One big question parents want to know is, what is the goal of therapeutic boarding schools and why is it any different than getting help at home?

When you place your teenager into a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center, these environments provide intense help for students with emotional and behavioral problems. When they are struggling with emotional issues, it also impacts their schooling and especially their grade. Their ability to focus as severly diminished.

In most cases, the family has already exhausted their local resources — their teen has not responded to outpatient treatment, the school setting is not working, a short-term hospital stay was unsuccessful, and it is now time to consider residential treatment.

Do any of these sound familar:

-Is your teen doing drugs? Vaping?
-Are they depressed, withdrawn?
–Addicted to their cell-phone, video gaming?
-Are they self-harming, suicide ideation?
-Smart, but failing in school?
-Skipping classes, school refusal?
-Suspended or facing expulsion?
-Changed friends, negative peer group?
–Loss of interest in activities or hobbies?
-Explosive, destructive? (Especially when you remove their devices)
–Stealing, legal issues?
-Angry, rage, violent?
-Struggling with ADHD, RAD, Bipolar?

If you’re experiencing several of these characteristics and your teen is refusing to get help, it’s likely you’re home has become extremely hostile.

Once you locate a quality residential treatment program, your teenager will temporarily live outside of their home and in a facility (therapeutic boarding school) where they can be supervised and monitored by trained staff.

5 Goals of Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Teens

1. Evaluation.  Your teen (once removed from their home environment and peer influences) will likely have a comprehensive evaluation to assess emotional, behavioral, medical, and social needs, and support these needs accordingly and safely.

2. Treatment plan. Determining the right residential treatment program for your teen includes finding one that can meet his/her individual needs. Residential programs will design an individualized treatment plan that puts into place interventions that help your teen attain their goals.

3. Therapy. When your child was at home, it is likely he/she either refused to attend counseling, maybe manipulated the therapist, or possibly simply didn’t engage with them. While in residential treatment, your child will be attending both individual and group therapy to help them through their healing process.

Now that your teen is in a therapeutic setting, it is more difficult for them to keep up their walls. These therapists are trained to work with youth that are difficult to breakthrough.

4. Family involvement “peacefully”. Well-rounded residential programs encourage and provide opportunities for family therapy and contact through on-site visits, home passes (when the time comes), telephone calls and other modes of communication. Trained staff is always available to help navigate issues of concern for both the parents and when/if the teenager gets upset from meetings or letters.

Most residential treatment programs and therapeutic boarding schools also offer parenting and family workshops. These can be extremely beneficial in making the transition back home.

5. Builds self-worth. Residential treatment programs not only offer clinical teams to help your teen emotionally, most provide additional behavioral therapy through enrichment programs. These are designed to help your teen develop coping skills as well as building self-esteem to make better choices in life.

Examples of enrichment programs that therapeutic boarding schools offer:

–Art Therapy
–Animal Assisted Therapy
–Sports Therapy
–Horticultural (Gardening) Therapy
–Music Therapy

Emotional growth is the primary goal for therapeutic schools; however, they incorporate your teen’s academics to be sure they are kept on track — and in some situations, they will exceed their pace since they are now feeling more confident and focused. It is a win-win in all areas of their life.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

 What Is the Success Rate of Therapeutic Boarding Schools?

Where to Send My Troubled Teen

The post How the Goals of Therapeutic Schools Help Your Teen first appeared on Help Your Teens.

A simple online search of “therapeutic boarding schools“ yields over 3 million results! Since 2001 we’ve been helping parents navigate this troubled teen industry and find safe and qualified therapeutic boarding schools for teens struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, cell-phone addiction, suicide ideation and more. We are now facing a mental health crisis with adolescents — this is beyond typical teenage behavior.

Choosing the best therapeutic boarding school for your teenager shouldn’t not be based on location, it should be in accordance to your child’s emotional needs and what the school offers.

Most parents search for therapeutic boarding schools close to home, without realizing that it may not be the best fit for their teen’s needs — if especially if their child is a flight risk, it causing them to constantly be tempted to elope from the program rather than focus on recovery and healing.

Where are the best therapeutic boarding schools for my teenager?

We have educated parents since 2001 about using the A.C.E. factor to determine the best therapeutic boarding school for their child. This is not about location, as it is about what is going to be most beneficial for their emotional and academic needs.

A.  Accredited academics.  Whatever school/program you are interviewing, be sure they are accredited academically. Many of these teens entering these programs are typically very smart students yet underachieving in school. It’s important they continue their education. Although we share with parents that their emotional growth is priority in these schools, academics is still important. You can ask to see a copy of their accreditation.

C. Credentialed clinical team.  Teenage mental health is a priority. Placing a distressed young teenager into a therapeutic boarding school is hard for the entire family, although therapy typically didn’t work at home, when placed into a new environment, removed from the stressors and triggers of home (as well as peer influences and devices) — the student is able to focus on themselves through both individual and group therapy. Check the credentials of the clinical team, this is also imperative if you are using your insurance. If they are not credentialed, insurance likely won’t cover it.

E. Enrichment programs. These programs are so important to help troubled teens. Enrichment programs are designed to stimulate your child in a positive direction, build self-worth to make better choices and develop coping skills. All of these extra behavior therapy programs can help teens that struggle with anger, rage, depression, anxiety and stress.

Examples of enrichment programs:

–Art Therapy
–Animal Assisted Therapy
–Sports Therapy
–Horticultural (Gardening) Therapy
–Music Therapy

Finally, when you did your online search you may have stumbled on sites and reviews that gave you pause. You thought you found a program — until you read some troubling reviews or fearmongering websites about the troubled teen industry. Take a moment to learn how to analyze the troubled teen industry negative reviews. 

There are safe therapeutic boarding schools to help your troubled teen. Don’t allow a few bad apples to prevent your teen from getting the help they need.

Also read:

How to Interview Schools and Programs

How to Interview Parent References

What Happens When Your Teen Graduates a Therapeutic Program

The post Where Are the Best Therapeutic Boarding Schools? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

One online search for “schools for troubled teens” will yield you over 5 million results. Are therapeutic boarding schools effective for your troubled teen and how do you know which ones are safe?

There are literally thousands of places to send troubled teens, but finding the one that is successful for your teen takes time, research and diligence.

What does your teen and family require:

-Quality care (safe and positive environment), credentialed staff
-Education, accredited academics
-Enrichment programs, extra-curriculum designed to encourage change
-Parent involvement, workshops and family therapy

Successful therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens can be a safe haven where teens can learn to cope with difficult emotions and behaviors; away from the influences of devices as well as negative peers.

Is your teen:

–Addicted to their cell-phone, video gaming?
-Defiant, rage, or explosive (especially if you remove their devices)?
-Failing in school, yet capable of passing? Skipping classes or school refusal?
-Entitled, disrespectful, nasty attitude – more than typical teenage behavior?
–Vaping, smoking marijuana, using drugs or drinking?
-Stealing, shoplifting or other legal issues?

You’re not alone and these are some of the reasons why parents have reached out for help for troubled teens — it’s after they have tried therapy at home, outpatient treatment has failed, the school setting is not working and a short hospital stay was not successful.

3 Reasons Why Schools for Troubled Teens Can Be Successful

Not all therapeutic boarding schools are designed the same or are equal, it is why we encourage parents to do their diligence in selecting what school/program is the right boarding school for their individual needs. As with all businesses, there will always be a few bad apples.

1. Fresh start.

There’s no doubt, the first few weeks, if not your first month of a therapeutic boarding school might be bumpy, but your teenager will soon realize they are now being given an opportunity for a fresh start. 

No one enjoys feeling defiant, angry, and even full of rage — many of these teens not only had these feelings, but some were also destructive at home. Most of these young people enter the program extremely upset that their parents have removed them from what they believed was their comfort zone such as their so-called friends and of course, their devices (cellphone and/or video-gaming).

By starting fresh they can remove the masks of the emotional baggage they have been carrying and start tearing down the walls of hurt while in a safe place of non-judgement. This is why therapeutic boarding schools can be more beneficial than the one-hour once a week therapy sessions at-home.

Your teen is now in an environment that is designed to encourage change through a consistent, safe, and positive atmosphere. This replaces the toxic headspace your teen has likely been in for the past year. Constantly checking their text messages, feeling pressured by their peers, scrolling their social feeds, always comparing themselves to others online — feeling inadequate. 

Many parents are worried their teen will meet up with kids that are worse than their own teen. It is important to understand, there are many families walking this journey with you. If you are doing your diligence in finding the right therapeutic boarding school for your teenager, it’s likely you will find similar students — and your son or daughter will soon be surrounded with a positive peer culture that will only help influence them as they move through the program.

2. Develop self-worth.

Why is my good teen making these bad choices? It is usually because they don’t think highly of themselves and are easily influenced by their peers — or a negative peer group.

A successful therapeutic boarding school removes your teen from the stressors and triggers of home and school pressure and replaces it with activities and treatment such enrichment programs that build self-worth. This can include art therapy, sports, music therapy, gardening, animal therapy and more.

Academically, a therapeutic boarding school that is effective, can provide your teen with the support they need to thrive! Most students arriving in residential treatment can do their schoolwork however due to their behavioral issues, have been failing or underachieving. By getting their grades back in place, this is yet another direction to building back their self-confidence.

When you have self-worth and feel good about yourself, you are less likely to make bad choices and are not easily influenced by your peers. Schools for troubled teens that are successful provide the environment to help your teen feel good about themselves — through emotional growth, clinical support (both individual and group therapy), and positive role models with their staff.

3. Family reunification. 

Bringing families back together, that is the goal of a successful troubled teen school — in healthy and happy setting. Although there will likely never be perfection (life isn’t perfect), you and your teen will learn the skills needed to have a much calmer and productive household.

A successful troubled teen school doesn’t only affect your teenager, but it also effects the entire family.  This includes siblings and if there are stepparents involved, it is everyone.

Family therapy is ongoing throughout your child’s stay at the school, and typically the parents will have counseling with and without their teen. In most of the therapeutic boarding schools they offer parenting workshops to give you skills and techniques to provide you with tools for effective parenting — understanding that whatever was happening before your teen entered the program wasn’t working. Especially as the program progresses to the transitional phrase of home visits, you and your teen will have time to discuss what is expected from both sides, respectfully.

Through treatment and transition, with the guidance of professionals, parents and their teen can achieve peace and confidence through rebuilding their relationship with the help of an effective therapeutic boarding school.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Where to Send Your Troubled Teens

What Causes Teen Mental Health Issues

The post How Are Schools for Troubled Teens Successful? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

One big question we always are asked: “How do you decide if we need a therapeutic boarding school or a residential treatment center?“

1. What is the difference between a therapeutic boarding school (TBS) and residential treatment center (RTC) and what does my teen need?

The short answer is it depends on the state and how the state licenses residential programming.  There is no national standard and each of our fifty states have the responsibility to set their own licensure requirements for private-pay residential programming; many states divide up the enforcement between numerous governmental departments and some states do not even regulate private-pay residential care.

The scope and specifics of state regulations vary greatly, and some states do not require independent licensure at all.  Therefore, parents must do their diligence when researching residential placement – knowing that the program does have state licensing is important.

What these programs all have in common is that they are all addressing physical, emotional, behavioral, familial, social, and intellectual/academic development; it is how that is addressed which differentiates between the TBS or RTC.

RTC’s typically have more clinical care than a TBS, however we have also seen emotional growth programs that have a strong clinical foundation. We suggest you interview the program/school that you believe best fits your teen’s emotional needs, which includes their enrichment therapies such as animal, art, music therapy and more. It is important to find a setting that will stimulate your child in a positive direction.

More Tips to Untangle the Troubled Teen Industry Terminology

2. “My teen needs a Military school to teach them a lesson!” WRONG.

Military schools are a privilege and honor to attend, they are not for defiant, drug-using, depressed, or other behavioral issues students.

They do not provide mental health services – and if your teen is using drugs, drinking, or vaping now – by attending an open campus, it is likely s/he will consider the use again.

However, this time when he is caught (typically three strike you are out) and the parents will forfeit their tuition. This is the same for any of the behavioral issues they are asked to leave or expelled for – you will be risking your tuition as well as setting your child up for failure.

3. “My teen needs a wilderness program to appreciate what they have at home.” WRONG.

Wilderness programs are short-term programs will typically short-term results. It usually did not take 4-6 weeks to get to where you are right now, it will not take 4-6 (or 9 for that matter) to turn it around or have long-lasting behavioral results. Parents are usually guided (or misguided) into wilderness therapy by educational consultants that understand these programs come with step two.

Step two is moving on to a therapeutic boarding school (which you could have started with). We educate parents to find step one initially so your teen has consistency without program hopping. This not only helps your teenager from bouncing to therapists, staff, and environments – it can be most cost effective to the family.

Since 2001 we have consistently heard many misconceptions about wilderness programs – and parents need to separate fact from the myths.

Myths and Facts of Wilderness Therapy:

Myth: Many parents are led to believe that most quality residential programs will not accept a teen that has not completed a wilderness program. That simply is not true. 

Myth: Any teen that is using drugs needs to do a wilderness first. This is not true.

Myth: All teens do wilderness first, if not they will not succeed. Again, not true.

Fact: Wilderness programs are not necessary to enter a many therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers.

Fact: Wilderness programs are an expensive band-aid. They will cost a family from $450-800+ per day and the duration is about 4-9 weeks. The fact is — long lasting behavioral changes cannot take place in short-term programs. Therefore, most students that attend wilderness programs transition on to a residential boarding school.

There is likely a need for wilderness therapy for some students, but to state that all teens need wilderness prior to treatment or will not be successful without it — is simply untrue.

You will stumble on programs that will tell you they won’t accept a student unless they have attended a wilderness program first — in our opinion, it likely not the program for you. Most therapeutic boarding schools or residential treatment facilities (schools for troubled teens) are trained to care for behavioral issues — it is likely they are either a transitional program or part of a bigger concern in this industry — politics (number 5).

Some programs use wilderness as a last resort, if after 90 days in a therapeutic boarding school your teen is not settling down or has become extremely defiant and aggressive – they may then refer you to this type of program. It does not need to be your first step.

4. What is CARF and JCAHO accreditations? Are they necessary in choosing residential treatment?

CARF is Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an organization that oversees programs for behavioral health. If a program/school is CARF accredited, in some cases you may have a more insurance coverage. CARF accreditation can be considered a quality standard of care.

JCAHO is The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations which is the seal of approval for hospitals, and some residential treatment centers have acquired this accreditation. JCAHO is a higher level of care, although many residential treatment centers are not JCAHO accredited, they will adhere by their standards. Being JCAHO accredited will help your insurance coverage.

More and more therapeutic programs are becoming CARF accredited not only to provide more safety and oversight for their staff and students, but to offer more reimbursement for insurance claims.

JCAHO is typically found in higher level of care facilities, although some residential treatment centers have that extra level of accreditation.

Both these accreditations are important; however, they are not necessary. For years residential treatment has been operating without them and have been successful. These are voluntary accreditations.

5. What is NATSAP and IECA seals of approval that are some programs sites? 

NATSAP is the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. This is a self-made organization that was reprimanded in a congressional hearing in 2007 for their lack of oversight of their members. Participating programs and schools pay a fee to be members to have their seal of approval on their sites.

More concerning is some parents are under the illusion that unless a program is NATSAP approved, it is not a quality program. That is simply not true. Not all schools and programs feel the need to be a member of this club, nor do they have to. Unlike CARF or JCAHO, it (NATSAP) does not offer much in benefits.

IECA are the Independent Educational Consultants of America, and their members are known as Educational Consultants that pay the fees to belong to this self-made organization. Like with NATSAP, they have their own circle of schools and programs they support and unlikely to consider those that do not want to participate (pay) to belong to private clubs.

There are many excellent schools and programs in our country today that have been around for decades that have never been involved in private organizations (clubs) and have succeeded on their reputation. It is important for parents not to be dissuaded by the politics of the troubled teen industry.

Also read:

Success in Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Finding Safe Therapeutic Schools

Goals of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How To Decide What Type of Therapeutic School Our Teen Needs first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The founder of P.U.R.E., Sue Scheff, was a major factor in the closure of these horrific programs by taking them to trial in 2004 and exposing their neglect and abuse to children, as well as fraud and deceit to the parents. She was the first one to bring this giant corporation to a jury trial and WIN.

Fortunately for parents today, we have learned so much since the closure of the WWASP (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs) which the Academy of Ivy Ridge was affiliated with. Ivy Ridge was one of nearly 22 programs that WWASP ran that not only enticed (conned) parents with their slick marketing and sales people, they also ran outrageous cult-like seminars that were designed to keep parents busy while “the program” was destroying their child emotionally — and possibly physically. The constant mantra was “trust the program.”

These programs were shut down or closed between 2000-2010, which is over two decades ago for some of them.

Teenage Mental Health

Over half of adolescents today struggle with mental health concerns — the rate of teenage depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide ideation is soaring, with many experts pointing to social media and technology addiction as part of the cause.

It is now a different world from when two decades ago, in 2009-2010 social media began taking off for young people and no one knew the ramifications it would have on their emotional lives.

The teenage mental health crisis is real and parents are at their wit’s end searching for help for their child that has become out-of-control or possibly isolated to their bedroom. Some have stopped going to school, smart – but now failing academically, glued to their screens, have zero social skills, the level of defiance is beyond typical teen behavior — as well as the rate of entitlement and lack of respect for authority.

Like it was 20 years ago, there is not a parent out there that wants to send a child to a therapeutic boarding school, however when you have exhausted all your local resources and your teen is spiraling into a very dark place, as a responsible parent — it’s time to search for help.

Qualified Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The troubled teen industry is a big business, no one will argue that. This is why parents need to be educated in teen help terminology. An online search for therapeutic boarding schools yields nearly 5 million results! A quick online search for schools for troubled teens and it’s well over 14 million choices!

There will always be bad apples in every industry, but when searching for a qualified therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center for your troubled teen, it must be done carefully and cautiously.

Do your due diligence and homework, researching, staying clear of these slick marketing arms, fancy websites and sales people (placement specialists) that tell you everything you want to hear, yet not what your child really needs — is crucial. This is a major emotional and financial decision for the entire family, you must take your time to learn more about it — choosing the right therapeutic setting can help get your teenager on the right path back to a healthy and happy life.

Teen Transport

Hearing about young people being kidnapped is downright scary — especially in a world of human trafficking. Thankfully assisted teen admissions (transport) have professionals that safely and compassionately help parents take one of the first difficult steps into their teen’s recovery.

It’s imperative to hire a licensed and insured professional to transport your teen from your home to their therapeutic boarding school — a team that has excellent references, and will stay in touch with you from start to finish.

Again, this is not an easy decision and (like two decades ago) there is not a parent today that would imagine doing this, however as you start your research you will find there are qualified professionals today — that not only have excellent references, but are still friendly with the teens they transported. YES – they are still in communication with the families and the teenagers. They form a bond with their clients — this is not kidnapping.

The Program

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping told the story that is all too similar to the founder of Parents’ Universal Resource Experts (P.U.R.E.) — and is the reason why this website was created, to help educate parents to find safe and qualified resources for their good teens making bad choices — and not to fall prey to these vultures. As a matter of fact, in episode 3 of this docuseries on Netflix, they used video depostion snippets of the founder (Robert Lichfield) and director (Ken Kay) that were obtained from the litigation between WWASP and P.U.R.E./Sue Scheff — which P.U.R.E./Scheff won.

Sue Scheff’s (founder of P.U.R.E.) daughter was at Carolina Springs Academy, which was a sister program to Ivy Ridge — “the program” featured in the docuseries. Scheff is too familiar with the abuse, neglect and harm that her daughter endured — as well as the insane cult-like seminars she had attended. Thankfully it’s decades ago and the fact that this website has helped thousands of families find safe alternatives (including her own family) makes the horrific journey worth it.

It was her lawsuit in 2004-2006 that was the slow demise of the WWASP corporation.

If you are considering therapeutic boarding school for your teenager, there are safe options in this country, don’t allow fearmongering from 10-20 years ago prevent you from getting your family help. Do your homework — you are your child’s advocate.

Also read:

How to Analzye Bad Press for Teen Help Programs

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Work When Therapy Fails

What is the Success Rate of Therapeutic Schools?

The post How to Find Help In the Troubled Teen Industry? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

5 Tips to Untangle the Troubled Teen Industry Terminology

1. “My teen needs a Military school to teach them a lesson!” WRONG.

Military schools are a privilege and honor to attend, they are not for defiant, drug-using, depressed, or other behavioral issues students.

They do not provide mental health services – and if your teen is using drugs, drinking, or vaping now – by attending an open campus, it is likely s/he will consider the use again.

However, this time when he is caught (typically three strike you are out) and the parents will forfeit their tuition. This is the same for any of the behavioral issues they are asked to leave or expelled for – you will be risking your tuition as well as setting your child up for failure.

2. “My teen needs a wilderness program to appreciate what they have at home.” WRONG.

Wilderness programs are short-term programs will typically short-term results. It usually did not take 4-6 weeks to get to where you are right now, it will not take 4-6 (or 9 for that matter) to turn it around or have long-lasting behavioral results. Parents are usually guided (or misguided) into wilderness therapy by educational consultants that understand these programs come with step two.

Step two is moving on to a therapeutic boarding school (which you could have started with). We educate parents to find step one initially so your teen has consistency without program hopping. This not only helps your teenager from bouncing to therapists, staff, and environments – it can be most cost effective to the family.

Since 2001 we have consistently heard many misconceptions about wilderness programs – and parents need to separate fact from the myths.

Myths and Facts of Wilderness Therapy:

Myth: Many parents are led to believe that most quality residential programs will not accept a teen that has not completed a wilderness program. That simply is not true. 

Myth: Any teen that is using drugs needs to do a wilderness first. This is not true.

Myth: All teens do wilderness first, if not they will not succeed. Again, not true.

Fact: Wilderness programs are not necessary to enter a many therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers.

Fact: Wilderness programs are an expensive band-aid. They will cost a family from $450-800+ per day and the duration is about 4-9 weeks. The fact is — long lasting behavioral changes cannot take place in short-term programs. Therefore, most students that attend wilderness programs transition on to a residential boarding school.

There is likely a need for wilderness therapy for some students, but to state that all teens need wilderness prior to treatment or will not be successful without it — is simply untrue.

You will stumble on programs that will tell you they won’t accept a student unless they have attended a wilderness program first — in our opinion, it likely not the program for you. Most therapeutic boarding schools or residential treatment facilities (schools for troubled teens) are trained to care for behavioral issues — it is likely they are either a transitional program or part of a bigger concern in this industry — politics (number 5).

Some programs use wilderness as a last resort, if after 90 days in a therapeutic boarding school your teen is not settling down or has become extremely defiant and aggressive – they may then refer you to this type of program. It does not need to be your first step.

3. What is the difference between a therapeutic boarding school (TBS) and residential treatment center (RTC) and what does my teen need?

The short answer is it depends on the state and how the state licenses residential programming.  There is no national standard and each of our fifty states have the responsibility to set their own licensure requirements for private-pay residential programming; many states divide up the enforcement between numerous governmental departments and some states do not even regulate private-pay residential care.

The scope and specifics of state regulations vary greatly, and some states do not require independent licensure at all.  Therefore, parents must do their diligence when researching residential placement – knowing that the program does have state licensing is important.

What these programs all have in common is that they are all addressing physical, emotional, behavioral, familial, social, and intellectual/academic development; it is how that is addressed which differentiates between the TBS or RTC.

RTC’s typically have more clinical care than a TBS, however we have also seen emotional growth programs that have a strong clinical foundation. We suggest you interview the program/school that you believe best fits your teen’s emotional needs, which includes their enrichment therapies such as animal, art, music therapy and more. It is important to find a setting that will stimulate your child in a positive direction.

4. What is CARF and JCAHO accreditations? Are they necessary in choosing residential treatment?

CARF is Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is an organization that oversees programs for behavioral health. If a program/school is CARF accredited, in some cases you may have a more insurance coverage. CARF accreditation can be considered a quality standard of care.

JCAHO is The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations which is the seal of approval for hospitals, and some residential treatment centers have acquired this accreditation. JCAHO is a higher level of care, although many residential treatment centers are not JCAHO accredited, they will adhere by their standards. Being JCAHO accredited will help your insurance coverage.

More and more therapeutic programs are becoming CARF accredited not only to provide more safety and oversight for their staff and students, but to offer more reimbursement for insurance claims.

JCAHO is typically found in higher level of care facilities, although some residential treatment centers have that extra level of accreditation.

Both these accreditations are important; however, they are not necessary. For years residential treatment has been operating without them and have been successful. These are voluntary accreditations.

5. What is NATSAP and IECA seals of approval that are some programs sites? 

NATSAP is the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. This is a self-made organization that was reprimanded in a congressional hearing in 2007 for their lack of oversight of their members. Participating programs and schools pay a fee to be members to have their seal of approval on their sites.

More concerning is some parents are under the illusion that unless a program is NATSAP approved, it is not a quality program. That is simply not true. Not all schools and programs feel the need to be a member of this club, nor do they have to. Unlike CARF or JCAHO, it (NATSAP) does not offer much in benefits.

IECA are the Independent Educational Consultants of America, and their members are known as Educational Consultants that pay the fees to belong to this self-made organization. Like with NATSAP, they have their own circle of schools and programs they support and unlikely to consider those that do not want to participate (pay) to belong to private clubs.

There are many excellent schools and programs in our country today that have been around for decades that have never been involved in private organizations (clubs) and have succeeded on their reputation. It is important for parents not to be dissuaded by the politics of the troubled teen industry.

Also read:

Success in Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Finding Safe Therapeutic Schools

Goals of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How to Untangle Troubled Teen Industry Terminology first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Since 2020 teen depression and anxiety has doubled. Experts are pointing to excess screen-time as part of the cause. If a parent attempts to remove their child’s device, they can experience teenage rage and explosive behavior — in some cases holes will be punched into the walls.

Are you facing:

-Cell-phone addiction, video gaming obsession
-Failing in school, capable of passing
-Skipping classes, school refusal
-Teen defiance, rage, rebellious
–Teen depression, anxiety, stress
-Teen OCD, RAD, ADHD
-Drifted from your family values
-Teenage substance use, drinking, vaping
-Withdrawn, isolation – not participating in family functions
-Changing peer groups
-Self-harm, suicide ideation
–Stealing, lying, manipulating
-Property destruction, explosive behavior

If you are experiencing a few of these behavior issues, it can be extremely challenging and you can feel like you’re being held hostage in your home by a defiant and entitled teenager. Are you searching for alternative boarding schools?

Since 2001 P.U.R.E. has been educating parents and communities about help for troubled teens programs and schools. This industry is extremely competitive and can be very confusing to the desperate parent. Without the right knowledge, sifting through the internet for the right therapeutic boarding school for your teen can be daunting.

We were once in that position, we understand the stress and apprehension you are feeling and  want you to know you are not alone and give you the opportunity to learn from our experiences and more importantly, gain from our knowledge.

If you are visiting our website, it’s likely your teen or young adult is struggling and you are considering alternative options. You may not be familiar with how to research these specialty boarding schools and programs. You are probably thinking, “Does my teen really need to be sent away?” Or some parents want to know, “Will my teen hate me if we send them away?” One big question is, “How will we get them there, they don’t want to go.”

We can help you make this big decision.

We believe in finding a positive and encouraging setting for your teen. Placing a negative child into a punitive or primitive environment can usually build anger and resentment. Most of these young people are typically suffering with low-self worth – it’s time to find placement that enhances their self-esteem and starts building them back up to make better choices.

Although many parents believe that finding a school or program near their home is a priority, we help you understand that this is only a snapshot of their entire life. Yet one of the most important parts of their life that will have a major impact on both their emotional and educational future. It’s imperative you select a program that best fits their needs and not your geographical convenience.

Whether you’re considering a wilderness program, therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center, this is a major emotional and financial decision. We help families make the right choice for their individual needs.

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

Why Residential Treatment Can Work When Home Therapy Fails

The post How to Find An Alternative Boarding School for My Troubled Teen first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The post 7 Questions Parents Ask About Therapeutic Schools first appeared on Help Your Teens.

One big question parents want to know is, what is the purpose of placing your teen in a summer camp or a therapeutic boarding school and why is it any different than getting help at home?

When you place your teenager into a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center, these environments provide intense help for students with emotional and behavioral problems. When they are struggling with emotional issues, it also impacts their schooling.

In most cases, the family has already exhausted their local resources — their teen has not responded to outpatient treatment, the school setting is not working, a short-term hospital stay was unsuccessful, and it is now time to consider an environment that provides long-lasting behavioral changes.

Does this sound familiar?

-Is your teen doing drugs?
-Are they depressed, withdrawn?
–Addicted to their cell-phone, video gaming?
-Are they self-harming, suicide ideation?
-Smart, but failing in school?
-Skipping classes, school refusal?
-Suspended or facing expulsion?
-Changed friends, negative peer group?
–Loss of interest in activities or hobbies?
-Explosive, destructive?
–Stealing, legal issues?
-Angry, rage, violent?
-Struggling with ADHD, RAD, Bipolar?

If you’re experiencing several of these characteristics and your teen is refusing to get help, it’s likely you’re home has become extremely hostile.

Once you locate a quality residential treatment program, your teenager will temporarily live outside of their home and in a facility (therapeutic boarding school) where they can be supervised and monitored by trained staff.

5 Purposes of Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

1. Evaluation.  Your teen (once removed from their home environment and peer influences) will likely have a comprehensive evaluation to assess emotional, behavioral, medical, and social needs, and support these needs accordingly and safely.

2. Treatment plan. Determining the right residential treatment program for your teen includes finding one that can meet his/her individual needs. Residential programs will design an individualized treatment plan that puts into place interventions that help your teen attain their goals.

3. Therapy. When your child was at home, it is likely he/she either refused to attend counseling, maybe manipulated the therapist, or possibly simply didn’t engage with them. While in residential treatment, your child will be attending both individual and group therapy to help them through their healing process.

Now that your teen is in a therapeutic setting, it is more difficult for them to keep up their walls. These therapists are trained to work with youth that are difficult to breakthrough.

4. Family involvement “peacefully”. Well-rounded residential programs encourage and provide opportunities for family therapy and contact through on-site visits, home passes (when the time comes), telephone calls and other modes of communication. Trained staff is always available to help navigate issues of concern for both the parents and when/if the teenager gets upset from meetings or letters.

Most residential treatment programs and therapeutic boarding schools also offer parenting and family workshops. These can be extremely beneficial in making the transition back home.

5. Builds self-worth. Residential treatment programs not only offer clinical teams to help your teen emotionally, most provide additional behavioral therapy through enrichment programs. These are designed to help your teen develop coping skills as well as building self-esteem to make better choices in life.

Examples of enrichment programs that residential treatment programs and therapeutic boarding schools offer:

–Art Therapy
–Animal Assisted Therapy
–Sports Therapy
–Horticultural (Gardening) Therapy
–Music Therapy

Also read:

5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

 Are Therapeutic Boarding Schools Effective?

Where to Send My Troubled Teen

The post What is The Purpose of Camps for Troubled Teens? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

One of the most common questions and concerns for parents is, how do you find a quality therapeutic boarding school close to your home?

First you are bombarded with websites, marketing and new terminology that can be confusing and overwhelming especially when you are stressed out and exhausted by your teen’s behavior.

After decades of helping families that are searching for the right behavioral boarding school for their struggling teen or young adult, we complied the top 5 most asked questions and answers by parents.

Staying near to your home is not recommended for several reasons.

5 Questions Parents Ask About Teen Therapeutic Boarding Schools:

1. “We want a program close to home so we can visit frequently.”

Almost every parent has the same response, they want a program close to home. It’s probably one of the most common mistakes a family can make in selecting the right therapeutic boarding school for your troubled teen.

This is a major emotional (and sometimes) financial decision — in our decades of experience, we urge parents to choose a program that fits your child’s needs (emotionally, physically and academically), rather than geographically. Of course, this is within reason. Since the pandemic, it’s understandable that some don’t want to travel to the other side of the country, however you can be more reasonable when it comes to choosing residential treatment. It’s always wise to find a program outside of your state — without going to the other side of the country.

This helps remove your teen’s temptation to runaway since they are less familiar with the area. We’ve seen parents choose local programs or places their family is familiar with — the teen will run, and this sets their progress back. When this happens, it prolongs their stay at the school and you have to hit the reset button again. There are no winners.

If you’re concerned about family therapy, you will have virtual sessions and parenting workshops which are typically every other month or every 90 days. Check with the program.

2. “Should our teen help us choose the therapeutic boarding program?”

Absolutely, positively not. Up until this point of their life, they have not been making the best choices, what would convince you that they would make the right one now?

Again, with decades of experience, parents have attempted to work with their teens in hopes they would be excited about a school or a program, getting a new start – or possibly the animals or sports that the program offers, however what happens next can be anything but excitement. 

Your child will start doing their own research online, telling their friends, and realizing they will not be able to take their phones, talk to friends, they will be on a schedule and life will not be the rainbows and unicorns they have been used to. In some situations, they might even miss holidays or birthdays.

If your teen is a flight risk, you are giving them time to better map out their surroundings by telling them where they will be going – or even where you are considering sending them. It is never wise for a parent to threaten a child that they will be sent away, this only starts the program off with a sense of negativity.

It is the child’s behavior that has prompted you to make this decision, no parent simply wants to send a child to residential for no reason. Every parent has their child’s wellness in the forefront.

This is a time for parents to be the parents, make the adult decision for the child that needs help. If you are placing a young adult, it is different. At 18+ years old they do have to be willing to attend. In most of these young adults’ programs your child can speak with the director and other students and get a full understanding of the program. Some young adults know they need this extra boost.

3. “My teen won’t attend a program; how do we get him/her there?”

This is probably one of the most common questions parents ask and are concerned about. Assisted transport is how most parents have successfully and safely brought their teen to residential treatment.

It is especially important to choose qualified and credentialed professionals. The transport service should be licensed and insured to transport teens and have various degrees and/or background in education, psychology, behavioral science, mental health, or other related fields.

It is natural for parents to be apprehensive about this, however after speaking with other parents that have taken this road, you will realize that many of these teens ended up becoming friends with their transports and it is not the nightmare they are imagining — or you are reading about *online. They may initially be angry, but deep down your teen understands they do need help.

*We caution parents frequently about the fearmongering that some forums have posted online, although we don’t diminish a person’s experience, we encourage you to employ qualified professionals and do your diligences in speaking with references. There are overwhelmingly number of successful transport of young people to have a bright future.

4. “I fear my teen will hate me forever if I send them to a therapeutic boarding school.”

Again, another quite common concern of parents, especially parents of adopted children that fear that they will exasperate abandonment issues, is will their teen hate them forever if they are sent to a therapeutic boarding school?

Initially your teen may enter the program and not like you very much (it may feel like hate to you and them) but — they will grow from their fear and anger.

Your teen will likely fear the new situation and may also promise to “do better at home” however you know that you have already heard all these promises and spent a long time trying. It is time to be the adult, be the parent and do what is best for your child.

It is at this time that talking to other parents can be incredibly supportive for you — parents that have taken this journey before you, maybe from the same program you have selected for your teen.

As the program progresses, family therapy and workshops continue to reunite all of you and work through the conflict that tore you apart. Eventually your teen will be able to understand and have gratitude for this experience.

5. “Don’t these programs have bad kids; my child isn’t that bad?”

If no one had troubled teens or young adults, there would not be any need residential treatment facilities. Most schools for troubled teens are enrolled with good kids that come from good families, possibly had a good foundation, however, took a wrong turn.

The increase of technology has not helped this generation, screen-addiction, social media – they are not only facing peer pressure at school, but it is also in the palm of their hands 24/7/365.

Doing your due diligence in researching boarding schools helps you to be sure you are placing your teen in the most appropriate setting. Your teen will be with kids like themselves – and their families are like you, begging for help to get their child back to happiness and a functioning adult.

Also read:

How to Interview Schools for Troubled Teens

5 Benefits to a Therapeutic Boarding School

The post How to Find Therapeutic Boarding Schools Close to Home first appeared on Help Your Teens.