Teens that are troubled or are exhibiting damaging behavior are at risk for impacting their healthy development. Although defiant and experimental behavior is not uncommon during the adolescent years, if your child is resistant to your rehabilitative efforts, you may need additional help in the form of outside intervention. Full time teen help facilities like residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools are often a valuable resource for parents of troubled teens. These intensive healing programs allow kids to work on their personal challenges and issues in a supportive environment, away from the distractions and temptations of their home and social lives. Specializing in issues like defiance, anger, depression, substance abuse and some mental disorders, teen help facilities are run by staff trained in adolescent psychology.

Because placing your teen in a full time facility is a significant emotional and financial investment, choosing the right one can seem intimidating. It is important to note that not all programs are created equal and you must do some research to make sure that you select the one that will be a safe and effective environment for your teen. While most available programs offer some combination of therapy solutions, including individual, group and family, some also provide additional opportunities like outdoor recreational therapy, life skills coaching or academic assistance. Some of the factors you should consider as you research your options include:

• Safety – Each state has different laws and requirements regarding their teen rehab programs. Don’t be afraid to look at out of state options if your state doesn’t have high enough safety standards. Remember that the location of a potential program is less important than making sure you have found a good match for your son. .
• Experience – Like safety regulations, each state has its own requirements for accreditation and experience. Familiarize yourself with your state laws as well as those in other states that you are considering, so you know what to look for in a program.
• Individual Attention – The most effective programs will individualize a plan of care for your teen. A consistent amount of one-on-one coaching and guidance is necessary in order for staff to update your teen’s personal goals as he works his way through the program. In addition, regular individual attention also helps teens build trust and create a more solid foundation for future relationship with caregivers and authority figures.
• Therapy Program – A variety of therapy and modality options are more likely to reach your child on a personal level. Look for a program that will work to help your teen create changes from the inside out by identifying the factors that lead to the behavior in the first place. Programs that only treat the symptoms are not an effective long term solution.
• Parental Involvement – A good program will value your parental input and see you as a part of the healing process as well as the most valuable resource for your teen when he returns home. Although some programs require some initial distance between parent and child as they encourage him to trust his new surroundings, you should be kept regularly apprised of his development at least. Many facilities also incorporate transitional care and support for the whole family in order to help your teen adjust to life at home.

For more information, visit us at Help Your Teen Now.