Introducing Camp Courage: A Transformative OCD Treatment Program for Pediatrics & Adolescents

Thrive Wellness • July 20, 2023

Introducing Camp Courage: Embracing Growth and Empowerment

Thrive is thrilled to present its newest service, Camp Courage, an innovative OCD treatment program designed specifically for adolescents and pediatrics. Our program is here to empower clients to take control of life and overcome the challenges posed by OCD. With a team of compassionate professionals, we are dedicated to guiding clients towards growth and a life of courage.

Each client at Camp Courage is unique, and their journey is guided by their individual values. We encourage our clients to identify one value they would like to focus on during their work for each day. This empowers them to align their actions with their personal aspirations and provides a foundation for meaningful progress.

Comprehensive Treatment Approach: Empowering You and Your Support System

At Camp Courage, we believe in a comprehensive and personalized approach to treatment. We provide the following key components to support your journey:

  1. Thorough Psychosocial Assessment and Psychological Testing: By understanding your unique OCD features and any comorbid mental health issues, we can tailor treatment to specific needs. 
  2. Ongoing Psychiatric Assessment and Treatment: Our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, specializing in OCD and related disorders, will work closely with you to provide continuous assessment and effective treatment. Our care coordinators also hold the responsibility of assessing client’s anxiety levels throughout all sessions, as well as conducting ERP sessions.  
  3. Individual, Family, and Multifamily Group ERP Therapy: We believe in the power of shared experiences and understanding. Through our therapy sessions, both individually and as a family, families will gain a deeper understanding of OCD and related behaviors. Not only is the client learning how to overcome their obsessions and compulsions, but the parents are also learning how to confront their child’s OCD symptoms without avoidance. Avoiding one’s OCD symptoms, on any scale, allows the condition to be left untreated. We support all parties in the steps to overcoming OCD challenges and provide guidance to help your family cease their involvement in avoidance behaviors.
  4. Exposure-Based Behavioral Tools: Thrive is dedicated to teaching clients the power of exposure therapy. When addressing OCD, two vital aspects of the treatment process emerge: a specialized variant of Cognitive Behavior Therapy termed “Exposure and Response Prevention” (ERP) and the incorporation of medication when deemed essential. Camp Courage employs both ERP and, if required, medication management to support clients on their journey towards recovery. Each exposure is meticulously crafted by Thrive therapists, tailored to fit the unique struggles of each client. Our staff accompanies clients on a two-hour-long journey, carefully designed to confront their unique fears. Whether it’s facing a fear of drinking water or tackling an obsession related to a specific food, support is present as our care coordinators take part in ERP sessions every step of the way. We guide clients through their fears, providing support and monitoring their anxiety levels throughout the process. By repeatedly facing their fears in a structured and supportive environment, clients learn to confront their emotions head-on, replacing avoidance with courage. 

Through intentional exposure and the ability to navigate the emotions that arise, our clients gain the tools to overcome their fears and reclaim their lives. We document each exposure meticulously, ensuring progress is tracked and celebrated. Step by step, fear is transformed into strength, and our clients emerge more resilient than ever. 

Program Structure: A Journey Towards Transformation

At Camp Courage, there are two comprehensive treatment options: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Each program is designed to provide the right level of support and care for every unique need.

In between exposure times, group sessions are available where valuable support and guidance for the clients are found. These sessions assist clients in dealing with their struggles. By sharing experiences and strategies, clients cultivate resilience, knowing they are not alone in their journey. Together, we navigate the challenges, celebrate successes, and reinforce the courage that resides within each individual. 

Additional Activities and Support: Embracing a Well-Rounded Approach

To enhance your treatment experience, Camp Courage incorporates various activities and support measures. We believe in a holistic approach to healing. Clients have the opportunity to engage in social outings for exposure therapy, explore cooking experiments with different textures and colors, and enjoy mindful movement or sensory walks. These activities, along with exposure-based therapy, empower clients to take charge of  their life and further overcome the challenges that OCD presents.

A Path to Freedom: Embrace the Courage Within You 

Thrive’s Camp Courage is not just a treatment program; it is a transformative journey towards long-term recovery. We understand the impact that OCD has on psychological, educational, and relational well-being. Our goal is to empower those suffering from OCD to heal and create a life full of joy and possibilities. With evidence-based care and a compassionate team, we are bringing a new level of hope and opportunity to Northern Nevada. Together, we will nurture your growth, celebrate all victories, big and small, and accompany all who are welcome on this courageous path towards lasting transformation. Embrace the courage within you and embark on this life-changing journey today. 

About the Author Katie Stout-Ithurralde, MBA Regional Executive Director

Katie Stout joins Thrive with more than 17 years of experience in the behavioral health field, 13 years of which have been dedicated to eating disorder treatment. Katie has her master’s degree in business management along with an undergraduate degree in social work. As the previous chief executive officer of two behavioral health organizations, most recently serving as regional director of operations for Applegate Recovery, Katie has extensive experience in various settings including residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient therapy centers.With a passion that centers around treating the entire person, mind, body, and spirit, Katie provides a sense of trust that helps foster a safe environment for clients as they begin this path to a happier, healthier life. 

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December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
November 14, 2025
The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
November 11, 2025
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? Thrive Wellness is excited to continue our 6th Annual Giving Tree Program in collaboration with Perenn Bakery this winter. This year, Thrive Wellness Reno and Perenn Bakery are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northern Nevada. The organization supports families with children receiving treatment at area hospitals, providing comfort, hope, and a home-away-from-home during challenging times. Ronald McDonald House Charities offers essential services, removes barriers, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare the most. How It Works Simply take one (or a few) tags from the Giving Tree, each listing an item you can purchase and donate for residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Then, drop off your item(s) at one of our designated donation locations by Friday, December 19. Items Needed: Restaurant gift cards Walmart or Target gift cards Games, puzzles, and coloring books Toys (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego sets, craft sets, magnet blocks, baby dolls, action figures, journals, infant toys, etc.) Children's books (picture, chapter, and graphic novels) Toiletry sets (for adults) Lotion/self-care gift sets (for adults) Sweatshirts/hoodies (adults, XS-XXL) Scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, pajamas (all sizes) Infant diapers, onesies, and baby bottles Bulk individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.) Please ensure all donations are new, in original packaging, and unwrapped. Donation Drop-Off Locations Please deliver donations by Friday, December 19, to one of the following sites: Thrive Wellness 201 W Liberty St., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 Perenn Grocery 7600 Rancharrah Pkwy, Suite 130, Reno, NV 89511 The first 50 people to return their donations will receive a complimentary ornament gift!  Why We Give Back Through our Giving Tree program, we’re honoring one of our core values at Thrive Wellness: staying rooted in community. This annual tradition allows us to give back to those who need support most during the holiday season. We invite you to join us by taking a tag at any Thrive or Perenn location and helping spread kindness throughout our community. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by supporting local families with thoughtful, heartfelt donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
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