Your teen is constantly butting heads with you, and you aren’t sure what to do. While nearly all adolescents deal with normal issues of mild rebellion and arguing with parents, how do you know when they have stepped over the limits and gone too far? Experts generally agree that rebellion exceeds appropriate boundaries when teens begin to wander into illegal or dangerous behaviors, such as speeding, self-harm, violence toward others, drinking, using drugs, criminal activity and similar behavior. However, you can use a behavior modification program to help your troubled teen.

Juvenile Detention Program in Michigan

For example, the Washtenaw County Juvenile Detention in Michigan has adopted a program using behavior modification techniques behavior modification techniques in order to help teens change their behaviors. Program goals include pro-social behaviors directed toward intentional goals. Teens take the time to analyze their thought processes step-by-step, using the following order:

1. Overview of the situation

2. Review thoughts

3. Assess feelings

4. Think about behaviors and

5. Determine the consequences.

When they make a poor choice, they use a thinking report to review what they could have done differently.

Other Ways that Behavior Modification Can Help Your Teen

In addition to an example of a behavior medication program that helps your teen, this therapy can address the following issues:

1. Open hostility toward you – Overnight, your teen has morphed from a sweet-dispositioned child who hangs on your every word to an unknown person who mocks you and rolls his or her eyes. Although her behavior is fairly normal, it’s admittedly hurtful. Behavior modification helps teens regain their respect for you as a parent. You can help by continuing to accept him or her, setting firm boundaries regarding acceptable treatment and patiently waiting out this difficult period.

2. Testing limits – You have set a weekend curfew of midnight; it’s nearly 1 a.m. with no sign of your child. Behavior modification helps him or her follow curfews. For example, while you might give your child a few minutes as a grace period, establish and enforce consequences if he or she comes home any later than that.

3. Negative influences – While your son or daughter has picked up some questionable hygiene and behavioral habits, his or her friends seem even worse. In some cases, you should just let the behavior slide, especially if it’s not illegal or dangerous. In other cases, you might need to intervene and seek professional help. Address the specific behaviors, such as skipping school, and related risks, such as failing class.

4. Teen drama – While both boys and girls engage in excessive theatrics, the problem seems to hit girls harder. Intense emotions are part of the process of transition from a child to an adult. Agree to listen to her problems once she calms down, and don’t minimize her concerns. Work toward solutions with her to help her feel in control of her decisions.