How Our Treatment Works

Outlining The Edge’s approach

The men who come to us all have a different story. We know that the same plan doesn’t work for everyone: that’s why we tailor our programming at The Edge to each participant’s specific treatment needs.

We also believe that a young man is more than the sum of his struggles. We are committed to healing the whole person, and our multi-faceted treatment approach strengthens the mind and body, reconciling the past and claiming ownership over the future.

The Edge offers participants a supportive environment and structured weekly schedule. Through activity, encouragement and experience, we will help you develop valuable life skills, tools for personal growth, and sustained behavioural change.

Our course of therapy can last from one to three months and relies on four primary elements:

Counselling

Working with a certified, professional counsellor helps you develop more positive and powerful patterns of thinking. Even The Edge’s counselling approach is integrative: we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and, where necessary, introduce a modern version of the 12 Steps. This has been proven to achieve breakthroughs in confronting destructive behaviours.

At The Edge, participants experience two forms of counselling—individual sessions and group work—totaling 25 hours each week.

One – on – One Therapy: Upon arrival at The Edge, you are paired with a counsellor who is committed to your progress until the end of your treatment. The work you do together is highly personalised and varies from participant to participant. In some cases, you may develop a relapse prevention plan, particularly if your struggle involves a destructive habit or behavioural pattern that you wish to leave behind you.

Group Therapy: These daily sessions—facilitated by a counsellor—allow you to connect with your peers. You will learn from each other’s setbacks and advances, forge stronger communication skills, and experience the benefits of a new support system. Therapy groups use a variety of evidence based treatment methods and experiential learning to help you tackle daily struggles—like consistently getting healthy sleep—as well as how to better navigate life’s long-term challenges and achieve your goals.

Intense Physical Activity

A dedicated daily routine of high-intensity fitness can actually kick-start brain change by producing feel-good endorphins that encourage positive emotions. This type of exercise also helps to process energy that, when left undirected, can lead to restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and frustration.

At our state-of-the-art fitness facilities, you can pursue:

Strength training
Tennis
Traditional Thai kickboxing
Swimming
Biking
Horseback riding
Rock climbing
…and more.

It may all be new—but with the guidance of a professional trainer, you will have a chance to see what you’re good at, and what feels right. We also make room for a more gentle approach: mindfulness, restful yoga, deep relaxation and meditation are part of our programme.

You’ll leave The Edge in a physical condition you can be proud of, ready to take care of your body and mind as you start the next stage of your life.

Outdoor Adventure

We make the most of our location in the mountains of northern Thailand, where you will have access to jungle trails, secluded waterfalls, pristine forests, and fast-moving rivers. At The Edge, we reinforce positive communication and the value of teamwork experientially: by navigating rapids while whitewater rafting, or by ziplining between ancient treetops. Not only will you create lifelong memories, we are certain that you’ll become a more determined, focused, and confident version of yourself.

Social Responsibility

Our programming is about developing the whole person, and part of this is finding your place in both your community and in society. Through volunteering and local outreach, the Edge emphasises the importance of respect for and accountability to others around you.
This aspect of our treatment is about seeing how you can contribute to the world, empathise with others, and set new goals that will shape you, your work, your relationships, and your purpose.

A Personal Transformation in Paradise

While we present participants with exciting physical and mental challenges, life at The Edge is not designed to be a hardship. Your personal transformation will take place in a resort-like setting, surrounded by lush green mountains and tropical gardens, and with perks like fresh, gourmet dining and regular Thai massage therapy.

Continued Care and Learning

When you complete the residential programme at The Edge—like 96 percent of our participants do—your treatment doesn’t have to end abruptly. Some men choose to move into a safe and less structured environment run by The Cabin Group in order to get used to the outside world again while still receiving staff support. Others join our athletic teaching team, reaching out to new young men in trouble.

We will also enrol you in our online video aftercare programme for six months, managed by an outpatient therapist. This way you can continue staying in touch with your peer support group and maintain your progress from anywhere in the world after you’ve returned home.