By the time you have reached the point with your troubled teen that you are looking into boot camps, you have likely tried every outpatient option available to help him turn his life around. While Many parents look first at boot camps or other pseudo-military options because of the rigid structure and strict rules, these types of programs sometimes do more harm than good. Aside from the fact that many throughout the country have actually been deemed unsafe and ineffective, teens with behavioral issues need supportive therapy in addition to structure and consistency. Another option you can consider is a full time residential program like a therapeutic boarding school. These facilities are designed to house, monitor and help troubled teen boys and girls target their issues and learn more effective coping skills and decision making. In a guided environment, each teen is able to overcome his challenges among professionals trained in adolescent psychology, away from the triggers and temptations he faces at home. Boot camp style programs will only teach your teen how to suppress the symptoms of the deeper problem.

What Will A Therapeutic Boarding School Do For My Troubled Boy?

There are a variety of full time therapeutic solutions throughout the country that you could consider for your troubled boy, and most of them provide some combination of various therapy modalities, life skills opportunities and academics. Each one offers different additional benefits and it is up to you to determine which one is most likely to best fit your son’s needs. After verifying safety and experience in a potential therapeutic boarding school, you should also look for a program where teens are coached by therapists and counselors to develop the tools they need to develop into contributing and mature individuals. Some of the skills and goals you can expect a full time program to encourage in your son are:

• Communication Skills – Students work on positive interaction, personal boundaries and healthy communication skills through team based activities and group therapy experiences.
• Healthy Coping Skills – Troubled teens often need help identifying their emotional triggers and practicing healthier reactions to daily challenges.
• Self-Esteem – Negative behavior choices often stem from poor self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Full time programs offer a variety of therapy modalities, such as recreation, music and culinary in addition to the more traditional forms. These experiences help each boy develop new skills and identify his strengths.
• Academics – Many programs provide an academic program in addition to their therapy curriculum so that students can keep up with their class at home or receive extra help in areas where they struggle. Make sure that any programs you are considering offer a nationally accredited program so your son can transfer any credits that he earns.

Sundance Canyon Academy is a therapeutic boarding school located in northern Utah. We specialize in helping troubled teen boys overcome their issues through a relationship based therapy program that encourages them to heal from the inside out for better and more permanent results. For questions about our program, or a consultation, please call us at 1-866-678-2425.