Residential Treatment Programs for Troubled Teens

Sometimes the only option for helping a troubled teen is to place him in a residential program. It can be extremely taxing on the teenager, as well as on his family, to try to manage the crisis without some kind of help or intervention. Fortunately, if the situation calls for it, a family has several options.

Signs

• The most important factor when considering treatment facilities for troubled teens is whether or not the teen is actually troubled. Here are some signs which indicate a teenager might be having trouble: she is more secretive than usual, steals money from relatives, lies often, regularly misses curfew, suddenly changes friends and does not want parents to meet them, has extreme mood swings and a noticeable drop in grades.

Working Ranches

• There is something to be said for the benefits of working in the great outdoors. These treatment facilities are usually horse, cattle and sheep ranches situated in the rural areas of states such as Utah and Arizona. The adolescents do attend school and therapy sessions but they also perform hands-on duties at the ranch. The idea behind these treatment facilities is that work teaches teens that they will gain nothing through entitlement and manipulation, only through teamwork and effort. Work ranches balance a tough-love atmosphere with counseling. Work ranches are usually faith-based and offer an appropriate option for Christian families.

Wilderness Camps

• There are residential summer wilderness camps, but there are also a few year-round residential programs. The teenagers attend school classes as well as therapy and also participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Teens hike, camp, fish, swim and participate in other types of activities under the guidance of counselors. Teens are also usually given life-skills training and transition planning. The theory behind wilderness camps is that the wilderness itself is therapeutic, and the teens will benefit through direct interaction with nature.

Therapeutic Boarding Schools

• Similar in theory to a traditional boarding school, these facilities offer a residential high school education for adolescents. The difference is that therapeutic boarding schools are equipped specifically to deal with troubled teens. Group and individual therapy are offered along with traditional academic classes. These schools believe in helping adolescents grow emotionally, intellectually and spiritually.

Costs

• The cost of residential treatment facilities ranges widely. Some treatment centers offer scholarships and financing options. It is best to contact the treatment center directly.