Frequently Asked Questions
For Teens:
Will I still be able to talk to my family and friends?
During your treatment, phone and video calls will be limited to immediate family members. To help maintain other meaningful connections in your life, we use letter writing as an additional form of communication.
Will I be able to have my phone?
Treatment is designed to be an immersive experience, free from everyday distractions. For this reason, we recommend that you leave your cell phone with your parents at admission. If this isn’t an option, we will securely store it for you during treatment.
What should I pack?
We recommend bringing the following items:
- Clothing: Pack comfortable clothes suitable for daily activities. Tennessee experiences all four seasons, so bring weather-appropriate clothing, including a good rain jacket, hat, and proper shoes.
- Footwear: Don’t forget shower shoes (flip-flops or slides).
- Toiletries: If you prefer to bring your own, make sure products don’t list alcohol among the first few ingredients, and that bottles are unused or sealed.
- Water Bottle: We recommend a clear refillable water bottle, like a Nalgene, that can be clipped with a carabiner for outdoor and adventure programming.
- Grooming Items: Electric razors are allowed, but other types of razors are not permitted.
- Personal Valuables: We recommend leaving valuables at home to avoid loss or damage while you’re in treatment.
The following items will be provided for you:
- Bedding, towels, and other linens.
- Our showers are stocked with a 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
How long will I be in treatment?
The length of your stay in our treatment program depends on your individual progress, not a fixed timeline. In the first few weeks, our team will make a recommendation and check in with you regularly to see how you’re doing. Most residents stay with us for 3 to 4 months, and we recommend at least 90 days to build a strong foundation for recovery. Some residents may finish in 30 to 45 days, depending on their progress.
Where am I going to sleep? Will I have my own bathroom?
You’ll stay in one of our main cabins, either Cabin One or Cabin Two. This will be your main peer group, the people you’ll live with and spend most of your day with you. Each cabin has four bedrooms, with three beds in each room (a bunk bed and a single). Staff assign beds and roommates, but if you ever have any concerns, you’re encouraged to talk with them. The bathrooms are shared by everyone in the cabin.
What is the food like? What if I have dietary restrictions?
Meals are served buffet-style, and we offer a variety of options to fit different tastes and preferences. If you have dietary restrictions, allergies, or strong preferences, just let our nursing or dietary staff know so that we can make sure your needs are met.
Can I have visitors?
Visitation during treatment is reserved for immediate family members. Parents, and sometimes siblings, take part in a family program early on in treatment. Once that is completed, family members may be eligible for follow-up visits later in the program.
Do I ever get to go off campus?
Once you have completed some initial treatment assignments and made progress, you’ll become eligible for off-campus outings. These often include recovery community meetings or adventure activities like rock climbing or fly fishing.
What does a typical day look like in treatment?
Most days begin around 7:00-7:30 AM with a morning gathering in the cabin to set goals for the day. You’ll do a few light chores to keep your space tidy and then head to breakfast. Depending on your age group, your morning may include school or therapy groups.
You’ll have about 2.5 hours of class time Monday through Thursday, and daily experiential groups such as art, music, adventure activities, or equine therapy. Each week includes individual and family sessions, plus group therapy and visits with clinical or psychiatric staff as needed.
There is daily recreation time where you can work out, play sports, or enjoy games such as ping-pong, foosball, or pool. Evening groups focus more on peer support and recovery.
What if I don’t want to participate in an activity?
We encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and fully participate in all parts of treatment. If there’s ever something you feel uncomfortable with, just let a staff member know so we can adjust the activity and support your needs.
For Parents:
How do I know if this program is right for my child?
During our first call and initial assessments, we determine whether your teen clinically fits our program. If we don’t believe ARCH is the right fit, we will provide referrals to other facilities. We continually review your teen’s progress and adjust recommendations based on what is in your child’s best interest. You can also speak with an ARCH parent alumni to hear directly from someone who’s been in your shoes.
How do I talk to my child about going to treatment?
We encourage you to speak with one of our adolescent outreach coordinators, who can help you create a plan tailored to your teen and your family. In general, try to have these conversations when both of you are calm, take breaks if emotions run high, and be prepared for more than one discussion. If you’re worried about how your teen may react due to impulsivity or risk-taking, our admissions team can guide you on the safest and most effective approach.
How do I pay for treatment? Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
We are in-network with over 40 commercial insurance companies and will verify your benefits, then review estimated coverage and out-of-pocket costs with you. Because insurance approvals depend on ongoing clinical reviews, we can’t guarantee exact coverage, but we will give you our best estimate before admission. If you’re not using insurance, our financial advisors will walk you through self-pay rates, payment methods, and possible payment arrangements.
How do you address co-occurring mental health disorders?
ARCH programs are designed to treat substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions together, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and mood disorders. Your teen will receive a medical history and physical on admission, an initial psychological evaluation, and ongoing mental health screening that informs their treatment plan. Our licensed counselors use evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, trauma-informed approaches (including EMDR), and family therapy, and we can refer for additional psychological testing when needed.
Is this a secure facility? Will my child be safe?
ARCH Academy is not a locked “hospital-style” facility, but we take safety very seriously. We use a secured campus entrance, alerts, and closed-circuit cameras, and staff provide 24/7 supervision. We conduct searches at admission and as needed to help keep the environment drug-free, and all direct care staff are trained in verbal de-escalation and safe physical intervention techniques.
How will I be involved in my child's treatment process?
Family involvement is a key part of treatment at ARCH. You’ll have access to our weekly virtual parent support group (ARCH Parent Tribe) before, during, and after your teen’s stay. We provide weekly family therapy sessions, a two-day Family Intensive (in person or virtual), and regular brief calls with your teen so you can stay connected. After attending the Family Intensive, you may be eligible for in-person visits during your child’s stay.
Will my child fall behind academically?
ARCH Academy is a fully licensed and nationally accredited school, and all students participate in approximately 10 hours of schoolwork each week. Most teens work on earning or recovering credits that will transfer back to their home school. While our primary focus is treatment, we support academic progress with small classes, teachers on site, and access to online tutors, and we work especially hard with students who have struggled or disengaged from school. If you have specific academic concerns, you can speak with our admissions team and Academic Coordinator before admission.
How long will my child be in treatment?
Length of stay is individualized and based on your teen’s needs, progress, and response to treatment rather than a fixed timeframe. We ask families to commit to at least 30 days so we can properly assess needs and make informed recommendations; many residents benefit from about 90 days, and we can extend up to 6 months when clinically appropriate. We also factor in insurance coverage and family resources to ensure treatment remains a good and responsible use of your time and investment.
Can I speak to and/or visit my child while they are in treatment?
You’ll receive an update from staff within the first 24 hours or next business day after admission. There is typically a 4–5 day period where your teen focuses on settling in and building trust before their first call home, after which we prioritize regular virtual calls and weekly family sessions. In-person visits are guided by the treatment team and often follow your participation in the Family Intensive; when visits occur, they typically include time with a counselor, lunch, and casual time together on campus.
How are outside medical or legal appointments handled?
If your teen has upcoming medical or legal appointments, please share that information with admissions before arrival so we can plan appropriately. Many medical needs can be handled by our in-house providers, and for anything beyond that we coordinate with local healthcare resources. For legal matters, we can often communicate with courts or probation staff to provide updates and help keep your teen in compliance, and in some cases court dates may be postponed while they are in treatment.
For Providers:
What is your admissions process and how do I make a referral?
To begin, call our Adolescent Admissions Coordinator at 615-906-6804 or our main admissions line at 615-356-2700. We’ll gather clinical and medical details, review insurance or payment options, and request records such as immunizations. You can also send documentation to admissions@cumberlandheights.org for review.
Do you share progress updates once a patient is admitted?
With a signed release of information, we can share updates according to your preferences for frequency and communication method. If you have questions or need updates, reach out directly to our Adolescent Admissions Coordinator.
Are you a licensed and accredited program?
We are licensed by the State of Tennessee as a primary substance use facility and accredited by the Joint Commission. Our school is also state-licensed and nationally accredited through Cognia.
What clinical approaches or modalities do you use in treatment? Can you handle complex cases around mental health or other behavioral and emotional concerns?
Our team includes licensed clinicians, medical staff, and professionals in recovery who bring both expertise and empathy. We use evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and family therapy models. Psychiatric and medical providers manage medication needs. While we can support many co-occurring conditions, we are not equipped for severe autism spectrum disorders, violent behaviors, or active psychiatric emergencies. For case-specific guidance, our admissions team can consult on clinical fit.
What outcomes or success rates can you share with me?
Our Research Institute continually tracks outcomes to measure effectiveness. You can view our latest results at cumberlandheights.org/about/research-institute.
How do I know what level of care my patient needs?
Our admissions staff use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to determine the most appropriate level of care. Through initial assessments and screenings, we provide recommendations based on each patient’s clinical and risk profile.
How do I talk to my patient and/or their parents about going to treatment?
Our admissions team can help you create a plan that fits your patient’s situation. It’s best to align all stakeholders beforehand and approach conversations when emotions are calm. Encourage open discussion, set clear boundaries, and take breaks if needed. If safety or impulsivity is a concern, our team can guide you on the safest way to have the conversation and collaborate with outside professionals as needed.
Begin the Journey to Healing for Your Teen
