small privileges, like a wooden plank to sleep on, were considered a reward. Severe physical punishments, such as walking in circles for days in the suffocating Utah heat, were routine. Park confirmed that even minor infractions, such as singing or talking about home life, resulted in extreme disciplinary action. Survivors like Hilton, Bregoli, and Park continue to speak out for those who cannot, exposing the harsh realities of the TTI and demanding accountability from those who profit from childhood suffering. Their testimonies reveal not only the physical and psychological damage inflicted in these institutions but also the lasting impact that follows survivors into adulthood. As the movement against the TTI gains momentum, more voices are joining the fight to shut down these facilities and prevent future generations from enduring the same fate.
When they arrived, the survivors were disturbed by the oppressive atmosphere of the facility. “Like the temperature gets colder, there's no lights really. They start grabbing you and pushing you and just, you know, ripping your clothes off, taking your stuff, shaving your hair. So it goes from like, oh, I'm with my mom, like going to a school to all of a sudden like, this is crazy,” Rocky tells me. “It felt like the walls were closing in on you. You could sense that something was wrong from the moment you walked in.” For the teens, Casa By The Sea was not a school—it was a place where there was fear and every step was monitored.
Rocky describes the daily routine that started from the moment they woke up: “Each day is basically the same. You wake up, you know, the first 10 days you’re sleeping on the ground in the hallway,” he recalls. “They’d wake you up by banging pots and pans together and screaming at you, calling you names, like ‘wake up, you stupid fuckers.’” The abuse wasn’t just physical—it was psychological, creating an atmosphere of fear and humiliation. “You have like three to five minutes to shower, shit, and shave, even if you’re only 11 or 12 years old. It didn’t matter. They made you shave. Then you’d start cleaning.”
I received an anonymous survivor's testimony from a survivor of Evoke Entrada. This is their story: At 3 a.m., three men entered their childhood bedroom. "Do not resist!" they shouted, pinning them down before dragging them into a van. They screamed for their parents, only to be told, “Your parents gave us full guardianship.” Stripped of their rights, they were transported from Ohio to Utah, where their time at Evoke Entrada began. Wilderness therapy programs like Evoke Entrada promise healing to well-trusting parents but often deliver trauma.
Survivors report physical restraint, forced silence, starvation, and psychological abuse. “We hiked 10 miles a day in brutal heat,” they recalled. “If we didn’t move fast enough, we were punished.” Hygiene was nonexistent. Girls were denied feminine products; instead, they received something called a pee cloth which wasn't replaced throughout the program. They were monitored while using the bathroom and forced to give up their clothes at night.
“They told my parents I refused to eat. In reality, I was starving.” Food was weaponized, with staff controlling rations and forcing games for basic sustenance like the game "Who laid the surfy," which was a game of finding out who defecated. A mix of peanuts and raisins was a prize for winning these games. “We fought each other for scraps while staff placed bets.” The games turned the teenagers against each other, resulting in them accusing each other of things that didn't happen. A game that was Guess the Smell was the worst, according to the testimony I received, stating, “The worst game was 'Guess the Smell,' where we had to guess the source of a horrific stench. Years later, I learned it was the smell of a girl who had passed away.”
One of the most dangerous moments they experienced was when they ran out of water for three days. Staff checked their pulses with stopwatches, but no one cared about their dehydration. On the fourth day, a storm hit, and we were forced to dig trenches for shelter. “During the storm, I drank water from the trench out of desperation, hoping it wouldn’t be the end of me.” Survivors were prevented from telling their parents the truth. “Letters were censored. If you mentioned abuse, they were never sent.” The FBI once visited, but the program's conditioning kept victims silent. “We wanted to speak, but fear kept us quiet.”
Even though Evoke Entrada got shut down in November 2021, similar programs still exist, like the program Turnabout Ranch, which was mentioned earlier. These programs remain profitable businesses preying on vulnerable families. Parents are manipulated into paying thousands, believing they are helping their child. In reality, as the anonymous survivor put it, “This wasn’t therapy. It was controlled. It was abuse.” Survivors are now speaking out, demanding justice and accountability. “We survived the wilderness. Now, we expose the truth.”
A Call for Reform in the Troubled Teen Industry
The troubled teen industry flourishes through secrecy, dishonesty, and financial gain, exploiting the vulnerability of families in search of answers for their children’s psychological problems. What started as a trial for addiction recovery with Synanon developed into a vast industry worth billions, one that often inflicts more harm than healing. Testimonies from survivors depict a chilling portrayal of mistreatment, neglect, and systemic defects that rob young individuals of their self-expression, dignity, and mental health.
Even though awareness is growing, these programs still function under weak regulations at both the national and international levels. Although well-known supporters such as Paris Hilton and Danielle Bregoli have highlighted the concealed horrors of the industry, actual change remains slow. However, the resilience of survivors provides hope. They call for accountability, legal reforms, and the destruction of an industry built on suffering.
The TTI's existence is a strong reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority in the name of rehabilitation. As more survivors step forward, the fight for justice keeps growing stronger. Only through exposure of the issues, legislative action, and survivor advocacy can we hope to protect future generations from experiencing the same fate. The time for change is now.