Something Was Wrong

S24 Ep13: How Profoundly Sorry I Am

September 18, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The Academy at Ivy Ridge operated as a behavior modification center for adolescents, marketing itself as a boarding school, but faced numerous allegations of abuse and misrepresentation, leading to investigations and its eventual closure. 
  • Parents were heavily influenced by manipulative tactics and a "program" that emphasized parental commitment and financial investment, often leading them to believe they were saving their children's lives while overlooking systemic issues. 
  • The story highlights the devastating long-term impact of such programs on survivors and their families, with tragic outcomes including overdoses and deaths, underscoring the need for greater awareness and regulation of similar institutions. 
  • Shannon found profound healing and a connection to her deceased daughter, Kaylin, through her relationship with horses, leading her to pursue equine-assisted therapy. 
  • Shannon advocates for healthy, non-punitive approaches to helping families in crisis, emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma without resorting to shaming or bullying. 
  • Survivors of devastating experiences are encouraged to share their stories to help others heal and to honor those who can no longer speak for themselves. 

Segments

Introduction to Ivy Ridge
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(00:01:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The Academy at Ivy Ridge was a for-profit behavior modification center for adolescents, marketed as a boarding school, which operated from 2001 to 2009 and faced significant allegations of abuse.
  • Summary: This segment introduces the Academy at Ivy Ridge, its purpose as a behavior modification center, its operational period, and the initial context of its business partnerships and marketing strategies.
Allegations and Investigations
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(00:04:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Ivy Ridge faced scrutiny for misrepresenting itself as accredited, leading to a student riot in 2005, a settlement with the New York Attorney General, and formal notification from the New York State Education Department that it was not legally recognized.
  • Summary: This section details the events leading to Ivy Ridge’s downfall, including the student riot, the legal actions taken by the Attorney General regarding accreditation and diploma issuance, and the formal declaration of its lack of legal recognition.
Parental Experience and Manipulation
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(00:12:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Parents like Shannon were manipulated by Ivy Ridge’s marketing and seminar tactics, which preyed on their desperation and fear, leading them to invest heavily financially and emotionally in a program that ultimately failed their children.
  • Summary: Shannon, a parent, recounts her experience sending her daughter Kaelin to Ivy Ridge, detailing the emotional manipulation, the financial burden, and the ‘seminars’ designed to reinforce parental commitment and belief in the program’s efficacy.
Program Structure and Parent Involvement
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(00:22:31)
  • Key Takeaway: Ivy Ridge employed a structured seminar system for parents, emphasizing concepts like ‘possibility, clarity, and boundaries’ and a ‘plus five’ commitment scale, which fostered a sense of community among desperate parents while reinforcing their continued financial and emotional investment.
  • Summary: This segment delves into the parent seminars, the language used, the ‘plus five’ commitment, and how these sessions created a supportive yet potentially coercive environment for parents, making them believe they were actively participating in their child’s recovery.
Survivors’ Accounts and Aftermath
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(00:55:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Survivors’ testimonies and recovered files reveal the severe emotional and psychological abuse experienced at Ivy Ridge, including isolation and forced writing, which parents were unaware of while being reassured of their child’s progress.
  • Summary: This part of the conversation focuses on the devastating realities faced by students, as revealed through recovered files and survivor accounts, contrasting with the parents’ perception of the program’s success and highlighting the tragic loss of Kaelin and her sister.
PetMeds and Vanta Sponsorships
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(01:02:41)
  • Key Takeaway: PetMeds offers expert-backed pet health solutions with fast delivery, while Vanta provides automated security and compliance for fast-moving startups.
  • Summary: This segment features two distinct sponsorship messages. The first is for PetMeds, highlighting their long-standing service in pet health solutions, including flea and tick prevention, supplements, and prescription diets, emphasizing fast delivery and ease of use. The second sponsorship is for Vanta, a company focused on security and compliance for startups, particularly those leveraging AI, promising to help them get audit-ready quickly and maintain continuous security.
Healing Through Horses
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(01:04:03)
  • Key Takeaway: Connecting with horses provided Shannon with a profound sense of peace and a spiritual connection to her deceased daughter, Kaylin, aiding her grief process.
  • Summary: Shannon shares her personal journey of grief after her daughter Kaylin’s passing, detailing how a friend suggested she connect with horses. She describes spending hours at a farm, finding solace and a deep connection with the animals, which eventually led to a vivid dream and the discovery of a horse named Ruby Red Heaven Sent, whom she believes is a manifestation of Kaylin’s spirit.
Therapy and Advocacy
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(01:05:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Shannon transitioned into a career as a marriage and family therapist, focusing on helping families in crisis and advocating for healthy, non-punitive therapeutic approaches, particularly through equine-assisted therapy.
  • Summary: Shannon discusses her decision to pursue a Master’s degree in marriage and family therapy during COVID-19, becoming a therapist who helps families in crisis. She expresses her strong belief in the power of horses for healing and is working to open a branch of her company for equine-assisted therapy. She contrasts this with programs that use berating and shaming tactics, which she strongly opposes.
Survivor Support and Parental Guilt
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(01:07:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Survivors of traumatic experiences need validation and support to heal, and parents grappling with guilt should acknowledge their past wrongs and seek understanding to move forward.
  • Summary: Shannon reflects on the devastation caused by certain programs and expresses her hope that survivors are given the opportunity to heal, emphasizing that they are not bad people and did not deserve to suffer. She addresses parents listening, acknowledging their potential guilt and shame, and encourages them to be open to listening, admit when they were wrong, and find ways to work through their experiences, even if it takes time.