Anasazi Foundation

Anasazi Foundation logo

1424 South Stapley Drive, Mesa, AZ 85204, USA


Is this your facility?

This listing has not yet been claimed or verified by its owner.

Recognized internationally for its caring and effective approach, ANASAZI Foundation is a non-profit (501c3) intervention resource that helps to restore and strengthen parent-child relationships.

ANASAZI's licensed and Joint Commission-accredited, outdoor behavioral healthcare services are ideal for adolescents (12-17) and young adults (18+) struggling with lack of motivation, defiance, mild mood disorders, drug and alcohol experimentation, internet addiction, entitlement issues, and other self-defeating behaviors. We offer 50-day (minimum stay) wilderness-based, residential treatment programs rooted in the belief that all young people'regardless of their struggles or at-risk choices'possess an inherent "seed of greatness." This idea permeates our philosophy and our evidence-based therapeutic approach, which addresses the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of a child's life.

ANASAZI considers its work with parents and caregivers to be as important as its work with their children. Our renowned parenting program and aftercare services help committed parents create a home environment that enhances family unity and promotes a lasting change in family behavior.

Our non-punitive ANASAZI Way philosophy focuses on one's strengths and good deeds'it relies on natural consequences rather than on contrived experiences or punishment. This approach promotes a change of heart that often results in a lasting change in behavior. The young people who participate in ANASAZI programs discover a profound sense of self worth which enables them to begin anew and assume responsibility for the choices that govern the course of their lives.

The ANASAZI Way was developed over the past 40 years by Larry Dean Olsen and Ezekiel Sanchez, who are widely considered to be pioneers of the field generally known as wilderness therapy. Together in 1988 they formed ANASAZI Foundation to make this experience available to all families, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Note: ANASAZI is not a boot camp. Participation in an ANASAZI program requires personal responsibility and accountability; however, no force, contrived experiences, manipulation, confrontation, point or level systems, or other behavioral modification techniques or models are employed."Troubled teens" need proven intervention, not boot camp

ANASAZI does not consider itself a brat camp. There are no "brats" or "bad kids" at ANASAZI. We help children and young adults (and their caring families) who in some cases have made bad choices. Our many years of experience working with thousands of diverse young people make this important distinction abundantly clear. While we appreciate the good work performed by other licensed and accredited wilderness therapy providers, our programs differ in significant ways. We invite you to compare ANASAZI with these and other providers to about our clinical approach and the proven principles which form the foundation of our programs.


Primary Focus of the Provider

  • Mix of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Type of Care

  • Substance abuse treatment
  • Do not use medication for opioid addiction

Facility Type


Treatment Approaches

  • Cognitive/behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Substance abuse counseling approach
  • Trauma-related counseling

Facility Smoking Policy

  • Smoking not permitted

Service Setting (e.g., Outpatient, Residential, etc.)

  • Residential
  • Long-term residential

Facility Operation (e.g. Private, Public)

  • Private organization
  • State department of health
  • The Joint Commission
  • Other national oraganization

Payment/Insurance Accepted

  • Cash or self-payment
  • State financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
  • Private health insurance

Emergency Mental Health Services


Payment Assistance Available


Language Services

  • Spanish

Special Programs/Groups Offered

  • Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders
  • Adolescents
  • Transitional age young adults

Ancillary Services

  • Treatment for gambling disorder
  • Treatment for internet use disorder
  • Individual counseling offered
  • Group counseling offered
  • Family counseling offered
  • Marital/couples counseling offered
  • Brief intervention approach
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Anger management
  • Relapse prevention

Age Groups Accepted

  • Children/adolescents
  • Adults

Gender Accepted

  • Female
  • Male

Exclusive Services


  • Anasazi Foundation

    1424 South Stapley Drive, Mesa, AZ 85204