Where Boys Become Young Men Through Connection and Trust
Relationship-Based Therapeutic Treatment for Adolescent Boys
Live Strong House offers a relationship-based therapy treatment approach for adolescent boys who need more than rules and supervision. We provide structure, academic support, mentorship, and life coaching in a residential setting built for long-term growth.
If your son has been misunderstood, stuck, or discouraged by programs that focus on compliance instead of real change, our model is designed to meet him differently. We believe transformation happens through connection, accountability, and consistent relationships that help young men build confidence from the inside out.
Who We Are
For nearly a decade, Live Strong House has served families looking for a different kind of therapeutic education. We’re not a corporate chain or an investment-driven facility. We’re a mission-led program that has grown through trust, reputation, and results.
Our team is focused on creating a protected, structured community where young men can grow over time. The founders remain closely involved, and staff continuity is part of what helps students feel known, supported, and accountable. That consistency matters, especially for boys who have learned to shut down, act out, or distrust adults.
We’re a therapeutic boarding school, not a clinical treatment center. Our environment is designed for young men who need structure, guidance, and daily support to move forward with confidence.
Our Philosophy: The Power of Relationships
At Live Strong House, relationships aren’t an add-on to the work. They are the work.
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
James P. Comer, Yale Child Study Center
We believe lasting change happens when a young man feels seen, heard, and valued. Academic structure, mentorship, shared responsibility, and consistent expectations all work together to build trust. Over time, that trust opens the door to growth that feels real, not forced.
This is the heart of our relationship-based therapy treatment model. Instead of relying on short-term compliance, we focus on meaningful connection, clear boundaries, and steady progress in daily life.
Your Son Isn't Broken—He's Stuck
Many of the boys who come to Live Strong House have been labeled too many times. They may have been called unmotivated, defiant, anxious, lazy, or impossible. We see something different.
We see a young man who may be overwhelmed by failure, misunderstood by peers and adults, or trapped in habits that no longer serve him. Behind gaming addiction, substance use, or withdrawal is often pain, loneliness, or a deep need to belong.
Our job is not to define him by his worst season. Our job is to help him reconnect with purpose, responsibility, and self-respect.
The Values that Guide Us
Our program is built around values that shape how students live, learn, and grow each day.
These values include:
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.
Students who align with these values learn that strong character is developed through practice. We use these principles to support personal growth, healthier habits, and long-term success.
“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
Who We Serve
Live Strong House specializes in adolescent boys who struggle with challenges such as:
- Information processing and learning disabilities
- Neurodivergence (such as ADHD), executive function, and social challenges
- Depression, anxiety, and past trauma
- Gambling addictions and mild substance use
Many of these students don’t fit well in traditional school settings. Some have been heavily influenced by negative peer groups. Others are bright, capable, and stuck because previous approaches never addressed the real issue.
When Live Strong House May Not Be the Right Fit
We may not be the right placement if a young man needs acute psychiatric care, intensive clinical treatment, or a locked residential setting.
If you’re evaluating options for your son, we encourage you to review the Live Strong House admissions criteria carefully and determine whether our program is the right match.
Paul Taylor, Co-founder
The Relationship Difference
What makes Live Strong House different isn’t just the setting. It’s the quality and consistency of the relationships inside it.
Students don’t simply encounter staff members who rotate in and out. They meet mentors, life coaches, teachers, and therapists who stay engaged in the day-to-day process. Meals, academics, physical training, and shared responsibilities all become part of the therapeutic experience.
This creates an environment where trust is earned over time, expectations are reinforced daily, and growth is modeled rather than merely demanded. That consistency is especially important for boys who have struggled with instability, peer pressure, or repeated disappointment.
The Founders' Stories
Three Parents, One Mission
Live Strong House began with three fathers who understood the weight of watching a child struggle. Their motivation was personal, not theoretical.
They came together because they each wanted to build the kind of program they wished had existed for their own families. That shared experience shaped the culture of Live Strong House from the beginning and continues to influence how the program serves students and parents today.
The Therapist Who Built The Program 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.
The Educator Who Knew Something Was Missing
Discover how Paul identified the missing piece in residential treatment—rigorous academics that prepare students for real success beyond recovery.
The Parent who became an advocate
Get to know Eddie—his journey began as a struggling parent, leading him to become a founder driven by hope.
Mark Spalding, LCSW, Co-Founder
Our History & Growth
Live Strong House has continued to grow since 2017, guided by a clear vision and a commitment to long-term support.
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.
Each stage of growth has been shaped by the same goal: to create a stronger pathway for boys and families who need something deeper than temporary change.
“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
Live Strong House is committed to helping more families access support and more young men access opportunity.
The De Novo Project
Scholarships for Families In Need
Founded by Mark and Amy Spalding, The De Novo Project provides scholarships for families who cannot 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, Live Strong House launched Milestone, a transition program for young adults who have graduated high school but still need support as they move toward greater independence.
A commitment to excellence, verified by the highest national and state standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Live Strong House different from traditional programs?
Live Strong House focuses on connection, structure, mentorship, and daily accountability rather than simple compliance. The goal is to help boys build lasting growth through relationships that remain consistent over time.
Is Live Strong House a clinical treatment center?
No. Live Strong House is a therapeutic boarding school, not a clinical treatment center. It’s designed for young men who need structure, academic support, and guidance in a residential setting.
Who is a good fit for this program?
We specialize in adolescent boys who face challenges such as ADHD, executive functioning issues, learning differences, anxiety, depression, trauma, social struggles, gambling addiction, or mild substance use.
What if my son needs more intensive care?
If a young man requires acute psychiatric care, intensive clinical treatment, or a locked residential setting, Live Strong House may not be the right fit.
How do I take the next step?
If you believe your son may be a fit, review the admissions criteria and contact Live Strong House to learn more about the program, the environment, and the support available for your family.