Robert Pfeifer, MSW

A pioneer in the field of young adult specific treatment 
Robert Pfeifer is a pioneer in the field of young adult specific treatment.  Starting in 1988, he was a founding member and director of numerous clinical programs for the first west coast division of Covenant House International, the nations’ largest adolescent and young adult service provider. Covenant House California provides intensive residential and stabilization treatment to 18-24 year olds, through their crisis shelter and transitional programs in Hollywood, California.  It was during this time that he returned to California State University at Long Beach to obtain his Masters Degree in Social Work.  His thesis on “HIV rates among Homeless Youth in Hollywood” was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (the official journal of the Society for Adolescent Medicine), which has been the pre-eminent authoritative peer-reviewed journal in the field of adolescent health for over 20 years.

Understands the integral role of education and treatment
Aside from his own rigorous college background, Robert’s foray into the field of education-based therapeutic and emotional growth programs began during his work with the CEDU Family of Services which provided residential programs to adolescents and young adults through their programs in Idaho, California and Vermont.  Over 40 years ago, CEDU founded the emotional growth and therapeutic boarding school movement which introduces core academics and a school-like environment into the treatment setting.  Through his role as Director of Business Development, Robert worked first hand with all levels of the CEDU Operation.  Additionally, with his social work background, he provided family support groups, interventions and ongoing individual and family support to parents of the young men and women enrolled or considering admission into the CEDU System.  All this provided an in-depth understanding of the integration of education and treatment. 

The essential nature of chemical dependency treatment
Robert’s success in the growing therapeutic boarding school industry led him to go out on his own in 2000,  He began assisting numerous programs and professionals in the development of their enterprises.  During this time, he encountered Gatehouse, a vision of Ted and Gale Earl, in Wickenburg, Arizona.  Robert is most well-known for bringing Gatehouse into fruition and to the attention of the national and international markets.  At the time he met Gale and Ted, they had a census of six residents with an average age of 35 years old and a wonderful understanding of chemical dependency treatment for adults.  After three years as CEO, Robert had grown the program close to 100 beds and ensured that the population was specifically young adults.

Introducing Sober College - the nation’s first therapeutic and emotional growth college for young adults in need of or wanting a sober environment to pursue their life’s goals. 

For Robert Pfeifer, Sober College is the culmination of over 18 years of work with young adults in the field of education and chemical dependency treatment. In his words, 

“Sober College departs from the traditional treatment and collegiate models that are available to young adults today.  Several colleges have sober dorms that are attached to traditional college campuses.  Several treatment modalities have young adult offerings that are not focused on education as a primary means of delivery treatment content.  Sober College is a college that is entirely dedicated to young adults in need of treatment or young adults that are in need of a sober environment.  Sober College brings a recovery-centric curriculum that immerses young adults in treatment-related activities central to their recovery, yet allows them to pursue educational and vocational goals. By introducing Sober College, we have set the new standard for both education and treatment for young adults.”