Support Group for Survivors of the Troubled Teen Industry
A safe space to process and heal from your traumatic experiences in boarding schools, wilderness programs, IOP/PHP treatment facilities, and similar programs.
This support group is for any survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry seeking a compassionate, trauma-informed space where their experiences are deeply understood and validated. Together, we’ll explore the lasting impacts of these programs, process complex emotions like anger and shame, and reclaim a sense of agency and belonging. Whether you attended a boarding school, wilderness program, or treatment facility, this group offers a supportive community where you can share your story, rebuild trust, and discover new paths toward healing, resilience, and self-expression.
12-week commitment • 6-8 members • 60-min virtual • $35 per session
Topics We Might Cover:
Exploring program-specific trauma and its lasting impacts
Re-parenting the wounded parts that acted out in pain
Processing the role of parents before, during, and after
Navigating mistrust of authority and rebuilding healthy boundaries
Processing anger, resentment, and other complex emotions
Healing shame from 'behavioral problems' and misdiagnoses
Deconstructing harmful messages about self-worth, obedience, and punishment
Identifying and recovering from manipulative tactics used in programs
Addressing isolation and disconnection, rebuilding a sense of belonging
Addressing isolation and disconnection, rebuilding a sense of belonging
Relearning trust, setting boundaries, and forming meaningful connections
Reclaiming agency over your body, choices, and future
Rediscovering creativity, joy, and freedom through self-expression
Recognizing resilience and exploring opportunities for post-traumatic growth
Empowering yourself to advocate for your needs and beliefs
Developing tools to manage anxiety, hyper-vigilance, and dissociation
Transforming from survivor to thriver by reframing your story
Healing religious trauma or redefining your spiritual beliefs
Rebuilding a positive relationship with nature and the outdoors
This group is now forming.
Sessions will be scheduled based on the availability of interested members. To learn more and express your interest in joining, please reach out. All potential members will complete a brief 15-minute consultation call to ensure the group is the right fit.
12-week commitment • 6-8 members • 60-min virtual • $35 per session
About Me
Hi, I’m Clara Mackinlay—a holistic psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery and a survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry.
At 14 years old, I experienced what many survivors know all too well: the trauma of being taken from my bed in the middle of the night by strangers. Two large men kidnapped me at 4 a.m. as my parents watched, silent and complicit, and drove me nine hours from California to a fully locked-down facility in Kanab, Utah. I spent the next 11 months surrounded by sterile white walls adorned with Bible verses painted in Hobby Lobby-style font, told that my healing required submission and faith in Jesus. The isolation, control, and emotional manipulation during that time left scars that would take me years to understand, process, and begin to heal.
Over the years, I’ve walked a long and winding road to reclaim my sense of self, freedom, and trust in the world. My healing journey shaped the therapist I’ve become.
In my professional work, I’ve had the opportunity to work with teens in IOP and PHP treatment settings. Witnessing the psychological and emotional abuse that can occur at the hands of underqualified and unregulated staff reaffirmed my commitment to creating trauma-informed, compassionate spaces for healing. I know how damaging these environments can be, both as a survivor and as someone who has seen the systemic issues perpetuated in similar programs.
Today, I bring both lived experience and professional training in trauma recovery to my work. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the lasting impacts of these programs and how vital it is to feel understood, validated, and supported.
This group is deeply personal to me. It’s a space where you can explore your experiences, untangle the layers of pain and shame, and begin to rebuild your story in a way that feels empowering and authentic. Together, we can process the past, find resolution, and create space for hope, growth, and healing.