Therapeutic boarding schools are full time facilities which provide immersive care for teens with severe behavioral issues. Teen help programs like these help troubled boys learn the skills they need to overcome their daily challenges away from the temptations, triggers and distractions of their home environment. Full time residential facilities are often a last resort for parents whose teens are unwilling or unable to respond to regular disciplinary tactics or other outpatient options.
What Do I Need To Know?
Although each facility will have their own unique program, most involve a combination of various therapy modalities, academics and extracurricular activities. The main goal of therapeutic boarding schools is to help teens identify the root of their issues in order to create positive, long term changes. Knowing what is involved in effective programs can help you make a more informed choice about where to place your son.
Individualized Plans – Although many teens in full time programs face similar issues such as defiance, depression or substance abuse, there is no one way to treat the problem. Because each boy has different strengths and weaknesses, they need different goals and a personalized plan of care. Look for a facility that assesses your teen’s social, medical and behavioral needs upon arrival and allows for plenty of one-on-one time with the therapists and counselors. Each treatment plan should be as unique as the student it is for.
Academics – Keeping up with age appropriate educational requirements is a major concern for many parents. Most schools offer an academic program to help residents catch up or stay on track with their class at home. Double check the facilities you are considering to make sure that they are offering licensed instructors who will let your son work at his own pace, as well as a nationally accredited program so he can transfer his credits.
Better Communication – Almost every troubled teen entering a therapeutic boarding school needs to work on communicating effectively with peers and authority figures. Look for a facility that provides a variety of team building activities in order to help your son develop healthy relationships. A more intimate environment with fewer students will allow him to practice healthy interaction and trust.
Parental Involvement – You know your son and his challenges better than anyone. An effective facility will value your input as a parent and keep you highly involved in his treatment plan. Through regular joint therapy sessions and personal attention during the transition home, you should select a school that educates and includes the whole family in the long term treatment plan.
Sundance Canyon Academy is a residential treatment center located in Utah. We specialize in helping troubled teen boys through a proven relationship based therapeutic method. Unlike behavior modification programs, we aim to treat the underlying issues that lead to negative symptoms. For information about our program, or a consultation about your son, please contact us at (866) 640-1899.