therapist

clinical assistant

behavior technician

mentor

registered nurse

The Ridge

Working in a therapeutic school with adolescents is certainly not for everyone but those who work at Shortridge Academy are dedicated professionals who truly have hearts for helping teenagers and their families. 
As clinical director my door is always open to anyone from any department who wants to ask questions, offer opinions, or discuss ideas.  Many times the best ideas here come directly from the people spending the most time with the students.
 I have continued to work at Shortridge for 13 years now because I trust that it’s owner is committed to doing what’s best for students and their families.  Our staff are outstanding professionals who go above and beyond to make sure each student here has their best shot at success. 
 There are certainly some very challenging days in this type of profession,   But knowing that children are being given good opportunities from a productive environment causes most people here to feel great about their work.
 Staff who work well at Shortridge tend to be great team players who can form relationships easily with the students.  Staff who don’t work out as well often struggle with their own ability to work as a team or who can’t appropriately connect with teenagers.

 Shortridge is also a year-round school as many of our students have missed some time in the classroom for various reasons and need time and space to catch up.   Although we have five full break weeks throughout the year, we are not the school for a staff member who hopes for three months off in the summer.

This job can be tough on some days, for sure, we are working with and supporting teens who are often really struggling and that can be emotionally taxing. Every day is different as we help kids navigate treatment. It’s a fast paced environment and can be stressful at times. There are lots of really great moments and Fun when engaging with clients doing cool activities like biking, hiking, yoga, art and music. 

Management is generally approachable and supportive. Though they can be pretty busy and sometimes response time is not the best. It’s nice to see them on the floor actually working with the clients and backing up the staff, it’d be great to see more of that, but it seems like they make an effort; they do help respond to crisis situations - even the directors get involved when needed.

The company is growing and there are a lot of changes, most of them are good. It’s a great job for someone wanting to make a career in adolescent mental health and looking to advance their career. 

Work culture is all about supporting the kids and each other, but it does make a difference which shift you’re on, definitely some are more structured or more disorganized due to who is there for leadership. 
Overall, I was glad to go to work everyday


Working in the mental health field is obviously a difficult thing to do. But having a staff that does not communicate with each other about anything makes things even worse. There is no training for new employees so if you have no experience working with kids or the mental health field good luck! This lack of training is extremely overwhelming and confusing to new employees. The higher-ups will treat you like you are stupid for asking questions or clarification on things you are confused about. You are expected to know how to do everything without being trained and humiliated for making mistakes. You are often spoken to about your work performance in front of other employees and publicly embarrassed for your actions. It's not out of the normal to have somebody speak to you in a passive-aggressive tone either. Higher-ups will treat you like an idiot and not even know your name. The clients are nicer than the employees half the time (and that really says something). There are silver linings in this mess though. The therapists are great and do such a great job with the clients. Many of the shift supervisors are great communicators and give great feedback. If you can deal with the mental distress this job gives you then go for it! If you get stressed out easily DO NOT WORK HERE. I hope to see a change in how employees are treated at this establishment because this is an extremely difficult job. A job that devours your whole life and gives you very little back as compensation. 

Working at Ridge RTC has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. The organization is deeply committed to providing high-quality care to adolescents, creating a safe and supportive environment for both clients and staff.

The leadership team fosters a culture of collaboration and open communication, making employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the mission of improving adolescent mental health. The structured therapeutic programs, such as CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy, are incredibly effective, and it’s inspiring to be part of a team that prioritizes evidence-based practices.

Beyond the clinical work, Ridge RTC emphasizes holistic care, including outdoor activities, art, and music therapy. This well-rounded approach not only benefits the clients but also creates a dynamic and engaging workplace for staff. The training and professional development opportunities are also excellent, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally.

I would highly recommend Ridge RTC to anyone passionate about making a difference in adolescent mental health. It’s a place where your work feels meaningful, and you truly see the positive impact you’re making every day.

Every night working at The Ridge is different. Some can be quite challenging because all the kids at the RTC are here for help with mental health / behavioral issues. If you can keep that in mind though it’s pretty manageable and hugely rewarding. Overnights are a much slower pace than during the day. Once the kids are settled in, the rest of the night is so easy. This is 10/10 an amazing job. Some coworkers have bad attitudes but it’s easy to ignore if you just stay in your lane and focus on yourself and what’s within your control. Supervisors on overnight shift are very supportive and kind and will help you learn as you go. Leadership seems to be heading in the right direction. The campus is expanding currently with new buildings under construction and opportunities for advancement and overtime available. It’s an exciting time to work at The Ridge and I’m grateful every day to be here!

Working at Ridge RTC  has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. The organization’s dedication to providing high-quality care for adolescents struggling with mental health challenges is truly inspiring. The leadership team fosters a supportive and collaborative environment where employees feel valued and empowered to make a difference.

The training opportunities are top-notch, equipping staff with the tools and knowledge needed to excel in their roles. It's clear that Ridge RTC prioritizes professional growth, and management is always open to feedback and ideas for improvement.

What stands out most is the strong sense of community among the team. Everyone is passionate about the work they do, creating a positive and motivating atmosphere. The facility itself is well-maintained, providing a safe and nurturing environment for the residents, which makes it easy to take pride in the work we do.

If you’re looking for a meaningful career in a place where you can grow both professionally and personally while positively impacting lives, Ridge RTC is the place to be! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This company is a masterclass in performative care and corporate greed. It’s run by classless, self-serving individuals who masquerade as leaders in the community while doing the bare minimum to maintain that image. Behind the scenes, it’s all about money, filling every bed and expanding the campus regardless of whether the care being provided is ethical, effective, or even safe.

Staff are treated as disposable. There is no genuine concern for employee well-being, and burnout is not just common…it’s expected. Leadership is completely detached from the day to day realities on the units, and any attempts to raise concerns are either ignored or met with defensiveness and gaslighting. Transparency is nonexistent, morale is constantly low, and the revolving door of staff speaks volumes.

If you’re passionate about truly helping others, prepare to have that passion drained. This place doesn’t nurture therapeutic growth it undermines it. The culture is toxic, exploitative, and driven by appearance over substance. 

Working at The Ridge was an incredibly disheartening experience. From the very beginning, it was clear that staff were not supported by leadership—in fact, I was routinely thrown under the bus by management any time a challenge arose. Instead of fostering collaboration or accountability, supervisors seemed more concerned with saving face and shifting blame, even when it meant sacrificing the well-being or reputation of their team members.

I came into this role with a passion for helping others, but the internal culture made it nearly impossible to do that well. Concerns were often met with defensiveness, and there was no psychological safety to speak openly or advocate for clients without fear of retaliation.

If you’re looking for a supportive, ethical, or growth-oriented environment, I’d strongly caution against The Ridge. The clients deserve better, and so do the staff.



A typical day was fast-paced and required balancing multiple priorities, including collaboration with clinical teams, managing referrals, and problem-solving in real time. I learned a great deal about communication, adaptability, and navigating complex systems of care. Management was generally supportive, though at times clearer structure and follow-through would have improved efficiency. The workplace culture emphasized mission-driven work and helping others, which created a sense of purpose, though it could also feel high-pressure. The hardest part of the job was managing competing demands and occasional breakdowns in communication across teams. The most enjoyable part was building relationships, helping clients access care, and contributing to meaningful outcomes.

Shortridge has been driven by its mission to help teenagers and their families to grow stronger and healthier since it has opened.  Its owner went to a similar school and is not driven by money, rather by the desire to give kids the chance he had to turn his life around and find success.
Staff are professional, energetic, funny, and dedicated.  Care is given to providing training and creating a work environment that is helpful for the staff and students. Most members of the management team have open door policies. 
Management is generally willing to promote those who work hard and do well, and is not afraid to terminate those who can't maintain appropriate boundaries with students.
Most staff have been there many years and enjoy their work.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Therapist 16 salaries reported	$84,531 per year
Clinical assistant 16 salaries reported	$22.81 per hour
Behavior technician 3 salaries reported	$22.67 per hour
Mentor 7 salaries reported	$16.57 per hour
Registered nurse 9 salaries reported	$42.17 per hour

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