Success » Parent Testimonials
Parent Testimonials
Parents of our clients frequently write to thank us for our work with their child and to share how their Catherine Freer experience has had a profound impact on their lives.
Please read below to hear from parents that have utilized our program as a solution for their troubled teen. If you would like to speak to a family of a graduate, please call us at (800) 390-3983 and we will be happy to provide you with phone numbers of parents who have agreed to be references.
Read one father's account."Connor is doing really well. He is a different person than he was before he went to Catherine Freer. He runs 4-6 miles every day, is passing all his classes in school and has passed all the UA' s he has taken. He is happy most of the time and has learned to manage his moods and his behavior...thanks and keep up the good work. It definitely changed our lives." Karen S. (Feb. 2008)
"Things could not be going any better. Matt will be graduating with a 3.75 GPA. He is going to community college and will start regular college in the fall. His head is in a really good place and Matt seems to be trending in the right direction. Our family dynamics are also trending in the right direction. We wanted to not only give you an update but also thank you for all your guidance. Even though we sometimes challenged you and weren't sure of your advice, you were right on on all of your evaluations and suggestions. Part of Matt's success is due to you. We know we still have a long way to go, but Matt is trending in the right direction and everyone from himself to us and the people at his new school are confident of his ability to be successful...The Freer team really made a difference. We just wanted to thank you for all the help and guidance you gave our family. It is important for you to know you made a positive impact on all our lives." Scott Z. (Jan. 2008)
"Please express from me a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Freer. You and they are awesome!! You all have made such a positive impact on Danny's and our lives." Evelyn G. (Dec. 2007)
"THANK YOU to Catherine Freer... we have our daughter back! I know it is the "honeymoon" period, but Kristina is a new girl and we are enjoying every second with her. I can't say thank you enough." Lorna B. (Dec. 2007)
"I was extremely impressed with the changes I saw in my child and the other children in just 21 days. I never expected to see the progress we did in such a short amount of time." (July 2007)
"My son is like a different person. Thanks." (July 2007)
"I would highly recommend C. Freer!" (July 2007)
"This experience was an incredible one for our daughter. Although we still have a lot of work, she is definitely in a different place…We are so impressed with how your program worked for Katrena. She continually talks about how she admires the staff who were out there with her." Tracy (April 2007)
"Since leaving the Catherine Freer program in May of '06, our son has made good solid progress….Ryan has matured and become accountable for his actions over time. He has set up goals for himself and has been very open about everything he has done in the past. Thanks for all your support and for getting Ryan through the first steps. Your staff has meant much to our family and I am grateful that we were able to find Catherine Freer to help me turn my son around." Greg G. (Feb. 2006)
"I wanted to let you know that your wilderness program that my daughter experienced while she was an angry and surly 16-year old has stayed in her heart and soul. She is now 20 and is in her third year of college….Although she had many more wild and crazy adventures following her expedition, something changed within her about two years later. I believe that the wilderness experience continues to have a profound effect on every decision that she makes…. She is a loving and passionate young adult, and is grateful that we tried so hard to help her. Thank you." Sue D. (September 2006)
"I have waited these past seven months to write about my son's experiences and results to give us time to see the outcome before jumping to conclusions soon after his return home in December. Jacob has done extremely well…I place two important reasons for this positive outcome, first and most importantly the impact of your program. Jacob resisted the group process but came to believe and work within the system because of what your counselors practice — therapy, respect, consistency, accountability, communication and follow-through. The second reason for his success is our follow-through. …Jacob is proud that he attended the Catherine Freer Program. Surprise to us but he has worn his t-shirt regularly since he returned home. He is not ashamed and he is proud of the snow camping and backpacking. He has pictures from the expedition framed and up in his room. I am proud of Jacob…Thank you for supporting us and being available at such a critical time in our lives." Michelle M. (August 2006)
"One year ago, our family was in ruins. My heart was breaking and I had no idea when or how I'd see our son again. One year later life for all of us has resumed with a future so bright. From the depths of our souls...Thank you so much." - Jeff H. (Aug. 2006)
"Jon is really doing well. He is going to AA seven days a week. He sees a therapist at least three times a week…I wish that you could see Jon now. He really came back a different person. THANK YOU for giving us a chance and for giving Jon the skills and desire to want to live drug free." Cyna C. (June 2006)
"What a great few weeks we've had with Sam. It was so wonderful to see him come home so openhearted. He continues to share his feelings freely and has so many healthy communication skills it's astounding. He's had observations about family dynamics and suggestions that are astute and helpful. He is sharing his journals-reading them aloud page by page and what a gift that is. We are so impressed by the insights in them…. You should know that he still sleeps in his Freer sleeping bag. He says nothing else is quite as comfortable!" Christina M. (June 2006)
"I am writing to thank you for your phenomenal work with our son on his expedition. I can't thank you enough for guiding him through some very difficult emotional issues. He has made a tremendous amount of progress and I feel that he was able to do that with your support and insight. We are so thankful for all of you and for your willingness to sacrifice your comfort and much of your "normal" daily lives to go out there in the heart of the trees and help our children connect with themselves and their families…. You will be in my prayers and thoughts as you continue to guide more expedition participants through the darkness and back into the light. PS- My husband has already shared Catherine Freer as a resource to other friends with teenagers that may need help." Janice A. (May 2006)
"I think our son is really going to make an effort to make changes in his life. The expedition is has been a critical factor in his change. You have a wonderful program going on there. The talent, care and dedication are very apparent in each of you. I was so very impressed with the skill with which you conducted the group process. I found your therapist very eloquent. He peeled away the barriers and defenses of not only my son but also all of the children there with care, respect and concern. It is a talent to be able to gain trust and understanding of such a group. I am grateful for all that the Catherine Freer team has done for our son and our family. I realize we have work ahead of us but we are all working together being supportive and positive. We feel that we caught our son before he slipped away from us entirely. Thank you for your help." Louise H. (May 2006)
"It was very encouraging for me to talk about how far both my son and I have come since his expedition almost two years ago. I am so grateful for this program! I got my son back, and now he is growing up to be a fine responsible young man. I know that there will always be challenges, but they aren't nearly as scary as they used to be! If EVER I can give back to this program in any way please let me know! Lisa O. (April 2006)
"We're so happy to report that our daughter went on expedition going on two years now and has remained free from drugs - and her drug of choice was meth. She went on to college, is gainfully employed and changed her life. She still cannot say enough good things about the life-changing impact Catherine Freer made on her life." Ken and Tracey G. (April 2006)
"We feel fortunate to have Catherine Freer serving the youth community, especially during the critical moments and stages when they need assistance. All the staff in Catherine Freer and Santiam Crossing should be proud of the important role they are playing and the services they are providing to the youth community. Bravo! The Oregon community is proud to having you with us. Keep up the good work and your passions for the youth, my friends!" Peter L. (April 2006)
"It has been a year since Mike's expedition. We are still so happy with the outcome of his six-week expedition. We do believe it was the beginning of a new life for Mike - miraculous changes happened out in the wilderness. Mike is doing well, working hard and staying away from drugs and alcohol. He came home a new person. Again, we are so thankful for the Catherine Freer program." - Linda H. (Feb. 2006)
"I'm sitting here by myself watching "Brat Camp" on ABC and crying. This is because my son is a graduate of your program, and he has made such a change in his life that I had forgotten how far he has come. This program has reminded me of it.
Josh was in your program several summers ago. At that time, I was honestly concerned that he would end his life. I wasn't sure where to turn, and I am eternally grateful that through my insurance, we found our way to your organization.
Joshua is now 18, a high school graduate and employed as a stockbroker in training. He is currently studying for his Series 7 Brokers License. (A test reported to be almost as difficult as the bar exam.) These are lofty goals for someone who has come so far. I am eternally grateful to your program for given my son a new lease on life at a time when he needed it so badly.
Several years later, I believe the experience he had with your program made a profound positive effect on his life. I thank God you were there for us when my son needed you." — Victoria L. (August 2005)
"Thank you once again for saving our son's life. Kevin is happy, successful…and drug and alcohol free for four years…Your program works." - Vincent I. (July 2005)
"I hope your staff know what a positive impact they have on these children, and their families. I cannot think of anything more rewarding than what they are doing. They aren't just saving a few kids, but they are helping to put families back together."
"When we picked our son up after expedition, it was as if we reclaimed the son we had several years ago and more. He is back to his energetic almost hyperactive self but with a new sense of calm, direction, and maturity we have not seen. The self-confidence and inner wisdom he gained from your program is truly amazing."
"I cannot begin to tell you how grateful we are for the program and your phenomenal staff. We were, as most parents in our situation, lost and confused about how to help our child with his addiction until we found your wonderful program. Everything about the program from the initial group therapy session with all the families, to the final day was more than we ever hoped for."
"This past year with Mark has been a year of steady growth. Although not without some struggles, this has been a time of healing for our family, a time in which Mark has come to appreciate the life he has been given, and in which he has relearned the necessity to support and enliven that which is important to him: family, honor and basic morality."
"Now, a year later, I look again with pride at the young man who is helpful to his family, working hard and earning promotions in the workplace, and readying himself for the challenge of college. My heartfelt thanks is extended once again to those who worked so tirelessly with our son on the Freer expeditions, and who reawakened the goodness at his core."
"I really didn't know if the changes in my child would last, but they seem to have passed the test of time... I know now that he has the tools and ability to make the right decisions in life."
"I just wanted to thank you for offering such a worthwhile, life-saving, family-saving program. It was the 'shot in the arm' that our child really needed and the guidance that all of us in his family needed."
"I would have never dreamed that I would need your services as my child was growing up. Your organization has turned a dismal situation into a successful ending."
"It was so comforting to talk with you last week. I hadn't planned to reach out to Catherine Freer that day, but I am glad that I did. It's almost a spiritual experience - actually it is - what y'all have done for our family. From my first contact with [the admissions department] to our most recent call, I have felt valued and accepted. That is truly a gift at anytime, but especially now."
"Please know how grateful we are to all the caring and committed staff who touched our child's life in such a profound way. We shall never be able to thank them adequately for saving our child and our family."
"We were completely and utterly impressed with all phases of your program and felt the entire staff dealt directly and honestly with both the 'kid' and 'parent' side of the ledgers."
"We cannot thank you enough for helping our son take his first and so difficult step down a path to recovery."
"We now have our daughter back, and better than ever."
"I left your office feeling grateful and confident that my child is in competent, experienced and caring hands."
"We are especially grateful for all of you who helped our son find health. We have so much to be thankful for but this gift, your talents and support are number one."
"I cannot thank you enough for giving my son the opportunity to experience your program. There is an inner strength that was not there before. He seems much more comfortable in his own skin."
"If ever a dark cloud passes over your brain and whispers, 'Is all this work for these kids worth it?' — I want you to quickly pull out this letter. Now train your brain to scream, 'Yes, Yes, Yes,'... you see, you saved our son. Over a year has passed since he went on the expedition. You made it possible for him to clean the drugs out of his system and focus positively on the rest of his life. You gave us back our son."
"I would like to thank you for taking the time to work with my family. Your therapy expedition has changed my daughter's life for the better, and ours. She used to explode with anger nearly every day, destroying property. Getting her to dedicate herself to anything was impossible. Her respect level in the home was making life very uncomfortable (putting it mildly). After having experienced your program, she now attends school, is dedicated to a kick-boxing gym and to her health, vows to abstain from becoming sexually active, and believes drugs are for losers! She is making plans and has dreams for her life, which is wonderful for a mom to know! It gives me hope. I had more tears than hope before. She still has temper tantrums (not as often), but when she is done, now she owns her anger, doesn't break things, and says she's sorry, rather than blame or justify like she used to. Recently, I found her reading a book. She said, 'I just can't put it down.' It was on the subject of Zen! I have been continually impressed with her desire to cook healthy meals (which she does everyday ...and cleans up after herself). Sometimes she'll cook a meal for the entire family! I am sticking to my boundaries, and being consistent with rules. She has tested them, without luck! You were right — it does take work on both sides (parent and child), it is hard work, and isn't always easy, but it's worth it to see her smile again."
"Thanks again for all the work that everyone did with my son. There really was a change in him, his attitude, and willingness to work for what is best for him. We realize there is still going to be some tough times ahead, but with lots of work (now that we have a good idea of what kind) and love, we have some reasonable reassurance that he will be okay."
One Father's Account:I receive your e-mails occasionally about the parent support group meetings. I often wonder if I should attend. My son, Kevin, was on one of your wilderness trek programs in September of 2004. I remember how I was feeling then, and I sometimes think it might be helpful to parents who attend those meetings to hear that things do get better.
Kevin is a bright, somewhat headstrong boy, a man now, at 21 last spring. He was using drugs heavily in the last several years of high school, may have been selling drugs at times, was in possession of valuable stolen property used to weigh drugs. He was not being honest with us, his parents, and our family was upset, divided, in more trouble than at any other time, due to his actions. We had gone to family therapy, done drug/alcohol assessments, and nothing was changing. Kevin insisted that there was nothing wrong, and he planned to start college in the fall.
In desperation, I contacted Catherine Freer Programs, attended a meeting with my wife, then enrolled Kevin and took him for the "goodbye" meeting as he left on trek. My feelings were so raw then, sincerely believing that we were losing him to the drugs and dishonesty, and hoping that three weeks "camping" might turn him around.
The day he returned was, for us, a miracle day. He hugged my wife and I so hard, apologized for his life choices, talked about many negative actions we hadn't known about, vowed to leave it all behind. I was too overcome for words, still am.
And then "reality" arrived. Within a few days, he had gotten into contact with old friends, some of whom were involved in his drug use. He began to say that he had been brainwashed, didn't need to change his friends, could "handle it himself." By this time, college was starting, and we delivered him to University of Oregon, having arranged for him to work each week with a good drug/alcohol counselor there. We stayed in close touch with him, and hoped for the best.
Kevin went to the counselor a few times, opened up very little, indicated that he didn't think he needed such help. His grades were fairly poor, Bs, Cs, and Ds. He failed one class his freshman year. But little by little, we began to see good signs. For one, he began camping, backpacking and hiking quite a bit. He enrolled for wilderness survival classes and did well in them. He began to take his friends backpacking, and when they couldn't go, he went alone, sometimes for many days, camping on snow, cooking for himself as he was taught by Freer staff. Slowly, his grades improved, we saw more Bs and fewer Ds, no Fs.
Kevin finished his third year of college last spring and just began his fourth year. He studies Spanish every term, and for the past two summers has lived, worked and traveled in Central and South America, with friends and alone as a volunteer with ecological projects. His interest in camping, living out of doors, has only increased. He is clearly becoming a leader. He thinks deeply, especially about moral issues, and writes a journal which he lets us read, an insightful and honest description of his hopes and concerns. He is majoring in ecology and Spanish, will get a double major degree. He drinks alcohol but seems to control it well. I don't worry about his use of alcohol. I don't know if he uses marajuana, but I got to know the look in his eyes when he was using in high school and I don't see that now. He is clear thinking, articulate, and his memory is excellent.
So this isn't the "sitcom solution," a neat package wrapped up perfectly in 60 minutes. Kevin is, like me and all of us, a work in progress. I foresee now that he will continue to grow as an adult, finish college, approach that transition between college learning and career. As my wife and I listened recently to his stories about his work last summer in Ecuador, I felt such respect for his views and his actions. He faced some truly difficult decisions there, dealing with people, rehabilitating wild animals, being bitten by a poisonous snake. His judgment is solid, his compassion for others is truly extraordinary, and he is able to make decisions while aware of his own uncertainty about what to do. I love him so much, and I don't know anyone I'd rather have for a son. I don't know what he would say today about the effect of Catherine Freer's program on him, but I know what I think --- you made the difference. Kevin deserves all of the credit for this change in his life. But I know that the Freer trek was the turning point.
Perhaps the parents who attend your parent support group meetings are experiencing some of the fears I felt three years ago. If you feel it would be helpful to them, feel free to forward this message to them. Things do get better.
Sincerely, Dave W. (Sept 2007)