Does My Troubled Teen Need A Therapeutic Program?
How do I know if we’re ready to consider a teen help program?
Are you running out of options for your struggling teen?
Many parents are extremely concerned today about their teen’s today. We are witnessing higher rates of depression, stress, anxiety, self-harm and sadly — suicide ideation among our young people.
If you’re one of these parents, you are certainly not alone.
Are you experiencing the following:
- Poor grades even though they are intelligent
- Disengaged and apathetic about school, skipping classes, truancy
- Anger or rage (explosive) at home – but seems to handle it okay in other settings
- Low work ethic
- Authority issues
- Poor decision making
- Abuse of technology – (Video game addiction, porn use, screen addiction)
- Psychiatric Struggles – Depression, ADD, ADHD, Anxiety, Mood disorders, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
- Poor social skills
- Low self-image and self-worth
- Entitled attitude – feels they deserves or are “owed” stuff but not willing to put in the effort
- Substance abuse, vaping
- Self-harm, suicide ideation
- Running away, sneaking out
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Family conflict, withdrawing from family
- Dropping out of their favorite activities (sports, dance, cheerleading)
- Conduct disorder
- Shoplifting, stealing (usually from parents)
- Legal issues
Have you tried these things to help:
- Switching schools, moving
- School counselors, therapists
- Taking away technology, removing cell-phones
- Lectures, pleading
- Tutors
- Mentors, teen coaches
- Short-term in-patient or out-patient services
- Living with a relative
There are few things more frustrating than trying to help someone who doesn’t want help. They don’t see any reason to change their behavior because it isn’t causing enough pain and frustration now.
But if they don’t get help. . . then they are going to experience a very challenging life. They are unlikely to complete high-school let alone be able to obtain and hold a job. It is unlikely that they will have the opportunities that you want for them. They will struggle.
They need more help than you can offer. . . but it isn’t too late.
Residential therapy can be extremely beneficial where local resources have failed.
Removing your teen from the influences of negative peer groups or sometimes even family conflict can help them reflect more on what is creating their negative behavior.
These programs (therapeutic boarding schools/residential treatment centers) continue with your son’s education, have therapists to work on your son’s emotional wellbeing to help him develop coping and communication skills as well as building motivation and setting goals for his (now) bright future.
This is a major emotional and financial decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s why we help educate parents on schools and programs that would best fit their individual teen’s needs. We know how confusing the internet can be — and you don’t want to make a rash decision while you’re in crisis. Learn from our mistakes, gain from our knowledge. Read more about the founders story.
Contact us today for a free consultant about teen help programs.