Crossing The Quality Chasm In The Troubled Teen Industry

Crossing The Quality Chasm In The Troubled Teen Industry

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.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

4 Jan, 2016

Recent Posts

7 Ways to Plan Healthy Meals With Teens

7 Ways to Plan Healthy Meals With Teens

We all know the importance of good nutrition. As parents, we know how important it is to provide our children and teens with a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Reality might be a bit different. Children and teens are not always...

What Do You Do With Teens Who Don’t Care About School?

What Do You Do With Teens Who Don’t Care About School?

Many of us may have had days where we didn’t want to go with school or deal with a project for science class. We still went to school, attended classes, and eventually caught up on assignments. If your teen doesn’t care about school at all, refuses to attend classes,...

Tips to Help Teens With Sensory Issues

Tips to Help Teens With Sensory Issues

Sensory issues are often misunderstood and not always diagnosed early in childhood. Whether your teen has just received a diagnosis, or it is something that you’ve been aware of for some time, there are several ways that you can help to make his life less of a...

Why Do Teens Run Away From Home?

Why Do Teens Run Away From Home?

It’s a situation that can break your heart and fill you with so much fear. Your teen has run away from home. Perhaps this is the first time, or maybe it’s something you’ve experienced on more than one occasion. Your teen running away from home can leave you with so...

Types of Psychotherapy Used at Troubled Teen Centers

Types of Psychotherapy Used at Troubled Teen Centers

Finding suitable treatment options for your troubled teen is crucial to ensuring he has the best opportunities to recover. At Help Your Teen Now, your teen will have access to several therapy types that can offer him the help that he can best benefit from. Knowing...

Treatments for Paranoid Personality Disorder

Treatments for Paranoid Personality Disorder

A diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder in your teen can be worrisome and even a bit overwhelming. Understanding just what this disorder is and how it can be best treated can help remove some of the mystery and fear surrounding the diagnosis. If your teen has...

You May Also Like…

How to Apologize to Your Teen

How to Apologize to Your Teen

Do you admit it when you’ve made a mistake or lost your temper? Apologizing is not always the easiest thing in the...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *