Finding A Therapeutic Program For Your Troubled Teen Doesn’t Mean You’re “Giving Up”

Finding help for a troubled teen tends to follow a familiar pattern. It begins earlier on when their behavioral problems can no longer be managed by in-school intervention, and a child psychologist or local therapy program is suggested. These types of intervention may help your teen show some improvement for a while, but often, more problems start to arise over time. Often, as your teen’s struggles become more serious, more intensive forms of therapy and medication are recommended. In the meantime, there are school suspensions, possibly expulsion, as well as potential legal ramifications. Things can spiral out-of-control quickly when a troubled teen becomes worse, and your home can become a warzone that no one can relax in for a moment.

Taking The “Extreme Route” With Your Teen

So much can be involved in this entire scenario. Maybe there are other siblings involved who are under stress or even in danger. Your marriage could be deteriorating, or you may have no support network. It is hard for any family who is trying to manage the ups and downs of a troubled teen. Something as simple as going out for a night on your own could be so fantastical that you can’t imagine it actually happening anymore. By the time this stage is reached, it is time to start looking for a therapeutic boarding program that is more long term. But parents are often resistant to this idea, seeing it as “extreme” and they may even feel like they are giving up on their child and sending them away. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Therapeutic Programs For Long Term Recovery

Outpatient and short term programs have their uses, as do prolonged therapy. But in some cases, troubled teens require special handling and more one-on-one attention. Professionals who have experience managing teens who are struggling with intense behavioral issues will be able to assist in an environment that lends itself to recovery and healing. Because that is what your child needs—not to be fixed, but to heal. These therapeutic programs are great for teens who have experienced:

• Depression
• Self-harm
• Suicidal ideation
• Drug use
• Anger issues
• Personality disorders
• Mood disorders
• Behavioral disorders
• Violent outbursts
• Pathological lying
• Persistent truancy
• Legal problems
• Academic failures
• Eating disorders
• Trauma

Specialists in these areas know that your child isn’t a bad person. Instead, these teen-specific mental health therapists know that seriously troubled teens are battling something deep inside of them and need understanding, care and coping mechanisms that will allow them to live a healthy and happy life. These skills have to be taught, and that can take some time.

What Kind of Therapeutic Programs Are Available?

Most inpatient programs are relatively short term, ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. This could be helpful if you are dealing with a single issue that can be eased into an outpatient treatment plan after it is complete. But for more severe cases, long term care that lasts from six months to a year is usually ideal. In order to allow them to continue their studies, experts recommend residential treatment centers for troubled teens. These institutions use a 50/50 approach between intensive therapy and behavioral modifications, and academic tutoring to help teens undergo longterm improvement. Some of these therapeutic boarding schools have additional niches they use to help their students/patients. For instance, there are schools that involve equestrian and horse care as part of their therapeutic program. This is to help your teen learn responsibility and empathy as they care for and connect with an animal known for its intuition. Other schools will provide culinary training by teaching your student how to cook, maintain proper sanitation, and ideal nutrition. Most therapeutic schools will give chores that are done in real life to prepare the teens to eventually live on their own, doing things such as cleaning, washing their clothes, budgeting, shopping and preparing food, and other life skills teens will need as they enter young adulthood.

You Are Not “Giving Up”, You Are Giving More

Your teen deserves a chance at healing and learning more about why they behave the way they do. Therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment centers are a perfect place to do just that as your troubled teen will be given the safe environment they need to learn new things, change negative behaviors, improve their grades, and prepare to rejoin your family. Instead of feeling like you are giving up on your teen by sending them to a therapeutic program, realize that you are giving them more. It is a gift for your child and your family as a whole. If you would like to learn more about how Liahona Treatment Center can help your troubled teenage son, contact us. One of our program advisors will be happy to help you learn more.