Where Boys Become Young Men Through Connection and Trust
Relationship-Based Therapeutic Treatment for Adolescent Boys
On this Page
Live Strong House represents a revolutionary departure from traditional treatment—proving that transformation happens through connection, not compliance.
Academic structure, mentorship, and life coaching in a residential setting designed for long-term growth.
Table of Contents
Who We Are
For nearly a decade, Live Strong House has quietly revolutionized therapeutic education for struggling young men. We don’t advertise widely or fill beds indiscriminately. Instead, we’ve grown through connection, reputation, and results.
This isn’t a corporate chain or investment-backed facility—it’s a mission-driven program where the founders personally oversee every admission, where staff stay for years rather than months, and where your son becomes part of a carefully protected community designed for big, lasting change.
We are a therapeutic boarding school—not a clinical treatment center—designed for young men who need structure, accountability, and guidance to move forward with confidence.
Understanding our story helps you understand why we do things differently.
Our Philosophy: The Power of Relationships
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
James P. Comer, Yale Child Study Center
Your Son Isn't Broken—He's Stuck
The Values that Guide Us
Milestones
HUMILITY
The key to change and acceptance. Students learn that growth requires acknowledging what needs to change, living with accountability and honesty.
COURAGE
The ability to face fears and act despite them. Students develop purpose and learn to sacrifice immediate wants for meaningful goals.
RESILIENCE
Bouncing back from hardship and failure. Students adapt to challenges, look beyond themselves through service, and build lasting strength.
PATIENCE
Students practice responsibility, work through difficulty, and discover that lasting rewards require persistent effort. Meaningful change takes time.
Strong
Students aligned with our core values, learn that true happiness is achieved by practicing Humility, Courage, Resilience, and Patience.
We see it differently
Years of failure, criticism, and misunderstanding have created a self-imposed ceiling on your son’s potential. He believes he’s “the problem kid,” “the failure,” “the disappointment.”
Behind the gaming addiction is a brilliant mind seeking connection. Beneath the substance use is a sensitive soul numbing legitimate pain. Under the defiance is a young man who’s given up believing anyone understands him.
At Live Strong House, we don’t just see who your son is today—we see who he can become when someone finally believes in him, understands him, and refuses to give up on him.
At Live Strong House, relationships are built through daily shared responsibility—meals, academics, physical training, and mentorship—where trust is earned over time, not assumed.
Who We Serve
We specialize in adolescent boys who struggle with:
- Information processing and learning disabilities
- Neurodivergence, executive function and social challenges
- ADHD and executive functioning challenges
- Depression, anxiety, and past trauma
- Gambling addictions and mild substance use
Many of these teens don’t fit traditional schools and have been heavily influenced by negative peer groups. They’re bright young men who’ve lost their way—not because they lack potential, but because traditional approaches haven’t understood how to unlock it.
Live Strong House may not be the right fit if a young man requires acute psychiatric care, intensive clinical treatment, or a locked residential setting.
“Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
— Brené Brown
Our Mission in Action
The mission of Live Strong House is to develop lasting change in the lives of young men by providing the highest quality treatment, living our core values, creating interpersonal relationships, and teaching what it means to Live Strong.
This isn’t just words on a page. Our entire team—from founders to life coaches—came together to craft our living purpose statement.
Paul Taylor, Co-founder
The Relationship Difference
When your son arrives at Live Strong House, he doesn’t meet “staff”—he meets mentors, many of whom have walked similar paths. Life coaches who live alongside him 24/7. Teachers who attend his treatment meetings. Therapists who work with your entire family, not just your son in isolation.
Relationships at Live Strong House are long-term, consistent, and accountable. Mentors do not rotate weekly. Expectations are clear, reinforced daily, and modeled—not enforced through rigid institutional control.
The Founders' Stories
Three Parents, One Mission
Our story didn’t begin in a boardroom; it began in our own homes. As three fathers who have navigated the challenges of raising children with anxiety, depression, and learning differences, we came together to build the program we wished existed for our own families.
The Therapist Who Built What He'd Send His Own Kids To
Get to know Mark—learn how his 28 years of experience led him to create a program where relationships aren't just part of the treatment, they are the treatment.
Twenty-eight years ago, I stumbled into work at a residential treatment center. I loved working with those kids, but the problem with traditional programs became crystal clear: housing 15–20 boys in dorms creates a negative culture.
Shift staff can’t build real relationships, and high turnover destroys trust. We created a place where relationship is the intervention—a program where your son is known, and healing becomes personal.
I built the therapeutic school I’d send my own children to if they needed help.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Nearly three decades of experience working with adolescents and families
- Specializes in relational, attachment-informed approaches to adolescent development.
- Co-founder of Live Strong House
The Educator Who Knew Something Was Missing
.
-
Educator with 30 years of experience working with adolescents
-
Extensive background supporting students with emotional and learning challenges
-
Co-founder of Live Strong House
The Parent who became and advocate
Get to know Eddie—his journey began as a struggling parent, leading him to become a founder driven by hope.
I didn't start in mental health; my background was in business and finance. I started Live Strong House because of my daughter. Watching her spiral was the hardest thing I’d ever faced, and after trying therapists, medications, and various programs, nothing seemed to reach her.
When we finally found treatment that worked, it restored our entire family. That experience gave me a new purpose. I wanted to create a place where boys wouldn't feel like 'treatment kids,' but like humans with hope.
We built this because healing isn’t just about the student; it’s about the whole family system."
- Background in business and finance
- Parent advocate with lived experience navigating the treatment system
- Co-founder of Live Strong House
Mark Spalding, LCSW, Co-Founder
Our History & Growth
See How We've Grown Since 2017
Founded on a vision and one home.
Expanded to serve more families.
Launched comprehensive academic curriculum and parent support program.
Added Transition House for young adults.
Expanded comprehensive parent support program.
Built new school on new campus.
Recognized by leading professionals as one of the top therapeutic schools in the country.
Explore our campus in under 20 seconds
"We researched dozens of programs. What set Live Strong House apart wasn't just the small ratios or beautiful location—it was meeting Mark and realizing he'd built exactly what he'd want for his own sons. That authenticity, that genuine care, it permeates everything."
— Mother of graduate, Class of 2023
Giving Back
The De Novo Project
Scholarships for Families In Need
Founded by Mark and Amy Spalding, this nonprofit provides scholarships for families who couldn’t otherwise afford quality treatment. Named after the Latin phrase meaning “anew,” it represents our belief that every young man deserves a fresh start, regardless of financial circumstances.
Ask us about this fantastic opportunity to give back to the community.
Milestone
Young Adult Program
In 2020, we launched Milestone, a transition program for young adults who have graduated high school but need continued support as they move toward full independence.
A commitment to excellence, verified by the highest national and state standards.