When your teen is consistently acting out and behaving badly, it can affect the whole family and leave you mentally and physically exhausted. You may feel as though you have tried everything to help your teen get back on the path to health and happiness and it is discouraging when nothing seems to work. When a troubled teen fails to respond to outpatient treatment or efforts by the authority figures in his life, it may be time to consider a more intensive program such as a therapeutic boarding school. These programs offer a form of therapy that treats each troubled teen as a whole and identifies the challenges that lead to bad decisions while teaching effective coping skills.
What Happens There?
Therapeutic boarding schools are designed to provide full time care for troubled teens needing the round the clock coaching and monitoring that their parents may not be able to provide at home. Through a unique combination of academics and various therapy modalities, teens are guided toward identifying their underlying issues in order to overcome them, rather than simply treating the symptoms. Because each teen has different needs, they receive a thorough initial assessment by a therapist upon arrival. The information from this assessment allows the staff to create a plan of care that is personal and individualized in order to target the skills he needs to gain most.
Although the type of therapy program differs with the facility, most offer a combination of group, individual and family therapy. Other forms, such as recreational or life skills options allow each teen to expand his healing process by practicing teamwork and effective communication with peers and authority figures. Ideal program settings are small in order for each resident to get the one on one attention he needs from counselors and staff. Smaller groups that mimic a family environment better prepare troubled teens to transition back home.
Although the idea of sending your son to a therapeutic boarding school may feel drastic or extreme, it could be exactly what he needs in order to turn his life around. The immersive, safe and consistent environment offered at a full time program can sometimes be the only way for a struggling teen to fully get away from his usual temptations long enough to create positive results. As you research facilities, it is important that you are comfortable with the therapeutic program, the safety regulations and the level of involvement for you as the parent. You should select a place that treats the family as well as the son, because making long lasting changes is a collaborative effort that continues long after he returns home.
Sundance Canyon Academy is a therapeutic boarding school located in northern Utah. We are known for our unique and successfully proven relationship based program. For more information or to discuss the needs of your son, please contact us at 866-678-2425.