Change has always been part of growth, and at Summit Achievement, growth is one of our core values. As a community of referral partners, colleagues, parents and supporters, you’ve been an integral part of our journey. With that in mind, we’re excited to share an evolution that’s been thoughtfully shaped by reflection, experience, and our ongoing commitment to doing this work well.
You might have noticed a fresh new logo, a redesigned website, and updated language across our materials. This isn’t just a visual refresh—it’s a strategic shift designed to create more clarity, reduce confusion, and better reflect how our program works in practice. While our look is evolving, our mission remains the same: to foster lasting, meaningful change for the students and families we serve.
We’ll walk you through what’s changing—and why.
One Program, Two Phases: Venture and Traverse
Historically, Summit Achievement has been described as two programs: Achievement and Traverse. In reality, we’ve always been licensed as one program, and clinically, the two have long functioned as part of a seamless continuum of care.
Moving forward, Summit will be described as one program with two phases:
- Venture
- Traverse
This shift more accurately reflects how our model functions—as a unified whole—while still allowing flexibility. Students may participate in one phase or both, depending on their individual needs. The updated language simply brings our external messaging in line with our clinical reality.
Why the “Achievement” Phase Is Now Called Venture
For the first 15 years of our existence, Achievement was the sole phase of our program. When Traverse was introduced, the original name remained—resulting in an ongoing source of confusion: a company called Summit Achievement with a core phase also called Achievement.
Renaming this phase to Venture resolves that confusion and better symbolizes the courageous first steps students take as they begin their therapeutic journey. Venture reflects exploration, risk-taking, and forward movement—key elements of meaningful change.
From Levels to Stages: A Language Shift with Purpose
The Achievement phase previously included six levels: Base Camper, Hiker, Climber, Lead Climber, Belayer, and Expedition Leader. Summit was founded by a group of sailors and mountaineers, and our original level names reflected that adventurous spirit. However, over time, we realized that those names didn’t clearly express the therapeutic work and emotional growth that happens within each phase. While Summit has never used levels in a punitive or shame-based way, we recognize that “level systems” can carry negative connotations for many students and families. Language matters.
In the Venture phase, levels are now referred to as stages, and communicate our focus on growth, development, and progression rather than hierarchy or reward. This shift in terminology aligns more closely with the therapeutic process our students engage in.
The six stages are:
- Acceptance
- Commitment
- Accountability
- Initiative
- Empathy
- Transition
Each stage maintains the same expectations and requirements as before—the change is about clarity, alignment, and therapeutic integrity. By naming the stages after their clinical themes, we’re intentionally keeping students, families, and staff focused on the inner work that drives real change. These themes have always guided our program—now they’re front and center.
Updates to the Traverse Phase
Traverse previously included two phases: Orientation and Action. In practice, students spend a minimum of four weeks actively applying the skills they learned in Venture—demonstrating growth rather than simply orienting.
To better reflect this reality, Traverse will now include two stages:
- Action
- Maintenance
This language aligns with the Transtheoretical Model of Change, which informs much of our clinical work. In this model, growth progresses from insight to action to sustained change. The updated terminology highlights that Traverse is about practicing new behaviors and maintaining progress over time.
Let’s Sum It All Up!
Summit Achievement is launching a redesigned website, new logo, and updated language to better reflect our therapeutic approach and reduce confusion.
Key Programmatic Changes
- Structure: Summit Achievement is one program with two phases—Venture and
- Venture (formerly Achievement):
- Levels are now Stages.
- Stage names reflect clinical themes: Acceptance, Commitment, Accountability, Initiative, Empathy, and Transition.
- Traverse:
- Stages are now Action and Maintenance.
- Language aligns with the Transtheoretical Model of Change.
The Why
The goal is clarity. By streamlining our language and structure, we aim to more accurately reflect Summit as a cohesive therapeutic journey—one rooted in growth, development, and lasting change.
We’re grateful to walk this path alongside you and look forward to continuing this work together.
If your teenager is struggling with their mental health or difficulty within the family system, and you are considering treatment options, perhaps Summit Achievement could be right for your family. Reach out to Admissions today.