Types of Programs offered for struggling teens

There are many different types of therapeutic schools and programs to choose from. Differentiating between all of the options can be challenging because many have the same end goal in mind: to graduate a student who has come to know and accept themselves; learned necessary skills to help manage their life in a safe and productive manner; learned how to meet and overcome challenges and setbacks;developed an appreciation for academic learning and in some cases earned a high school diploma, and last but hardly least, learn to establish and maintain positive and meaningful relationships with peers and adults. It is important to acknowledge that all of these schools and programs include and encourage parent participation.

Understanding the types of programs that are available for the various needs are essential in finding the right placement.

Short Term Outdoor Experiential Programs-often referred to as Wilderness Programs

These programs are only 4-10 weeks in length and rely on creating the teachable moment by doing the least expected and taking the student out of their comfort zone. The wilderness is used as a tool to simplify a student's life to explore their issues and create relationship with themselves and the counselors without the distractions. Therapy is offered both in a one on one and group setting with various degrees of clinical support. It is an opportunity for the teen to take a hard look at his or her behaviors that brought them there and to look at life's goals ahead. The programs involve base camp style living as well as trekking from one site to another. In many cases a therapeutic program will require a child to attend a wilderness program before entering the school.

Therapeutic Boarding School

These schools offer a year round residential environment that integrates academics, personal behavioral management, community living and a positive peer environment. They are "staff secure" which means there are no locks for the purpose of containing students. Each of these schools offers a varying range of academic courses, therapy (individual and group) and extra curricular activities. The enrollment numbers vary between 14 and 150 or more and the length of stay ranges anywhere from 9 to 24 months. In short, these schools focus first on behavior and then academics. They can accommodate medical and psychological needs depending on the school; all the while affording the student time to practice his new found awareness and skills in a community setting.

Residential Treatment Center (RTC)

An RTC includes everything we have mentioned for the therapeutic boarding school and more. These facilities are physically secure which means they can lock various parts of the campus. They are able to manage a greater range of more serious psychological and behavioral needs of students. There is a highly credited medical and clinical staff full time with more emphasis on individual therapy. These schools offer accredited academics along with a wide and varying list of activities.

Transitional Independent Living Program These programs are for students eighteen and above. The age range might be as high as twenty four. The emphasis of these programs is to learn and practice in a safe yet less restricted environment the skills needed for truly independent living. These skills can include everything from doing your own wash, food purchasing, cooking, to interviewing skills, job management and college classes. These programs meet a variety of needs such as substance abuse through the use of regional courses like AA and NA. The average length of stay is 9 to 24 months, however many programs offer a step down program which will allow continued mentoring after the student has graduated.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Rehab works well for anyone that is totally committed to wanting help and willing to take all the steps that go through the process. These programs usually run from 28 days to 4 months with extensive follow up on an outpatient level after leaving the program. Group therapy is standard with an emphasis on fellowship among the patients. There are a variety of treatment models ranging from wilderness programs to more traditional hospital and outpatient programs.