What does it really take to treat adolescent addiction? And does it look different for boys versus girls? In this episode of Conversations with Cumberland Heights, we sit down with the clinical leaders of both of Cumberland Heights’ adolescent programs to find out.

William Branson, Clinical Director of ARCH Harpeth, and Sherry Vautier, Clinical Coordinator of ARCH Ridgeview, bring a combined 22+ years of experience treating teens struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Together, they pull back the curtain on what adolescent addiction treatment actually looks like on the ground — and why it’s more nuanced than most people expect.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The key differences between ARCH Harpeth and ARCH Ridgeview — from how boys and girls express emotion to how staff set and maintain boundaries

• How the admissions process works and what makes a teen a good fit (or not) for a program like ARCH Harpeth or ARCH Ridgeview

• Why assessment is especially complex for adolescents: many kids arrive with diagnoses made during active addiction, making an accurate clinical picture a challenge

• Treatment goals beyond sobriety — including identity development, coping skills, and the 12 Steps applied to life, not just substances

• What recovery looks like after discharge — the common pitfalls families face when teens return home and why sticking to the aftercare plan matters most

• How moving to dedicated campuses transformed both programs — expanding length of stay, individualized pacing, and clinical depth

• What they look for when hiring adolescent therapists: passion, flexibility, and the ability to “not take yourself too seriously”

• What’s next for ARCH Harpeth, ARCH Ridgeview, and Cumberland Heights’ growing outpatient services in Nashville and Memphis

Whether you’re a parent searching for answers, a clinician working in adolescent care, or simply someone who wants to understand this often-overlooked corner of addiction treatment — this episode is essential listening.

About Our Guests:

William Branson is the Clinical Director of ARCH Harpeth at Cumberland Heights in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. ARCH Harpeth is a residential addiction treatment program serving adolescent boys ages 13–17 struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. With nine years of experience in adolescent treatment, William has grown alongside the program through its evolution from a shared campus to a fully dedicated residential facility. He is passionate about individualized, progress-based care and building teams that bring complementary strengths to every resident they serve.

Sherry Vautier is the Clinical Coordinator of ARCH Ridgeview at Cumberland Heights in Pegram, Tennessee. ARCH Ridgeview is a residential addiction treatment program serving adolescent girls, and one of the few dedicated gender-specific programs of its kind in the Southeast. A 13-year veteran of Cumberland Heights, Sherry has held nearly every role on campus — starting in the kitchen and working her way through direct care, family counseling, and clinical coordination while earning her counseling degree along the way. She launched ARCH Ridgeview in April 2023. As a mother of three daughters and a clinician with deep roots in family systems work, Sherry brings a uniquely personal and professional perspective to gender-responsive adolescent addiction treatment.

Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit addiction treatment organization based in Nashville, Tennessee, serving adults and adolescents since 1966. The ARCH adolescent programs include ARCH Harpeth (boys), ARCH Ridgeview (girls), intensive outpatient programming (IOP), and telehealth services statewide.

Learn more: cumberlandheights.org