MADISON, Wis. -- For years, runaway teens struggling to reconnect with their families have found hope at Briarpatch.

The group is now serving its 10,000 client, organizers said.

"I came here when I was 17 and going through a difficult time," said Katherine Murray.

Murray said she doesn't look anything like a runaway high school student, but years ago, teenage troubles left her feeling trapped.

"I was going through a little bit of drug use, just part of my rebellion," said Murray. "I was having a lot of issues with my father at the time."

Murray sought help at Briarpatch. Under the umbrella of Youth Services of Wisconsin, Briarpatch helps work through those very struggles.

"A lot of times, it's just people have reached a point of frustration that they realize they're stuck and they need some help," said Ann Bohlman.

For nearly 40 years, the organization has trained volunteer counselors like Lucas Moore to get teens talking to help resolve conflicts at home.

"I think the fact that we are closer to their age makes them feel a lot more comfortable because they're not talking to a parent type figure," said Moore.

Moore said he first worked with Briarpatch as a college student, but continued volunteering because of the healing he was able to witness firsthand.

"One person in particular is never at fault, so we kind of look at it with a family system's approach, and try to resolve it from all angles instead of just one," said Moore

Focusing on the whole family is what made the program successful for Murray.

"I really felt like they were on my side," she said. "They were just there to listen and understand, they weren't the enemy, they weren't angry with me."

Murray's experience with Briarpatch influenced her to study marriage and family therapy as a graduate student. She volunteers as a Briarpatch counselor to make the same difference someone once did for her.

Briarpatch officials said that when issues take more time to resolve, the organization uses host homes to give teens a safe place to stay away from home.

All host homes are licensed foster homes.