How do you know when you need to find places to send troubled teens — specifically when it comes to your own son? The stakes are much higher in locating the right program to fit his needs.
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:
- Failing, yet capable of passing (underachieving)
- School refusal, skipping classes, truancy
- Anger or rage (explosive) especially at home
- Poor work ethic, entitled attitude
- 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-esteem
- Drug use, drinking, vaping
- Running away, sneaking out
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Family conflict, withdrawing from family
- Shoplifting, stealing (usually from parents) legal issues
Have you tried these things to help:
- Switching schools
- School counselors, therapists
- Taking away technology, removing cell-phones
- Lectures, pleading
- 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. He doesn’t see any reason to change his behavior because it isn’t causing enough pain and frustration now.
But if he doesn’t get help. . . then he’s going to experience a very challenging life. He is unlikely to complete high-school let alone be able to obtain and hold a job. It is unlikely that he will have the opportunities that you want for him. He will struggle.
He needs more help than you can offer. . . but it isn’t too late.
Residential treatment 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.
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