top of page
Writer's pictureSundance Canyon Academy

What Your Troubled Teen Can Learn While Attending Boarding Schools For Troubled Boys


Teens suffering from severe behavioral issues are at risk for jeopardizing their emotional development as well as their ability to maintain healthy relationships. If you have a teen dealing with an issue like defiance, depression, substance abuse, self-harm or a mental disorder, you may find that you need more intensive care for him than you can provide at home. Full time programs, like therapeutic boarding schools, are a valuable resource for parents who have nowhere else to turn. An immersive, therapeutic environment can be life changing for a teen who is not responding to any other treatment options.

What Exactly Is A Therapeutic Boarding School?

Therapeutic boarding schools are facilities that house and care for teens with behavioral issues that are too severe to be dealt with at home. They provide a supportive and secure environment where teens can get some distance from the triggers and temptations that are derailing positive progress at home. Each teen is assessed upon arrival by experienced therapists that develop a plan of care, personalized for each students unique set of challenges. Through a combination of therapy, academics, life skills opportunities and recreational activities, troubled teens are guided toward managing the root of their issues and learning the skills and tools needed to help manage them in a healthy way.

What Do Teens Learn At Therapeutic Boarding Schools?

Placing your son in a full time facility is usually a major financial and emotional investment. It is helpful for parents to know ahead of time what a potential placement option will help their troubled teen learn. Although each facility will have a somewhat unique curriculum, most offer a combination of the following:

  1. Communication Skills – Daily activities and interaction with peers and authority figures, such as group therapy and team based exercises, are all designed to help students practice positive communication.

  2. Coping Skills – An unhealthy response to daily challenges is usually what leads most troubled teens to a full time program in the first place. Experienced counselors and therapists help each student identify his issues and triggers and practice healthier responses and reactions.

  3. Self-Esteem – Many troubled teens suffer from a lack of self-confidence. Most programs provide a variety of therapy modalities like experiential, music, culinary and recreation therapies, in addition to the usual group, individual and family sessions. Each teen is fully engaged and has the opportunity to discover a healthier sense of self and better identify his strengths for better self-esteem.

  4. Academics – Because maintaining educational progress is such a priority for most parents, many schools offer academic instruction and tutoring. Double check any potential facilities to ensure that their program is nationally accredited and that the teachers are licensed, as some states do not require this.

  5. Balance – One of the main objectives of therapeutic facilities is to help troubled teens learn how to maintain balance in their life for maximum success. Through a healthy mix of work and play, teens learn how to manage their issues with positive alternatives and mature decision making.

Sundance Canyon Academy is a residential treatment center located in Utah. Our unique relationship based therapy program helps troubled boys at the root of their challenges, rather than the behavior modification techniques found in many facilities that only address the symptoms. For questions about our program or a consultation, please contact us today at 1-866-678-2425.

2 views0 comments
bottom of page