Outside In School of Experiential Education

A private, nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive range of care services for youth, adults, and families throughout Pennsylvania. With a focus on outpatient and residential care, Outside In specializes in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Services are geared toward adolescent males aged 13–18 in residential care and include outpatient programs for both young adults and families. The program also offers weekend-based alternatives and a year-round academic curriculum for eligible youth, who are referred by county juvenile probation offices as part of a rehabilitative approach. Instead of being sent to juvenile detention, these young people are placed in the program to continue their education and build life skills. They are treated as students, working to develop self-respect and take charge of their futures. At the core of the organization’s philosophy is the belief that recovery is a learning journey.
Outside In’s treatment approach offers multiple levels of care based on clinical needs, with placement decisions guided by validated tools like the american society of addiction medicine (ASAM) adolescent patient placement criteria. The residential program, Pathway to Recovery, provides 48 beds for adolescent males and incorporates a variety of evidence-based practices. Outpatient and in-home services include individual, group, and family counseling. The model blends the “Stages of Change” with motivational interviewing (MI), alongside evidence-based therapies such as Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and adventure therapy—supporting emotional processing and real-world skill application.
Outside In offers three core programs designed to help youth build life skills and reclaim their futures. The Sanctions Program is a weekend-based alternative for court-involved youth, blending community service with structured life skills groups and in-home case management. The Voyagers Program is a 4–6+ month residential experience that uses outdoor expeditions, daily group activities, and restorative justice to build responsibility, teamwork, and personal growth. Their Education Program provides a year-round academic track with diploma and GED options, small-group instruction, and hands-on vocational training in areas like carpentry, technology, and photography—helping students reconnect with learning in a meaningful way.
Recovery planning begins early and takes a collaborative approach through the “Single Plan,” a personalized aftercare and relapse prevention strategy developed within 30 days of admission. Regularly updated, it guides clients toward independent living. Ongoing support continues through alumni and peer coaching programs that help clients maintain long-term recovery.