Parents often feel overwhelmed and helpless when their child is troubled. A number of programs exist to help families in crisis, each differing in its approach. They all share a common goal, however, of helping teen girls resolve their problems and improve the quality of their lives.
According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teens who completed a treatment program exhibited a decrease in risky behaviors such as drug abuse and criminal activity, as well as an improvement in their self-esteem and school performance.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Some parents believe a therapeutic boarding school is their best option. In addition to regular schoolwork, many therapeutic boarding schools offer on-site counseling, workshops and recovery programs.
According to the Troubled Teens Info website, therapeutic boarding schools are long-term programs. A six-month minimum enrollment period is generally preferred, during which your daughter will attend classes and participate in private and group therapy sessions. As difficult as it may be to send your daughter away from your home, she may need the distance from negative peers to break free of her self-destructive habits.
Therapeutic boarding schools can cost thousands of dollars a month, warns the Troubled Teens Info website, but it is possible your insurance may cover a portion of the cost. There may also be financial aid, loan or reimbursement programs available depending on your daughter's circumstances.
Wilderness Programs
A wilderness therapy program may be the most appropriate choice for your daughter if she is experiencing behavioral or psychological problems. According to the Teen Help website, outdoor therapy programs take small groups of teens into a wilderness setting for a short period of time, typically between 30 to 60 days. Participants practice team-building activities that teach self-reliance and cooperation throughout the duration of the program. The benefits of wilderness programs can include greater self-esteem, an improved sense of responsibility and less hostility and defiance in your daughter.
A drawback to wilderness programs is limited effectiveness. According to the Teen Help website, most wilderness programs do not offer an academic component, and some may not offer group therapy either. Furthermore, because it is a short-term option, your daughter may require further intervention in the form of continued therapy or enrollment in another program to achieve long-term success.
Residential Treatment
Treatment in an in-patient facility is another option for your troubled teen. Residential programs provide therapy for issues including drug and alcohol abuse, suicide attempts, depression and other behavioral and mood disorders. Your daughter would reside in a secure facility under the supervision of medical professionals who will help her work through her problems in private and group therapy. Some residential programs offer academic components, but others focus solely on medical and behavioral issues. The Federal Trade Commission recommends a thorough investigation of the curriculum a program offers before enrolling your daughter.
One advantage of residential treatment is that it may not cost as much out-of-pocket as other programs. Certification with the Joint Hospital Accreditation Committee may qualify you for partial insurance coverage. However, it is important that you find out whether the facility you have chosen is licensed and has accreditation for all components of the program, warns the Federal Trade Commission.
Since residential treatment programs are generally short-term, you may need to arrange follow-up treatment with another program after discharge to resolve all of your daughter's issues.
References
- Troubled Teens Info: Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens
- Teen Help: Choosing a Troubled Teen Program
- FTC: Considering a Private Residential Treatment for a Troubled Teen
- Troubled Teens Info: Therapeutic Wilderness Programs
- National Institutes of Health: Study of Teens in Four Cities Finds Drug Treatment Effective
Member Comments