Helps for troubled teens
This is just a brief description of what is available to you, so if you would like
detailed information on what your options are please give us a call. There are many
different choices for you to make. Programs are like shoes, one size doesn't fit
everyone. Let us help determine which program will best fit your child.
Behavior Modification Schools
Designed to help children with behavior problems
Boot Camp Type Schools
Juvenile boot camps, teen boot camps, and boot camps for troubled teens are
all terms associated with a Military setting - uniforms, structure and
discipline
Boarding school for troubled teen, School for troubled teen, School
for problem teen, School for troubled youth
Some boarding schools are also referred to as behavior modification school,
boot camps, or specialty schools.
Home for troubled teen, Group home for troubled teen
Some states offer placement for troubled teens with foster families if
biological parents relinquish custody of the child
Drug treatment program, Substance abuse treatment
program
In addition to the other types of programs and placement options discussed
on this site, there are other options. One such option is a drug treatment
program, or specifically a teen drug treatment program. There are usually
local options for you to consider, as well as choices a little further away
from home. One source available in many states is Teen Anon. This type of
help may be beneficial if you are dealing with a compliant willing teen. If
they are still in denial that they have a problem, for the most part this
option may prove to be a waste of time."
Troubled Youth Program
Troubled youth programs, troubled teen programs, and defiant teen programs
are all basically the same. These types of placements are for children that
have been expelled from school; they may be experiencing minor legal
troubles, minor substance abuse, and a myriad of other problems. The intent
and hope is that here is something for a child who seems to be slipping
through the cracks. The school system has only limited resources to help
with a defiant teen. The legal system is usually a "too little too late"
type of option with placement in the juvenile system the only recourse. A
borderline adolescent put in this system will usually not fair very well.
The end result is a child that comes home with disturbing new friends and
better drug connections than they had when they left home. It is the goal of
most parents to keep their child away from this, rather than hurl them into
the midst of it.
Residential Treatment Centers
Residential treatment centers vary in what they offer. Many are geared to
help youth and adults with some kind of a psychiatric problem or substance
abuse issue. They can be broken down into 4 categories:
Residential Treatment Program
Help with suicidal, psychiatric, and substance abuse problems
Residential Drug Treatment Center
Specific help for substance abuse dependency, or addiction
Residential Treatment For Troubled Teen
Combination of the two categories above coupled with a structured daily
schedule
Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Residential placement for teen in need of therapy and counseling
In seeking help for a defiant teen you will need to check with the facility you are looking into to see if they are set up to deal with defiant patients. The cost for placement in a clinical setting is more than if you were to place your child in a behavior modification program to deal with their defiant behavior. If the adolescent is reluctant to work with a counselor or therapist at home they will usually not be willing to talk to one in a residential setting either. There are advantages to paying the extra fee for a therapeutic placement for a troubled teen. If the teen should reach a point where they are start to open up and want to talk about issues that me be at the core of their negative behavior they will have someone trained to help them.
If a child has suicidal tendencies a therapeutic setting is definitely encouraged. Many teens will talk about suicide the difficulty in placing them is to determine if they would be capable of causing harm to themselves. If an adolescent has made a serious attempt, or is diagnosed suicidal you will definitely want that child placed in a psychiatric facility or a competent residential treatment facility. This will assure that if they are suicidal they will be monitored closely. If the teen is simply using suicide as a "hot button" to get out of a difficult situation they are in. Or if they are using it to manipulate parents a behavior modification placement may be appropriate. The best way to be sure if your teen may be in danger is to have them evaluated by a psychiatric professional.
It is not the intent of this site to provide psychiatric counseling or replace help that may be obtained from a qualified Dr. Our comments and text comes from our experience in helping place teens in various types of programs and schools.
Don't Give Up - There is Hope
We are available to help you find the most appropriate placement for
your child. We have many schools to choose from. We also have a financial department to
help you research what financial options may work best for you. If your child has just
started down the path of negative behavior of if he has been on the wrong course for a
long time we can help. Our programs boast in the neighborhood of 85% success rate at
helping trouble youth get turned around. Don't hesitate if you life is miserable trying
to decide what to do give us a call, you are not alone.
Let us help you
This site is designed to help you differentiate between all of the types of boarding
school options available to parents with a child who is not fitting into a regular
school setting. We will help to give you the tools necessary to identify indicators in
your child's behavior that may lead to serious school problems. The different types of
schools available to students with such behavior problems will also be outlined for you.
We will also try to help you understand some of the terminology and medical terms being
tossed around at school and from your family doctor.