I was sent to Spring Ridge Academy (SRA) in the spring of 1998, against my will. SRA was marketing as an “emotional growth boarding school” and was founded by Jeannie Courtney. Prior to starting SRA, Courtney was married to David Gilcrease and the two of them were known to facilitate “seminars” at Cross Creek, among other places. These seminars became the basis of the SRA program which involves phased levels that “students”progress through. Progress is determined both by perceived adherence and “buy in” to the program as well as peer judgement. SRA utilized attack therapy methods via intense feedback groups. The “therapists” on staff were often unlicensed. My “therapist” held a degree from an unaccredited new-age online university. Detainees experienced facility-sanctioned and systematic emotional, physical and psychological abuse in the form of humiliation, degradation, isolation, shunning, forced silence, deprivation of food/water, restricted bathroom access. I am aware of allegations of rape and sexual abuse by staff members. Though I did not witness this occur, I experienced inappropriate comments and touching by male staff. Many of us experienced a lack of proper medical care resulting in lifelong physical damage in some cases. Often times, when sick or injured, we were told we were “faking it to get attention”, mocked and left untreated. Prior to being sent to SRA I saw a medical professional for severe anxiety and panic and was on a regular regimen of benzodiazapines to treat my condition. At SRA, I was “treated” by a psychiatrist that, against acceptable medical standards, removed my medication at once without tapering the dosage. This resulted in severe withdrawal symptoms and intense anxiety and panic. This is an incomplete list and I am happy to provide to additional information about my experience. Please feel free to contact me at my email address. Thank you for giving us a voice and working to protect other children.
