What is a Group Home for Teens?

The preteen and adolescent years are a struggle for just about everyone at one point or another. With hormones raging, responsibility increasing, emotions awry, and wanting to fit in amongst peers (just to name a few), the overwhelming situations pulling at teens each day can prove to be a breaking point for many.  When typical parental discipline still doesn't seem to make much of an impact, many families lean toward the assistance of a group home. While each home is different - and will vary with the type of treatment provided - these safe havens are places that parents and teens can turn toward in order to get the best care possible.  In this post, we will discuss what group homes can offer and if they are beneficial in improving the behaviors and emotions of troubled teens. We will also take a brief glance into the day to day schedule of a group home, and some questions to ask yourself if you are thinking about transitioning your teen to a group home. Let’s get started!

What Can a Group Home Offer Your Teen?

Group homes offer assistance to teens and their families for a variety of reasons. These homes have around the clock supervision with professional staff and are designed to help your teenage son or daughter work through issues such as:

• Drug and alcohol use
• Depression
• Prior trauma
• Low self-esteem
• Eating disorders

These conditions, and many others, can all be targeted by professionals at group homes in order to improve the behavior of your child. With individualized goals and plans, each teen can make their way through therapy sessions, educational opportunities, and interactions with family members in order to help your child move forward and make progress. 

Schedules in Group Homes

With the 24/7 care provided in group homes, teens under the care of staff aren't directly coddled all day long - in fact, many homes have a structured schedule each day so that teens can begin to make changes that lead toward positivity and productivity. This could include continuing academic courses, meal prepping, one-on-one, and group therapy sessions, cleaning and similar chores, self-study time, counseling, fitness activities, and recreational activities. While the schedule might look different for each participant, the overall goal is to ensure the teens are safe and are moving in a positive direction toward making better lifestyle choices.  According to Liahona Academy, some of the top benefits of enrolling your teenage son or daughter in a group home include:

• One-on-one and/or group therapy and counseling sessions
• Academic achievements
• Treatment that is specific to your child and their particular needs
• New and refreshing surroundings 
• Fitness classes
• Leadership development 

Group Home: Yay or Nay?

With all of this information, you might feel a bit better about the support system that you can expect for your child at a group home. However, there might be some questions that you are asking in regards to whether or not a placement like this might be beneficial for your family. Some of the more pertinent ones that you need to ask yourself about your child's behavior can include:

• Does your son or daughter ignore your rules and blatantly disobey, especially regarding curfew and when they should be home?
• Is your son or daughter abusing drugs or alcohol?
• Are you at the end of your rope with the options that you have tried in regard to getting your teen back on a positive track with their behavior?
• Do you feel as though you are tip-toeing around your teen in order to deflect any outbursts that might occur?
• Are you experiencing angry, aggressive, or risky mood swings from your child that could place them (or your family) in harm's way

These are just a few of the questions that might cross your mind when you are thinking about integrating your teen into a group home. It is certainly not an easy decision to make or one that you should take lightly. However, this list can help you narrow down your child's behavior and just how you should move forward.  Remember that not every program will look the same at each group home; however, the overall structure will have your child's best interests in mind and will work to give your son or daughter the structure, support, and guidance they need in order to flourish. If you feel as though a group home is the best option for your teen - but you are unsure of where to start - then reach out to the team at Liahona Academy.  The professionals at Liahona make it a priority to work with your child directly to ensure they move in a forward direction, whether that be through decreasing substance abuse, increasing self-esteem, or learning the best ways to deal with their emotions. With other like-minded peers and faculty surrounding them at all times, your teen can recover and thrive in an environment that is designed to help them succeed. So what are you waiting for? Reach out today to speak to a specialist.