They psychologically torture even the most behaved kids. It causes lifelong damage. Many of the kids I went with are dead, in prison, or homeless. Kids who don't go to "troubled teen" programs usually do fine within a couple years of moving out. If your kid has immediately life threatening issues, then send them somewhere that has actual mental health professionals, transparency, and standards. Utah has so many "troubled teen" facilities because there is no oversight. The facilities restrict kids' phone, internet, and mail access so they can get away with unspeakable abuse. read more

My son recently graduated from his 14 months at Liahona. I highly recommend this treatment center. This place is exactly what our son needed. The level of care is excellent. We thought for sure we had lost our son forever to the wrong group of friends and drugs. With the knowledge and help of all the staff our son turned his life around. He was able to get back on track in school and take ownership of his choices. He even openly admitted at graduation that he would miss so much of the school. The staff always goes above and beyond. We are so happy to have our son back, Liahona will always be apart of our story. The staff and directors will forever be our tribe. Nothing but LOVE. Thankful + grateful, Kate Geyer read more

See all

Liahona Academy completely changed my son's life- and ours. When he went in, he was struggling in so many ways, and we were honestly at a breaking point. I really did not know what to do. I wanted the best for our son and went to many different facilities. Liahona was the last one i visited and after talking to Angel and the therapist, i knew Liahona is where he would find success and change. Angel told me "he would enter a boy and leave a man." From day one the staff treated him with respect, support, and patience. You can tell they genuinely want to help these boys. My son did a complete 180 while he was there. He is now back to the person that we love so much. The growth we have seen is incredible and I honestly believe that Liahona saved his life. If you are a parent searching for hope, I strongly recommend Liahona Academy. They gave us our son back and I will always be grateful for ALL the staff there. Our son still talks about the great relationships he built with the staff. There are too many to name to list but we will forever be thankful for Angel, Tyson, Taylor, Beverly, Leah, Kavehi, his teachers, and everyone there. -A Forever Grateful Parent read more

Frankly, I'm surprised at this place is still open. The amount of damage that it did to both my son and my family is beyond my comprehension, hitting kids and forcing them to perform hard labor in the heat is not rehabilitation. read more

I graduated Liahona Academy 5 years ago, worst 14 months of my life. Abusive towards kids, deceptive towards parents. L experience.

See prior review. Liahona has staff and family submit reviews to boost their review scores. Avoid this place if you love your child. read more

I accidentally posted under a friends sign in and want to be sure my review can be verified. I just sent this email to the Utah Attorney General: I would like to make a formal complaint against Liahona Academy in Hurricane, Utah, and I would like to know if I can legally charge them with child abuse. Please let me know. My son attended Liahona from Dec 2019 to March 2021. They said he would be there ~9 months depending on his progress, but they didn't set a roadmap for him to make progress. They stuck Cooper "on the wall", where the kids aren't allowed to talk or ask questions as to why or what to do to get off of the wall. My son was stuck in solitude for 5+ months before he even got the therapy I sent him for. He spent every day, 7 days a week, sitting staring at a wall, all day and evening. Nothing to read, no-one to talk to. He was forced to sleep without a blanket or pillow with the lights on. He was forced to eat in his chair in solitude. This place is horrible! With Covid there was no way to know the truth as to what was happening there. They clearly did not tell us what was really happening and they instilled such a fear in my son that he was afraid to tell us anything once we were finally able to talk to him. Liahona read all incoming and outgoing mail. In one letter I sent him I said something about what he said on a family visit and he was put on suspension for it and reminded to not- and it was clearly so minor that I took him back after the visit and it still caused him to go back on the wall. Liahona puts a fear in the kids that they can't tell of the abuse and they put such confidence in the parent that they are helping your son that they are able to control the situation. Parents that send their son to Liahona are already programmed not to believe their son due to their behaviors at home before being sent there, so it is easy for Liahona to manipulate the situation. Liahona charged me $6,000/month to not only NOT help my son, but to make him worse. My son still has nightmares today. Any help or direction you can provide would be greatly appreciated. --------------- I hope they are able to help me either change or shut this place down. Liahona's approach may be appropriate for rapist and murderer's - not defiant or addicted teenagers. read more

Liahona was the 3rd treatment facility that my son went to. Fortunately, it was the last. My son Just recently graduated Navy boot camp and is on his way to starting his life as an adult thanks to the choices that he made and the guidance that he received while at Liahona. I read all of the 1 star reviews about Liahona before I took my son there. You might be thinking to yourself...why would you take your son to Liahona after reading about all of the terrible things that they do to the kids.....Well...I will tell you why: In all of the reviews that I read...I found a reoccurring theme...people were complaining that Liahona's punishments / consequences were cruel or that the staff was not qualified to handle their child's needs. I thought to myself.... if the punishments / consequences are cruel....at least my son would have an opportunity to follow the rules and not get in trouble. As far as the staff not being qualified.... I didn't put very much thought into that. If I knew what my son needed...I would have done it myself. That is what Liahona is about.... choices. You can choose to work the program or you can choose to not work the program. The choices that you make determine your comfort level not just at Liahona....but in life. My son was in programs in CA as well as Utah. Liahona was the only one that worked for him. read more

My name is Joel Francis. I'll be straight up with my review. Liahona Academy is just a huge lie. I was a student there from October 1st 2018 to April 17 2022, the longest time anyone has spent there up to date. So I have experienced Liahona as it has changed over the years. I'll say a few things on Liahona. First, Liahona is NOT A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT. The staff, at least when I was there, looked for every excuse to restrain you and then fuck the shit out of you, even sending a few students to the hospital. They would instigate fights between student and staff. One such staff member, Taylor Berry who still works there, would get in students face and actively yell at them to fight him. They'd tell him to fuck off and next thing you know said student is on the ground. One of my first experiences at Liahona was with ex-program director Richard May. My first week there he took me into the office and told the staff to turn off the cameras and then preceded to shove my ass against the wall and tell me that I better not mess around or he would fuck me up. Second, Liahona is highly influenced by the teaching s of the Mormon Church. This creates a high level of anti-homosexuality cause students to be forced be something they are not. Third, they DO NOT CARE ABKUT YOUR FUTURE. I was there for three and a half years. I should have been gone in a year. I did everything they asked of me but they never even seemed to recognize any of it. So naturally I'd be upset and complain and then be punished for speaking out. Liahona's plan was to keep me there until I was 18 and then kick me to the streets. The only way out was for me to join the military. And Liahona did everything in their power to stop that. They denied me the ability to speak to recruiters. They claimed I was mentally unstable and unable to make appropriate choices. The head of therapy Brian Parker even write a letter to my recruiter to try to get him to bat my enlistment because I had gotten into a fight with another student. They don't give a shit about your future. They'll ignore you and not care for any of your needs unless it benefits them only. Finally, the Owner will of Liahona Academy Clay Ah Quin Jr, is one of the shittiest owners ever. He was never at work. Upon leaving Liahona I followed him on Social Medial and noticed that durring work hours he was always at sporting events or promotional events for his own personal gain that had nothing to do with Liahona in the slightest bit. One day he brought one of his younger sons to watch us as we were worked in the hot sun for hours just to let him son laugh at us and shit. Not cool. Liahona claims to teach you about how life works. Not in the slightest. Life is 100% different than what they say it is. I vape and drink and smoke and I am honestly the happiest I've ever been. I know students who make thousands of dollars a month selling weed. Liahona may have been chill 2016 and before but after that things turned to shit. But many students are just blind to what Liahona does to them. In simple terms, Liahona brainwashes them. The simple fact is, Liahona DOESN'T have the highest success rate in the country. In fact they have one of the lowest ever. What they do have is one of the highest graduation rates in the country and that is due to the simple fact that they force every student to graduate or they are homeless. Want to save your son? Don't send him to Liahona. It's a corporation built on lies and they make their profit off of misguided children who they have no interest in fixing. Sounds pretty messed up to me‍. Do yourself a favor and take it from the guy who's been there longer than even most staff: Liahona is not worth the time or money. read more

I was a student at Liahona Academy from June 2022 to August 2023. I was at the lowest point in my life. This place changed my life, and now I am happy with who I am and what I am accomplishing. It is not an overnight process, nor is it all that easy all the time, but no one wants to change if they are comfortable with where they are and what they are doing. Diamonds are formed under pressure. It pushes you to grow and become you're best self. I felt like I had a place where I was welcomed and belonged for the first time in years. I now work there, and I love my job, I care about the kids and hope they can change like I did. read more

I really love the app it really helps you finding and taking the test you need to succeed at liahona academy

PLEASE don't ever send your kid to this place if they are adopted or have adoption issues. My kid got so much worse after being in this type of harsh, critical environment. They did not help him a bit. I think what they are calling "the wall" in previous posts is now called "the commons." They basically just sit in a chair day after day with no schooling or being able to do therapy as a punishment. Therapy is a privilege if you are in the commons. His therapist slapped a RAD diagnosis on my son after only knowing him a very short time! I feel even though my son has pretty bad behaviors, they usually come out of fear. So when he got there he was restrained 3 times. It is not a place to grow your relationship with your kid because they keep parents out of the loop. You can't see your kid in first phase and your kid can't call or talk to you. It needs to be a least 6 months or over in first phase before you are allowed to visit and it's for one day for a few hours even if you have to drive 6 hours away or fly in. My son wasn't even close to getting out of first phase after 6 months because of the 400 rules you have to follow in 1st phase. It's a way of keeping your kid there longer. I didn't trust this place because of all the things I heard about this Parker guy that runs the place. I didn't learn these things until after my son was already there. He calls himself the "Alpha male." And he just talks down to the kids all day long and gets in their faces and yells at them. He talks politics and tries to turn your kid into a devout Trump supporter and that is the only way you can think there. Then they tell you your kid needs to be there for 3 or 4 years to change cause they want the money.They have a rule where you have to eat everything on your plate but 1 tablespoon whether you are hungry or not and if you don't, you get an essay for waisting food. My kid gained 30 pounds there. He sat in the commons for 21 days once literally doing nothing. You get essays for practically every rule you break from chewing with your mouth open, looking at the office window or superior, for anything and everything if you break one of their 600 rules in first phase. Then, when they found out we were pulling our son for a better program, they called us the next day and said we had 48 hours to pick him up or they would courier him home at our expense, because he was upsetting the house by saying he was leaving. They purposefully tried to cause a hardship for our family. Both my husband and I had to take a week off of work to go pick him up and find a new place for him. The worst part is their awful communication with you. Therapists don't answer emails, and are never available to talk unless it's your therapy session with your kid. Then when you make a beef about it you're called co-dependent! These people are snakes. This is the end of the road program after exhausting all your resources. Definitely NOT a place for adoption issues!l read more

This is a phenomenal program for troubled teenagers. I attended the program from March 2021-June 2022. I have been out of the program for 1 year and a half and have now been clean and sober for over 2 and a half years. I spent 14 months combined in other adolescent treatment centers before I got transported to Liahona. I relapsed every time after the other treatment centers because they were enabling, scared to confront me, and did prioritize getting to the root of the issues which cause you to behave negatively. I did not know that the reason that I was acting out and could not stop using drugs and breaking the law. Getting to Liahona forced me to figure out why I was acting out and that there was relief in the therapy by doing it honestly and working hard. In the negative reviews, people forget to mention that all of these times staff have to restrain kids, it is because the student either attacks or tries to attack another student or staff or is trying to run away to use drugs which would end up hurting themselves. This was the most difficult experiences I have ever been through but it was worth it everyday. It was humbling and something I needed more than anything. The only problem for parents is that your son has to be willing to do the program. Nobody can make him be willing. That is his choice. But you might as well set up the best conditions for him to make the best decision possible. I could never be grateful enough for this facility. Thank God my Mom and Dad sent me here! James read more

My name is Lucas Sydlewski, I am 19 years old and I am currently at the United States Military Academy also known as West Point. Despite the honor and accomplishment, I rank this 2nd out of all my achievements. My first is attending and graduating from Liahona Academy. I would not be where I am now without my Liahona experience. As a child I despised structure and being told what to do and was constantly being disrespectful to my mother. I wanted to be in control of everything and everyone and I blamed everyone else for all the problems in my life. I had attended a program in Arizona prior to Liahona Academy, but I faked my way through it. Shortly after coming home from the program in Arizona, it was apparent that nothing had really changed or improved. My mom did extensive research to find what she believed would be the best program for me. When I first arrived, I planned to try to fake my way through it like I did in Arizona. I soon found out that faking it was not an option at Liahona. My actions were immediately shut down when I decided to refuse the first therapy assignment. During my rough start, I witnessed a Liahona graduation. I remember a feeling of awe when I saw him cry in front of all of the boys and staff and thank everyone for not only helping him, but saving his life. It flipped a switch within me and I thought maybe I should give this program a chance. I eventually worked my way to success and learned that my experience is only what I make of it. This lesson is one of the most important lessons I have learned so far in life and led to a quote I apply every single day: Don't count the time, make the time count. As I worked through the issues I had, I got to know my fellow brothers and the staff. Two of the most important people I met were the program director Parker and my therapist Brian. Brian was the first person in my life to call me out on my actions and not fall for my manipulation. At that time, I believed that Brian was the one to blame for every misfortune I faced at Liahona. I later learned a valuable lesson: no one did it to me, I did it to myself. He was just enforcing the rules that I thought didn't apply to me. Throughout my program, he mentored me on how to work on my issues and apply the tools I learned everyday. Parker, to this day, is one of few people that I have met that truly inspired me to be my best version of myself...all the time. I remember hearing him talk about the military and encouraging us to consider it as a way to serve with honor. It was at that time that my interest in serving my country started to grow. I graduated from Liahona on the 20th of December 2018. That day is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. I had my last therapy session with Brian, I attended my last group with Parker, my peers gave thoughtful speeches at my graduation, and my mom sat in the front row with happy, proud tears running down her cheeks. It was at this time that it really started to hit me the impact that Liahona had on my life. After 18 months, it all happened like rapid fire; I led my brothers through our Hakka, our Pledge, said goodbye and then left. After going home, I quickly got caught up in the freedoms that come with life and lost track of what I had learned. I stopped applying the tools and it got to a point where Brian stopped the weekly transition calls because I was not doing any work. Before long, I hit rock bottom. I eventually realized I needed and wanted to revert back to the person I was at Liahona. I started working out again and writing journals. I worked on my relationship with my mother to repair the damage. I re-read my journals, quotes and letters. It was here that I was reminded of my desire to join the military. I attended Extreme Military Challenge which is hailed as the most realistic military experience one can get from a camp where I applied my grit and the no quit attitude that I learned from Liahona. I enjoyed the lifestyle and enrolled at a military school which would give me even more insight into military life. I learned about the service academies and the wheels started to turn. At first I planned on enlisting, but the morals and mindset I adopted from Liahona pushed me to go big and not just settle. Long story short, I am currently writing this at my desk in West Point. Even though I was born 19 years ago, my life started that day in September when I first stepped through those Liahona doors. Everything that I have become since then I can confidently credit Liahona for. Liahona helped me find true happiness and mentored me into becoming the man I am today. There are many people who graduated who claim they were mistreated and it didn't work for them. What Liahona teaches will work if you work it. You will get good if you do good. I have witnessed the success first hand as have many of my brothers that have graduated. I am extremely grateful to Liahona and the staff. I will forever be in debt. read more

Great communication, my son is doing really well here. Brand new kid. Fairly in expensive. Staff work really well with our family.

I went to Liahona back in January of 2017 and graduated that same year in December. Overall, I can tell you that my experience at Liahona Academy has been nothing but wonderful. To give you some background, I was running around doing drugs, disrespecting my parents, and most probably doing the things that your son may be engaged in right now. It may also be important to know that I am a Pakistani Muslim. Liahona gave me my second chance, I tried numerous therapists and medication, but nothing was working for me. Then my parents made the toughest decision of their life in sending me to Liahona. Parker (program director), Clay (owner) , and Brian (clinical director/lead therapist) really do care for the boys. Yes, they do discipline us, but they have never put a hand on me or emotionally abused me. Unfortunately, the bad reviews come from students and/or parents that may resent Liahona for not having "success" in their own lives. I hope those people get back on the right track, whether they like it or not, they are still part of the Liahona family. I mentioned that I am a Pakistani Muslim, because I think some parents may be concerned in sending their minority child to a predominantly white and Mormon area. I just want to make this clear as possible. In no way, shape, or form does Liahona try to push Mormonism on the student nor any other religion. The philosophy in their approach to spirituality is that when you work on yourself mentally (e.g. school), emotionally (e.g. therapy), and physically (e.g. working out) then the improvement in your spirituality comes naturally. I like to consider myself a religious Muslim. I pray five times a day, I observe the month of Ramadan, I don't drink alcohol, I don't eat pork, and I read the Qur'an once a week. Liahona made me a more religious Muslim than any other Sheikh, religious leader, or Muslim friend that I had met before Liahona. As a Pakistani and a person with brown skin in a predominantly white population, I have never felt more at home and more comfortable being a Pakistani-American than ever when I was at Liahona. I still refer to all the white, black, and Asian students as my brothers, and they always will be. A high dedication in working towards changing yourself for the better is the only requirement for feeling included in the family. After graduating from Liahona, I have attained my associate degree, and am currently attending University of Minnesota. I plan to earn my bachelors this spring, and am currently applying to graduate school (keep me in your prayers! haha). I also recently recieved an award where I got to speak to the graduating class at my community college. I talk about Liahona and my experience there as well, and I encourage you to check it out. Copy and paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4GH86juKZA&t=6s At the end of the day, this decision is not an easy one and I understand that. Think it through, do your research, and in the end make the best decision for your child, and let God and your prayers do the rest. If you still feel uneasy about your decision, if money allows it, I encourage you to visit the facility in person. I think that will clear up most doubt and fear you may have. In the end, you most likely will not feel 100% great about your decision, since it is a painful and heartbreaking one. If this was an easy decision, most parents would be making it. Just remember that some of this fear you feel is normal and healthy, and I wish the best for your child and whoever is reading this. read more

Liahona Treatment Center - Me (tallest one) with Parker (maroon shirt) visiting after 6 months since I had graduated. - Counseling & Mental Health Near Me - Hurricane, Utah

See all

I graduated Liahona on June 22 2023. Before Liahona I was lost. I was constantly consuming myself with society and was so desperate for recognition to the point where it lead me down a road of abusing substances. I burnt so many bridges with my family,friends, and pushed away God from my life. I was uncontrollable and was lost. On April 19, 2022 I arrived at Liahona where I was introduced to Parker Haslam. I've never met a man more smart and intelligent than this man. He is someone anyone can look up to and lives a great, structured,disciplined life. I then met my therapist Quinn. Later in my program I was switched to Brian Parker. Brian never did what was popular and instead what was right. He never enabled me and never fell for my manipulation. I got to grow on Brian, and he trained me for 11 months of my life. I have never gotten closer to an adult besides my parents than Brian. Brian has saved my life and truly made me who I am. Liahona has given me tools that I will use for the rest of my life. They have taught me morals and values that I will forever live by. During my time at Liahona I only ever wanted to leave the place. Now after being out for a good amount of time, I only want to go back not as a student but to visit. I've made many relationships with students and staff. The staff are caring and will discipline you. Some Students attempt to manipulate their good nature and Parker( the program director) will shut that down right away. I've never seen a fight there nor has anyone ever gotten close. It's a very safe environment and staff are always on alert. It's a very accountable system and nothing slides. I can't be more thankful for what this place has done for me and the memories I have had at Liahona. Thank you Brian, Parker, Students, Staff, and Clay. read more

My son attended Liahona from Dec 2019 to March 2021. They say your son will be there ~9 months depending on their progress. BUT they don't help the kids figure anything out. They don't give the therapy when they are "on the wall", the kids aren't allowed to talk or ask questions as to why or what to do to get off the wall. My son was stuck in solitude for 5+ months before he even got therapy. He spent every day, 7 days a week, sitting staring at a wall. Nothing to read, no-one to talk to. He was forced to sleep without a blanket with the lights on. He was force to eat in his chair in solitude. This place is horrible! It will make your son MORE defiant and full of hate than he goes in with... I am so sad today, Dec 2022, that I ever sent my kid there. With Covid as the perfect cover and the lies as to what was happening there and the FEAR they instilled in my son if he said anything added up to the perfect storm. Liahona charged me $6,000/month to not only not help my son, but to make him worse. Feel free to reach out if you have questions and BEWARE of any positive feedback - there are better ways to get your son sober. read more

Parents I was a student at Liahona and I'm saying pedophiles are not something I saw while I was there I do think alot of the stuff helps with knowing how to control your self but recently a lot of the rules have changed and your child will be there for much longer then 9 months I believe it can help in a lot of aspects for instance I was 260 pounds and I got down to 160 and now I'm physically active I'm also a lot better at controlling my anger and not blowing up when something bad happens in my life I believe it can help but not for long periods of time honestly it made me more upset by being there with my depression and didt help with that or anxiety but do your research before you send them here but it is a option all my love goes you to the struggling students-Logan Gustafson read more

OVERVIEW This is a physically and emotionally abusive facility Do not send your children here. This place had to have been founded by someone who was raised horribly. They emotionally, physically, and mentally abuse the kids and treat them like animals. If a kid stood up and walked to the bathroom he'd be restrained. There are 300+ rules they have to follow. Stupid petty rules. If you break one, typically you get a 300 word essay. But staff enjoy punishing kids and will often make PUNISHMENTS worse. ABUSE EXAMPLES -Brian Parker, the "therapist" told a student to tell a group of 25 strangers everything he's ever done "wrong". When Brian didn't believe him he assigned him a 4,000 word essay. It got to 16,000 before Brian was satisfied. -"Process Group" is essentially bullying and humiliating individual boys. I struggled with self-harm. One time Parker Haslam said "Oh and Jairin is a cutter. Everybody feel bad for Jairin. He wants attention." The whole group laughed. Not just staff but boys too! They turn your kids into bullies too -I tried to write a letter to my parents about how abusive the place was. The letter came out in "Process Group" and Parker read the entire letter. I said nothing but the truth. Parker accused me of lying, gave me a 600 word essay, and I had to sit on a chair and stare at a wall for 7 days eating oatmeal and apples and bread and cheese. They call this "Work Crew". they, the staff and boys, frequently tease and humiliate boys who are on "Work Crew" -While I was staring at the wall, I picked at one of my hangnails. A staff member named Derek grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me into the office. He pushed me into a filing cabinet quite hard while shouting and cussing at me about how picking a hang nail is the same thing as self harm. -One kid wouldn't comply. They made him run circles around the track with shoes that didn't have laces indefinitely while we were on the basketball court FOR GROUP. In 3 months I got to play basketball once. The kid ran probably 20 laps before he tried to run. Parker then forced us to sit in a circle for hours and do nothing, blaming the vibe of the facility for the kid trying to run. They restrained him and made an example out of him in front of us. -there's no sense of comradely. If a kid sees you break a rule, he will go and tell a staff member immediately even if it was an accident. The kids are trapped and have no control. They take control by ratting out other kids and watching them get punished. Sometimes they rat kids out for things they didn't do. One time a kid told a staff member I was using a pen to hurt myself (A LIE) and I stared at the wall for three days. I was forced to choose between writing an essay and losing points for the day (points are supposedly what gets you out) or drinking sour milk. I watched 20 boys drink a gallon of sour milk. I could go on but I think you get the picture. This place needs to be shut down. Do not send your children here. read more

I was sent here when I was fourteen years old. I am now an adult. With this being said I have obtained a financially satisfactory job. I honestly just matured and realized on my own when I was going through development there that my lifestyle of drugs and doing irresponsible shenanigans was not getting me anywhere. So I grew up and just simply went through the B.S. "therapy" they have you do. I am writing this not out of spite nor anger, just pure honesty and would like to shine some light as to what really happens here in this "treatment center" which is supposed to help young troubled teens however is essentially a money pooling abuse center for beefed up Polynesian, and college frat students. In which they would give us essays and preach how bad it is to drink and vape and how bad of kids we were. After getting out and looking at their social media I see alcohol, vapes, nightclubs, even blunts, and what looks like classic college kid lifestyle. Now mind you none of these employees have any sort of degree or actual experience in dealing with these kids mentally or emotionally or have any sort of degree or certification. The only class they take is a restraining one. In which it seems to teach choke holds, pressure point, arm twisting, throwing, punching, etc. I witnessed the previous director Richard May pull kids as young as 13-14 out of their chairs on suspension and full on throw them to the ground and restrain them or bring them into the office with multiple staff and scream at them and yell at them. I would head "how do you like that huh?" As if he was getting aroused by hurting these kids. Now keep in mind most of these kids were 12-18. Now the majority of them I would say were 13-16. A lot of the kids were small, some were very big and I could see how they could be posed a threat and need restrained. However I do not know if it is necessary to restrain a kid with 3, 180+lb men. Then asking "do you like that" while having a knee on his back or neck of a child and the child's face being in the floor. I have seen kids come back in with rug burn all over their face from the staff pushing their face into the carpet, or bruises from staff hitting them from them refusing to comply. After this instead of helping the kids or talking or really helping them; they put them on "Suspension" originally called "Work Crew" in which after you get restrained they make you sit in a chair and stare at a wall from 6am to 8:30pm when you get to go to bed. You sit and stare at the wall. They take your socks from you so that your not considered a "run risk" in which in reality they just put you under a cold vent somewhere under the wall or in the "addition" which is a very cold depressing part of the facility all the way in the back in which they blast the A/C to about 60 the whole time. In shorts and a t shirt sitting in a chair with no socks on in a cold dark room with the blinds closed not allowed to look out the window, and then having to write essays not to mention. That's right you had to write essays for every "rule" you broke. For example for farting if you went up to him and said "I flatuatuted" and it wasn't loud or anything and he could tell it wasn't intentional, he would be like okay thanks I appreciate you telling me don't do it again. But if you farted out loud or was making it a joke he would give you a ever bigger essay. But some staff you would just try to be honest and hold yourself accountable even if it was quiet and a genuine mistake and they would give you a essay just to be a dick. Also I can't tell you the miles they make you run. Or the workouts they make you do. I would get blisters on the bottom of my feet, and one time all the skin came off and it got infected and I had to go and get it cleaned on my visit and taken care of and wait till then because they wouldn't take care of it. And even my dad was like what the hell that's messed up. Another kid had a ingrown toenail and they waited so long to take care of it to the point where he had to get surgery because his toe got infected. Not to mention kaden in which the staff Antonio cracked his head open by putting him in a choke hold and then throwing him into a table. I was there that day I fully remember it. I was on suspension as well sitting in my chair. Well they put him under a vent and he was cold and tired. He put his chest to his knees bent over in his chair for warmth closed his eyes trying to sleep not bothering anyone. Instead of just leaving the kid alone as he was already on suspension on "do nothing program" and "high risk watch" in which they take his socks and everything from him but shorts and a t shirt and he stares a wall the whole day. In which him sleeping poses no threat. Well a staff started yelling "kaden sit up" "Kaden sit up" "Kaden sit the fuck up I said sit the fuck up" staff comes over slaps the back of his chair. The kid. read more

Holy smokes! These bad reviews are ridiculous! This place saves lives!!! I'm talking, I was sooooo far down the drug abuse hole. This place did more than save my life. ANY PARENT who sends there kid here are WILL NOT ONLY GET GREAT RELIEF BUT ALSO A YOUNG MAN COMING BACK HOME! Holy smokes. I was abusing psychadelics, and was doing about as bad you could do. Pshh. I graduated that program and not only do I now know how to manage life, but I'm as happy as I've ever been, have everything I want and need, and am everything more than my parents could have ever expected for me to be. See this review and please only this and base your decision off of this post alone on whether or not to send your kid here. This place. Is a miracle. It's a hard decision yes. But it's the right decision. Every kid that goes in there and family apart of that kids experience becomes better, goes to sleep better, and lives happier than before, no matter how much happier, happier period. This place saved my life. I went through it all. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but let me tell you what. Doing hard things leads to growth and improvement. Send your kid here. Get the family and the peace you've always wanted. Liahona will get you not only exactly what your looking for, but more than you could have ever expected. -Nico T read more

Dont send your kids here. I was there from feb2008-mar2009. Didnt save me didnt help with anything. Save your money and take a class on how not to be a neglectful parent. 90% of the people that left after a year or more here ended up on hard drugs when they got sent there for smoking pot. Sending your son here only means you are lazy and irresponsible as a parent. read more

This organization is by far the most effective therapeutic facility. The value you get for the services they provide is well worth it. My entire family has benefited from thr therapeutic Counseling My Son and I received. Those that have negative reviews were definitely not ready to open their minds to positive change and embrace their own accountability of their thoughts and actions. read more

Our son graduated from Liahona about 9 years ago, and we're proud to say he just graduated from Navy Boot Camp and is currently going through Navy Dive School (one of the most physically and mentally challenging schools in the Navy). To this day, he holds Parker Haslam in high regard, and he credits Parker and his team for setting him straight in life. At 27 years old, he still updates Parker on his professional achievements. There was definitely some tough love while at Liahona, but for us, we needed some serious intervention. He did have occasional relapses and struggles after Liahona (as we were told to expect) but he was able to fight through and eventually end up on top. Liahona is designed to be challenging and apply consequences to bad behaviors....it is a program for addiction and/or destructive juvenile behavior and should obviously be a last resort. It may not work for every kid, so parents - do your research, consider your child's personality, and don't be surprised by the discipline. That's the whole point. It's true, they limit communications with parents in the first few months, but there is good reason for that. More often than not, parents are the worst enablers and kids guilt-trip their parents (i.e. manipulate and lie). Parents must be fully onboard with the staff, or the program WILL NOT work. Of note, Parents must continue applying these high expectations and consequences even after Liahona. From day 1, we were assigned a "parent liaison" and also spoke regularly with his therapist. After 10 months, my son voluntarily elected to stay after his 18th birthday. We were particularly impressed with his public speaking skills, reading (they read a lot), confidence level, and understanding of "thinking errors". With this type of program, you can't guarantee a successful outcome, or in my son's case, it might take a few years to manifest. But from our personal experience, it was a Godsend and we will always appreciate Parker and the Liahona staff. My son would agree. read more

I was a student at Liahona Academy for 17 months. This place changed my life and without it I know that for a fact I would be dead or in jail. That sounds so cliche but it is the truth. The staff cares and wants what is best for you. Everyone in that building wants to see you change for the better and become two things: Great dads and the best version of you that could possibly exist. I don't understand why people would send their son anywhere else since this is one of the few real treatment centers. Liahona isn't a boys home, it is a treatment center. It is a 9-12 month program and has a great success rate. My program took so long because I fought change for a long time. I was so stuck in my ways and didn't want to change, but the amazing thing was that nobody there ever gave up on me. At this point in my life I do regret all the time I wasted there, but I know that without the time that I spent there I definitely would not be where I am today. The owner Clay is a great man and is as dedicated to seeing his boys change as any of the staff. He stops in daily and always has something inspiring to say to the boys there. Parker is the director and the one that meets the parents and their son and is ultimately the hardest working man that I have ever met. He puts so much of his time into his boys lives and I know that is a fact because I'm not in Liahona right now and I still email Parker whenever I need someone to talk to or just to catch up. I find myself wishing that I could go back to an environment where everyone wants the best for you and a place that is so healthy compared to the world we live in today. Liahona will give your son the tools he needs to succeed in this crazy world that we live in today. I promise you that sending your son here is a choice that you will be so proud you made down the road. You get to maintain contact with your son via letters, and for me my relationship with my parents is so much stronger than I ever would have imagined it would be. Trust me when I say that sending your son there is the best choice that you could make for you and for him. read more

I went to Liahona from January 08 to March 09, and it is an absolutely dreadful place, a wolf masked in sheep's clothing. It is a horrible facility that lies to parents so Clay , the owner, can get as many kids in there to fill up his pockets. They lie to parents about the disciplinary actions. Some of the disciplinary actions that I am certain are not relayed to parents include; being sat in a chair forced to stare at a wall for 10 hours+ a day, not being given proper nutrition, being forced to do excessive cardio activity (including carrying large rocks and sprints) with seemingly no regard for possible health problems/risks, grown men (the staff) getting physical with the kids, etc. The kids letters are read and censored "if necessary." Any attempts to relay information of disciplinary actions by a student to his parents will result in the student's letter not being sent. When the kids first arrive they are tricked into thinking they are going to a zoo and then are forced to act like animals in front of their peers. One time they made an obese child act like a walrus. If the student refuses he will end up with punishments mentioned above. The facility lies to the parents telling them the students go on a weekly activity out into the surrounding area. That is not true. In order to go out on the weekly activity the students have to earn it by displaying exemplary behavior, and I mean exemplary. Simply forgetting to push in their chair or to turn off the lights twice would result in a student missing the activity. They also mention on their website the statement that the students enjoy "daily recreational activity", unless they consider forcing the kids to run miles on end, and punishing them even more severely for refusing to do so, recreational activity then that is also a lie. Recreational activity mostly only occurs on Saturday and Sunday, and like the weekly activity students must display exemplary behavior in order to be eligible. Repeatedly the kids at the facility are used for free manual labor, and the staff have the audacity to tell the kids to be grateful for the opportunity to do so. Free manual labor I personally performed while there includes; helping staff members move multiple times (as well as family/friends of the owner) , cleaning up a back yard of a staff members house, landscaping work at a staff members house, and landscaping work at the facility. The program is set up in a brainwashing manner that turns the students into obedient mindless drones by removing their identity and operating the facility in an authoritative like fashion. The rules are very strict and the punishments are very harsh. For example, writing a 300 word essays and miles of extra running being dished out to the students for things as small as forgetting to push in their chairs or tuck in their shirts. They force the kids to memorize meaningless quotes that are pages long every single week. Punishments for refusing, or failing, to do so are quite severe. The student would miss the weekly recreational activity, and weekend recreations. If a student never does the quote then essentially his stay at the facility is doubled, because advancement in the program would take twice as long. To top it all off, the ineffectiveness. Behavior of kids returning home usually will recede to to how it was before in a matter of weeks. You hear about it all the time at the facility, kid's parents calling and complaining of returned negative behaviors. Some parents still have not figured out the scam and actually send their kids back. I guess Clay is a good salesman. So yeah, bottom line do not send your kids here! read more

I would highly recommend sending your child here, if they are struggling with defiance, depression, anxiety, drug-alcohol Addiction, or pornography addiction. I was sent to Liahona on December 3rd, 2019, and Graduated on July 21st, 2021. I cannot thank Liahona enough for the changes that they have helped me make in my life. Before Liahona I was in, and out of drug rehabs, failing out of school and dealing with the Legal system for MIP's, Disorderly Conduct, and Assult. I was doing horrible in school with an intense alcohol, marijuana, Psychedelic, and cocaine addiction. Clearly I what I was doing was not working. My sophomore I was behind and not going to school, and that was when I got a big wake up call when I was in the transporters car being told that I was going to Utah. When I first got there, I though that I could be the tough guy and get out of this treatment center. I quickly came to learn that unlike many other treatment centers, this one does not kick you out. Acting out fighting, and being defiant only kicks you in longer until you can learn to work on those inner issues in a healthy way. Then I though that I could fake the program to get through it. Like many other programs, this also does not work. These are highly trained therapists that will catch on to you very quick. Your son is going to learn the therapy here that is going to help him excel in his life post liahona if he chooses to do so. As you will hear in many reviews above, or below, people are going to tell you about their experience at liahona, and how it was so bad. These kids are so damn prideful. They went out and messed up by choosing to stop doing the therapy, and as a result fucked up. It really all boils down to a choice if you are going to do good or not. The thing about liahona is that they teach you tools on how to solve your inner core issues. This is the only kind of therapy that will actually work for the long term. With many other treatment centers, they only try to teach you to cope with the problem with something such as drugs. They will tell you to "go to an AA program". The reason why this does not work, is because the drugs are not the problem. There is some sort of belief or something that you are feeling sad about in your life that causes you do drugs. Liahona therapy program is designed to help you solve those inner issues, and as a result, you do not act out in those dysfunctional behaviors. I had horrible memory loss from drugs, and liahona fixed it. They have something called "the quote" every week where you have to memorize a couple of paragraphs and then recite them. This rebuilds neurological pathways in the brain that we're damaged from drug use. It also makes you a lot smarter. The academic program is amazing here. You get to work at your own pace. There were some freshman here that we're taking senior classes and getting ready to graduate from high school because they chose that they wanted to get ahead. Post Liahona, it was been 5 months, and I am still killing it at life, because I choose to do therapy and work on my inner issues. I have amazing relationships with my parents that I have rebuilt, and I am doing amazing in school. I would highly recommend you to send your kid here. If you have any more questions please call, text, or email. Bradleygianella@gmail.com 503-707-1802 read more

My parents sent me to Liahona Academy when i was 14 years old. I had extreme behavioral issues and struggled with my self esteem. As a student I quickly learned that there was no faking progress there. You are there for one reason only, to fix your issues and get better. The staff and therapists will assure that you accomplish just that. I was a student from 12/4/14 to 1/28/16. After graduating the program I had my struggles as everyone will, but thanks to liahona, i knew how to deal with them. It has been 4 and a half years since i graduated and i dont know where i would be without Liahona. I now lead a healthy honest life. read more

Liahona saved my brothers life and gave my family hope that we would see my brother happy, healthy and sober. My brother attended for a full year back in 2009. He hit a rough patch and acted out using excuses for his actions. He was abusing drugs and getting in trouble with law enforcement and not doing well in school. Luckily we found Liahona and got my brother enrolled. On his home visits I instantly saw glimpses of my brother that I missed during his times of trouble. Clay and all of the staff there was very helpful and nice to my family and I. Once my brother graduated it was like he was a whole new person. respectful, more mature, healthy and most importantly sober. Liahona shaped him into the man he is today. 7 years ago I wouldn't believe you if you told me he would be married to his high school sweetheart working a full time job and expecting his first baby at this point of his life. We have Clay and all of his staff at Liahona to thank for that, for giving my brother the life that he has and his future. I would recommend this program to anyone wanting to get help or help one of their loved ones. I couldn't thank Liahona enough for saving my brother. read more

We sent our son to Liahona expecting to be as advertised a treatment center but it turned out to be a scam. They literally torture the kids by making them stare at a wall for hours. They hardly feed them any food and let them sleep in the cold with no pillows and no blankets. Three years have passed since we took him out and he's still traumatized. It's a scam. Don't send your kids there. Don't make the same mistake. read more

I was sent to Liahona 2 years ago and I couldn't be more grateful because my life has been changed for the better I admit I was out of control and had the worst mindset that was influenced by what has been going on and my mother couldn't handle me so she sent me to Liahona and I became a man Whoever thinks this place is torture feel free to contact me Because all Liahona is trying to do is turn young boys that need help into men That are productive, respectful, and honest. Our world is corrupted by peoples opinions but the facts show that Liahona saves boys! read more

This program is extremely effective for students in need of behavior modifications. Their process is spot on and uses in-depth therapeutic methods that generate authentic change in the students. The negative reviews are most likely because the individuals did not seek inner reflection, were open about their own needs or trust the process. I understand if you are having reservations or do not feel ready to send your student. However, I will also tell you to not waste another minute contemplating. This place will dramatically change your life and the life for your child in a positive way. read more

Wouldn't have my diploma without liahona but it was hard. Wasn't fun by any means. They were a little rough though with restraints fucking annoying. But that's why we are their cause we were bad kids so I mean I guess you gotta do what you gotta do when dealing with those situations. Get to read a lot of books mostly war books and idk fiction sometimes but I'd have to say the war books were better. Got movies every Sunday if you don't have 3 essays. I'd say if your kids a little shit and fights and stuff he'll be fine. But if your kids depressed I'd suggest finding help from doctors and stuff cause I was a very depressed kid and my mind running constantly which led to bad grades. And that's really the reason my mom sent me and weed (I did go to this really sweet place though before this but I acted out their cause again I didn't get the right help and was depressed and still having to do school, now away from home. I was mad at my mom that's why I acted out at this place because it was implemented into my day.) read more

I went to Liahona Academy back in 2008 and graduated In 2009. In the beginning I hated it but over the course of my 14 months there I learned the basics of what it is to be a responsible person. When I first came to Liahona I was struggling with drugs and many other issues that would have destroyed me, I could easily be doing life in prison if not for the help of this place. People saying this is the worst place and time of there life clearly have nothing else to measure Liahona up against, it is definitely not in my opinion the worst time of my life. I met some of the best people there, take it from me this is a safe place if you want to help your child get on the right track they know what their doing and they really care. read more

I was a student at Liahona Academy for 14 months and it really saved my life. I was headed down a rough road and didn't think I had a chance at changing or turning my life around. After some time at Liahona I started to realize that change was possible if I was willing put in the work and effort required to change. I got to work and really noticed my whole life changing. I was becoming happier and happier and starting to enjoy my life. Now I'm graduated and I'm pretty happy and functional. All of these bad reviews are actually really comical to people who have actually been to Liahona and used it for it's intended purpose; to change. It's always the kids who refused to do the program or people who get out, fail and blame Liahona for their problems that post bad reviews. I would highly recommend Liahona to anyone seeking help for their child, it really is a lifesaver and the people there are some of the nicest and most passionate people I've ever met. read more

First let me start this by saying yes you do sit on a wall if you break rules yes punishments are hard but that's because they are teaching us we can do hard things us as kids being sent there like to give up on ourselves and those hard things they have us doing teach us that we can achieve and even though we can't talk to each other those are some of the strongest bonds I've ever had CBO teaches us that we can shut out negative people and cut them out suspension shows where bad behavior will get you which is jail or worse the excruciating workouts teach us we can do hard things and if you tell yourself you can do something then you can this place saved my life I was kicked out of multiple treatment facilities but this is the one that made it click for me they don't silence you from telling your parents about punishment I threatened them with that and they encouraged me to do it and guaranteed that my mom would get it the program is as hard as your kid makes it but to wrap this up o definitely recommend this place because it works miracles read more

So I have read a few of the reviews and a lot of them are true. If you fuck up you get punished and if you were an asshole like me who thought he was a gangbanger, you learn pretty quick. Ya you have to stare at a wall for a few days if you show D.A.Q (deception, attitude, or quitting) and if you do it again the punishment is double. But what are you suppose to do if a kid is out of line. If your out of control you will get restrained. That is to protect the other kids, the staff, and most importantly yourself. If there is something wrong you can write a note to Parker and hope he reads it. For example on 11/11/2018 I wrote a note that one of the graveyard staff (I'm not going to put names) was taking pictures of me in my underwear while he thought I was asleep. And a few weeks later I noticed that he didn't come to work anymore. Most likely he was fired but that goes to show that when you send a note you get a response. The one thing that was really hard for me was not being able to communicate to the other kids that are there. It's really hard if your there for 14 months and a talker like me, but the reason is because kids can talk about who knows what. I understood these rules and after that I grew mentally, physically, and emotionally. I never graduated I got to level 4 and went on a 2 week home visit and decided to not come back. I messed up after that. but not coming back was the first biggest. I got my girlfriend pregnant and started using opioids. then I turned to fetynal and that destroyed me. then one day I read my therapy book and knew I still had that strength. so I got clean using all the tools Liahona provided me with. Detoxing from fetynal is the absolute worse pain there is. if I could describe it, all I could think of is pure hell. but I got clean and married my wife and then had my beautiful daughter. I have been clean for a year and haven't relapsed because of the tools I learned from liahona. There is no way I can thank all the staff enough for how they helped me. Thank you Dan,Parker,Taylor,Alex(Your Kind of an asshole though lol. Im never going to forget when your fat ass fell down that hill outside when it was snowing. I swear I felt the ground shake),colt(Dude colt your a cool dude you have to stop by my house and we will shoot some pretty bad ass guns I have in my Arsenal),Boby(Boby you were the best, I swear your going to be a great husband and a great father. I remember when you just recently got married and didn't want to use the restroom when your wife was home.lol) and everybody else that saved my life. couldn't have done it without you. The reason I tell everyone on yelp this is because I want to explain what these kids are talking about on the reviews. its not abuse, there just spoiled ass kids who never had anything not go there way. they have L.S.B.S syndrome (lazy spoiled brat syndrome). I want you parents to know that this isn't a boarding school. its a disciplinary school for bad kids. read more

Yeah stop sending kids here. My name is Anthony Ruleman. The program itself in theory isn't that bad but all the in betweens need checking. Essentially I was brainwashed. As a student, when you first walk through those doors the only thing on your mind is getting out. I was willing to do anything to get out. After all my choices ran out I saw the only way (perhaps the easiest way) to leave was to graduate. So I reported to my therapist what I thought he wanted to hear. Eventually I did make it out after 24 months and 7 days. I had to fake it to make it out and I can't speak for others but I can draw on experience and I'd say most the boys that come in do what I did. Fake it. For some it may take longer than others to realize graduation is key and that's why they stay longer but every story is similar. Had to fake it to make it to get out. You have to kiss the devils ass to get out of hell. read more

I was a student at Liahona for 2 weeks under a year. I can say with no doubt in my mind that it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was heading down a dark path that without doubt would have ended with me dead or in jail. This place saved my life. The staff are great people and they do genuinely care about every student there. While it is very strict, and there are a lot of rules, nothing is unjust or abusive in any way. I am so grateful to Liahona and I know that if i ever have a son that needed this kind of help I would send them with no hesitation, because I know they would be in the best hand. FOR ANY PARENT CONSIDERING LIAHONA ACADEMY FOR THEIR SON: I, and my parents and most other students are always open to answering any questions. I am always available to either talk on the phone or over email or text. (but rather than give my phone number I'll stick with just my email) For any parents with questions you can email me at kjshell9@gmail.com. I will respond as soon as I can. if you don't have questions and just feel like insulting me, so be it. The chance of offering some help to a parent in need far outweighs anything else I may receive. read more