youth mentor

therapist

registered nurse

teacher

team leader

Havenwood Academy

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working at Havenwood Academy would definitely be the environment. The staff around you are very inviting and helpful. The orientation process is extensive and sets a perfect example for what we do on a day to day basis which helps you communicate better with your team. You make so many connection with those around you and its overall a very rewarding job. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part about working at Havenwood Academy for me would be the emotional wear and tear. Being around many guests that have very big emotions and trying to manage your own while guiding and keeping them safe can get exhausting. Havenwood provides so many amazing mental heath Benefits such as free therapy sessions for anything you’re struggling with. They also have an amazing administrative team that always welcome you with open arms to talk about any issues youre having and ways to improve. This helps balance the stressful moments while still feeling supported in this work environment. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The overall work environment of Havenwood is very easygoing. All of the staff have built great relationships and bring so much light and laughter to our field. The communication you learn to have with those around you help you support the guests better and be in an overall better mood. I would say it’s very easygoing and feels like a community but can also be very serious emotional and informative when dealing with high risk guests and situations. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day would include helping guests with daily tasks and keeping those that struggle with mental health safe. Havenwood has many activities for the guests that create a very lighthearted and engaging environment. These activities include outings to parks or around town as well as informational groups held in the houses with staff and guests to help guests with their program. A typical day could also include having to place guests in holds when they are escalated or putting themselves and others in danger. You make relationships with the guests so you learn to be very aware or your surroundings and you are often just assisting guests and staff in ways you see fit.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working at Havenwood Academy is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the youth we work with. Being able to support their growth, help them through challenges, and see their progress over time is very rewarding.

I also value the positive team environment. Staff members support each other, and there is a strong sense of teamwork, which makes even challenging days more manageable. The work provides a clear sense of purpose and allows me to continue developing both professionally and personally.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
One of the more challenging aspects of working at Havenwood Academy is managing the emotional demands of the role. Supporting youth through difficult situations can be intense at times, and the environment can be unpredictable depending on student needs.

Additionally, there are moments that require quick decision-making and adaptability, especially during high-stress situations. However, these challenges have helped me grow stronger in my ability to stay calm under pressure, think critically, and work effectively as part of a team.

Overall, while the role can be demanding, it has strengthened my resilience and professional skills.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment at Havenwood Academy is supportive and team-oriented, with a strong sense of purpose. Staff members work closely together and rely on one another, which helps create a positive and collaborative atmosphere. Leadership is generally approachable, and there is an emphasis on growth, both professionally and personally.

At the same time, the environment can be fast-paced and emotionally demanding due to the nature of working with youth in a treatment setting. This requires flexibility, strong communication, and the ability to adapt quickly to different situations.

Overall, the culture promotes teamwork, learning, and making a meaningful impact, while also encouraging staff to grow through challenging but rewarding experiences.

I believe these folks have the right idea, but the wrong approach. 
There are differences between rules and boundaries, but at Havenwood, that line seemed to be rather blurred, which led to multiple confusions between staff and students. I also felt, as a staff member, that I wasn't as appreciated as I deserved to be--as all the youth mentor and student-interacting staff deserved to be. I also noticed multiple inconsistencies and contradictions throughout the company, as well as some closed-minded and potentially harmful statements during training sessions. 
For example, a training in which the instructor stated that "if you've never fought with your partner, you're either a liar, or your relationship is unstable/failing" never sat right with me, and even still haunts me. The statement seems to show that fighting equals a sign of strength and growth, or even a sign of love and care. Which, again, felt like the right idea, but the wrong approach. It's important to also note that it is possible to disagree and still find common ground without fighting or arguing. Because fighting/arguing CAN be healthy, but fighting/arguing DOES NOT equal healthy. And just because you've never fought with your partner, does not mean that relationship is failing. 
Again, I believe this company has the right idea, but the wrong approach in a lot of different areas. Because in the grand scheme of things... Intent vs. Impact, impact holds a heavier weight. Because regardless of your intentions, if somebody was hurt or negatively impacted in the process, then your intentions don't hold as much value. 
I truly believe this company can do really great things, I just wish they were more mindful of their approaches. 

Working at Havenwood was one of the hardest yet most rewarding experiences of my life. This job is not for everyone—it’s physically and emotionally intense. You will be working with kids who have experienced deep trauma, and many struggle with severe behavioral issues, mental health struggles, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Crisis situations, including holds and alarms, can happen weekly if not daily at times, and bad days can leave you crying in your car after a shift. I often told newer staff that its not a matter of if you'll get hit, but when. you need grit wokring here because you will be dealing with situations that you would never imagine.
That said, the job can also be beautiful. I learned more about teamwork, leadership, communication, and myself than I ever expected. Seeing a kid come in broken and leave with hope is something I’ll never forget. Some days felt like pure chaos, others felt like you were just hanging out and laughing with amazing, resilient teens. You definaily need to have asense of humor working here or you will be eaten alive via roasting and jokes. Building relationship with staff and kids is key to working here. They have a good support system here with your coworkers and higher ups, you just need to reach out when times get hard for you. My coworkers truly had my back. Yes, there was gossip and disagreements like any workplace, but when things got real, everyone pulled together. Management supported my growth and pushed me to lead, even when I didn’t think I was ready. The flexibility of on-call work while I was in school was a huge benefit, too.
If you’re considering this job, be honest with yourself. It’s hard—really hard, and it will push you to your limits. I don’t recommend this work lightly, but if your heart is in it, and you can handle the weight of it, it’s one of the most meaningful things you’ll ever do.

Working here is extremely challenging — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Staff frequently face verbal abuse, biting, spitting, hair-pulling, being attacked with items, or even multiple guests at once. This is not an easy job and requires resilience, patience, and understanding.

The work can bleed into your everyday life, as the emotional, physical, and mental strain often carries over outside of work. You need to manage this alongside your personal responsibilities and daily stresses.

Training is very hands-on and mostly on the job. While basic training is provided, you’ll continue learning through daily experience and by observing other employees. With a high turnover rate, you’ll often be surrounded by new staff, which can make the learning process more challenging.

Management can be unsupportive at times, often deflecting blame onto staff rather than addressing issues at higher levels. New employees should go in knowing the realities and be prepared for a demanding environment. Despite this, the job can teach valuable lessons about handling difficult situations and provide a unique perspective for future roles.

A typical day in this role is both rewarding and purposeful. From the moment the shift begins, the focus is on meeting the youth where they are — ensuring they have access to proper hygiene, nutritious meals, and the daily structure they need to thrive. Physical health is also a priority, with dedicated time built in for exercise and movement, helping the youth develop healthy habits that will serve them for life.

While traditional academics may not be the current focus, education still plays a vital role. The goal is to meet each young person at their unique stage in life and equip them with the life skills and foundational knowledge they need to build a successful future. Every interaction is an opportunity to teach, model, and inspire.

Working in this environment has been an incredible learning experience. Key lessons — like the importance of self-care, the power of connection before correction, and how to establish healthy, firm boundaries — have shaped a stronger, more intentional approach to working with youth. These are skills that extend far beyond the workplace.

The culture at Havenwood is something truly special. Management leads with kindness, respect, and a genuine investment in staff growth. That supportive energy flows throughout the entire team and creates an environment where both staff and youth can flourish.

Of course, every role comes with its challenges. The most demanding aspect is learning to read the room — understanding the mood and emotional state of each young person in order to get on their level and proactively redirect potential behaviors before they escalate. It requires patience, emotional intelligence, and consistency.

Ultimately, this work is about showing up fully — every single day — for young people who need it most.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The best part of working at Havenwood Academy in Cedar City, Utah would have to be the culture. Creating an environment that both youth and staff want to be part of, creating incentives across the board along with world class care has been something I am very proud to be a part of. Watching our guests go from not trusting anyone, to being able to open up and share about their past is beyond rewarding. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working at Havenwood Academy, would have to be making sure the right staff is in the correct spot or position. Not everyone is made for this job and that is okay but knowing who to rely on and support is huge. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment and culture is very welcoming and driven towards goals and continuous improvements. There is always something to be worked on or to improve and this is an amazing mindset that leaders have trickle down to even the position of a youth mentor. Havenwood Academy provides world class care for girls that would not otherwise receive it, this means there are some hard days, but there is always staff there to support you and give advice at any given moment. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day for me at Havenwood Academy looks like sending out the schedule for my staff to be able to follow and have structure. Then guests are picked up after school, after that we follow the schedule that includes activities, meals, chores, meds and hygiene. Once the guests are asleep for the evening, daily notes are written for each guest along with a shift note to recall the days happenings.

I have worked at Havenwood Academy as a direct care staff for the past 6 months and have enjoyed my experience so far. I really enjoy my job and find that it is very rewarding. In my interview they told me that there will be days that I hate my job but also days where you’ll love it so much and that is definitely true. It’s not the easiest thing to help these clients who are struggling with problems, but seeing them grow and change has been so fun and enjoyable for me. This definitely isn’t the place for you if you are trying to get an easy paycheck, but the pay is pretty good as they recently bumped it up to $15/hr starting. The leadership are some of the kindest and most down to earth people. They are willing to talk you through any questions about the job you have. There are regular training sessions that help increase the staff's skills to deal with the high stress situations that occur. It is a relationship based program which was something that I was a little nervous about at first, but getting to know the clients is probably the best part of the job. My only grievances are that the shifts are kind of awkward and there are high stress situations that need to be dealt with calmly. It has been a little tricky to work around my school schedule, but they are willing to work with you and your schedule. I know that there are a bunch of college students that have been successful while working here. I’ve found that the more I’ve worked, the more I’ve learned and those high stress situations aren’t as bad. I overall really enjoy this job and love seeing the clients grow and progress in their lives. 




While working at Havenwood Academy, it has truly been an eye opening experience. I have learned so much about the world, the mental health field, overall mental health, empathy, trauma, and myself. I have learned better coping skills, de-escalation strategies,  and leadership and teamwork skills.

A typical day at Havenwood Academy is centered around a daily schedule that is created and perfected by our leadership. We get different ones everyday that is centered around our guests and providing them a structured day full of learning opportunities, therapeutic activities, and relationship building activities. We follow the schedule while maintains a safe, healing, and positive environment.  as staff ensure the guests are being safe to themselves, to other guests, and to the property around them. 

Management and leadership is always there for staff, and always supportive. There are always opportunities and and room to grow more with constructive feedback. 

Havenwood Academy’s workplace culture is supportive. Staff is continuously supported, by eachother and staff. When there is something that needs to be corrected for staff, it is addressed, and the team immediately takes steps to improve it. 

The hardest part of the job is seeing the guests struggling, as well as maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing the guests getting better, gaining healthier coping skills and healthier habits.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Seeing guests succeed and grow

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The emotional toll it takes to be a direct care staff for the guests is heavier at some times than others. Working at Havenwood offers a unique, character-developing experience that stretches you in ways few roles can. It asks for patience when situations feel overwhelming, compassion when it’s easier to shut down, and resilience when progress is slow or unseen. In those harder moments, you’re not just supporting others, you’re learning how to regulate your own emotions, set healthy boundaries, and show up with consistency and care.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment at Havenwood can be emotionally demanding and unpredictable. Staff are often supporting guests through difficult moments, which requires patience, resilience, and strong boundaries. The culture emphasizes accountability and teamwork, but there can be challenges with leadership, including moments where staff may feel unfairly treated or experience conflict with team leaders. Overall, it’s a meaningful environment that pushes you to grow, especially in handling stress, navigating complex situations, and advocating for yourself.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Youth mentor 49 salaries reported	$18.33 per hour
Therapist 11 salaries reported	$82,500 per year
Registered nurse 8 salaries reported	$34.00 per hour
Teacher 3 salaries reported	$51,000 per year
Team leader 10 salaries reported	$22.70 per hour

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