You raise your children with good intentions, trying to balance freedom with discipline and giving all the love you possibly can. So when your teen begins showing signs of troubling behavior, you feel confused and devastated. If your teen exhibits social isolation, concealment, problems in school, drug and alcohol abuse or violence, you may need the help of an outside program to get your child back on track.
Boot Camp
Boot camps use military drills and physical training to break troubling behaviors in teens. Boot camps strive to instill a sense of discipline in teens, teaching the value of following rules and obeying authority figures. These programs generally provide a short-term solution and often precede a longer-term arrangement.
According to Teen Help, enrollment in these programs does not require the consent of the teenager, and the teenager cannot be expelled. As such, security exists to prevent teens from running away once enlisted in the program. Teens in these programs do not receive any therapy to address underlying psychological issues.
Wilderness Programs
Wilderness programs generally run from 30 to 60 days and take place in environments ranging from mountains to deserts. Wilderness programs focus on outdoor survival and exploration, utilizing your teen's natural skills to overcome environmental challenges. The focus on personal skills improves your teen's self-confidence, and his ability to overcome challenges improves his self-concept.
Wilderness programs that do not include therapy may best serve motivated teens who desire change and may not benefit teens with severe behavioral problems. Troubled Teens Info explains that therapeutic wilderness programs will better serve teens with severe behavioral problems. Mental and physical challenges, accompanied by introspection, allow the teen to focus on self-destructive and problematic behaviors. This type of wilderness program also offers counselors who work closely with your teen.
Boarding Schools
Troubled teens adversely affected by peer groups or substance abuse may benefit from a boarding school. Enrollment does not require the teen's consent, and your teen cannot be expelled. As with boot camps, security exists to prevent runaways.
According to Teen Help, boarding schools often offer counseling to address psychological problems and troubling behaviors, as well as 12-step programs to address substance abuse. Girls and boys usually maintain separate living quarters. Tuition for boarding schools generally includes room and board, academic costs, constant supervision and counseling costs.
Many forms of boarding school, such as Christian and military, exist with different approaches to the recovery of troubled teens. The strategy used for correcting teen behavior varies greatly between these two types of specialty boarding schools.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment facilities benefit teens suffering from a range of troubling issues. Chemical dependency, eating disorders and behavioral problems may all be addressed in these programs. Many different forms of residential treatment centers exist, including clinical settings with hospital staff and group-home settings with a more relaxed atmosphere. These programs generally include counseling services, for individuals and groups, and may offer 12-step programs, job-related education, physical activities and community service. Due to the broad range of residential treatment facilities, the My Troubled Teen web site recommends selecting a facility that fits the needs of your teen, as well as your belief system and parenting style.
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