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For the parents of troubled teens

Stick's picture

I found this and wanted to share... for anyone at their true wits end for kids / skids that may be into more trouble than they can handle.

I just wanted to post this. I don't know how much it costs, or if anyone is interested.. But I am posting it here for any Step parent or parent who may need the info...

http://www.natsap.org/
http://www.militaryschoolalternatives.com/troubled-teen-schools.html
http://www.sunhawkrecovery.com/

Emotional growth or therapeutic boarding schools. These are intense programs, often with superior academics, designed to turn around a troubled teen's life, usually in less than two years. On a 24-hour basis, teens live with therapists who teach them better ways to cope without drugs or alcohol and to manage their anger and defiance. Residents study in small classes with teachers who have advanced degrees and work with them one-on-one so that each student can succeed and develop a love of learning. A good school will do a complete diagnostic work-up on each new student to uncover his psychological and educational needs. The best schools involve the student's family from the start, and have an intense follow-up program so that the student successfully transitions from the therapeutic school to a regular school at home. Finally, a good school will be able to provide you with a record of their successes and references from satisfied parents.

Residential Treatment Centers/Schools. Just a few decades ago, insurance companies would pay for inpatient treatment of mentally ill adolescents in local hospitals. Today, the trend is to keep inpatient care to a minimum of a few weeks or even days, even though many patients would benefit from longer stays. Residential treatment centers can offer intense treatment for teens suffering from bipolar disorder, anorexia, clinical depression, and other serious problems in a setting that is more homelike than a hospital. These centers should have a therapeutic staff with licensed psychological counselors and a full-time psychiatrist. They should provide art, music, drama, equine, and other forms of therapy, along with individual and group counseling sessions. Academics should be superior, with teachers working with psychologists so that each student can achieve his potential. These centers are expensive, but often can achieve lasting results in less than two years.

Comments

Selkie's picture

Thanks for posting this, Stick. The problem we're finding is that ANY treatment has to be voluntary; the kid has to agree to it. Given her current state of mind, I doubt she'd agree. I'll look into it anyway. Thanks again.

Stick's picture

I was hoping you would see this Selkie. Since your daughter is running away, but seemed to enjoy the home schooling and the non-traditional environment, I was wondering if that would be a selling point for her. She would be away from home, and possibly in a program that could be art - related.

Like you said, I don't know if she will agree... but they may even have some tips on how to help you convince your daughter to go there. And it looks like they have financial aid and insurance assistance, etc.

I just am hoping for you both...

*** A rainbow just threw up on me... and now I'm sh*tting glitter! ***

camille101's picture

It has been very difficult to handle troubled teens to most parents. Parents seeks help that will assist them to overcome their dilemma with their troubled teens. Let us consider residential treatment centers for our troubled teens. I'm one of a product of a residential treatment program, in which they give me the right treatment and therapy to overcome my addiction. They show the love and care that most of us troubled teens are looking for and now I'm already one of their staff in their facility to take care of troubled teens.

Camille Jude
Residential Treatment

Sarah101's picture

Just beware the price tag. My DH took out loans totaling $100,000 for about one year of residential treatment for his out-of-control drug-addicted teen daughter a few years ago. His monthly payments are about $1,000 for the next 15-20 years, unless he pays down the loans more quickly. That's a LOT of money!

And his daughter? She came home from the treatment center and right back to her drug dealer boyfriend and cocaine. Within one year she was homeless and now she is unmarried and pregnant at 19. Every month DH regrets the loans he took out for her treatment program. I don't blame the treatment center--those people were fantastic! DH's daughter was just a lost cause.

Make sure that you ask about the center's "success" rate when interviewing, and be crystal-clear about the price tag.