There are so many treatment options for troubled youth available today that you may be wondering which will be most effective for your child.
While there's no set answer to this question, there are several things to consider when choosing a treatment program for your troubled teen.
The severity of her behavior, the programs readily available in your area, the type of problem he is struggling with, and the cost of programs should all affect your decision...
* Problems of Troubled Youth: Troubled youth can include teenagers and struggling with problems including but not limited to defiance of authority, compulsive lying, drug and alcohol abuse or addiction, self-mutilation, low self-esteem, giving in to peer pressure, and eating disorders.
Often, youths are afflicted by a combination of these problems, as they tend to be linked together.
Different programs treat different problems, so be specific about the struggles of your troubled youth.
For instance, a boot camp might be good for a defiant teenager but wouldn't help a young adult struggling with anorexia at all.
* Severity of Problem: If your teenager is just starting to lie and defy you once in a while, sending him to boarding school might be going overboard.
Instead, check out counseling and after-school care so that he gets help for underlying issues and has less time to get into trouble.
If, on the other hand, you find your daughter on the verge of passing out because she has cut herself so much, it's probably time to seek treatment from a residential center or intensive group therapy.
Let the severity of your troubled youth's problems determine the course of action you take at any given moment, as you can always try outpatient counseling now and a residential program later on if the first option doesn't work.
* Cost of Programs: While cost shouldn't be the only determining factor when deciding on the best treatment for your troubled teen, it should definitely come into play.
This is mainly because too many parents start their teens and young adults in intensive therapy, counseling, or residential programs and have to remove them too early because they can no longer afford the cost of care.
Sometimes a little bit of therapy goes a long way, but more often than not, pulling a troubled youth out of the care of a psychologist or residential group too early causes even more damage.
* Availability: You may think keeping your troubled youth close to home is the best possible option, but think again.
Teens who are in residential and camp programs close to home are more likely to run away and to get involved with students who will influence them negatively once they return home.
On the other hand, don't plan on driving eight hours every weekend to see your child.
The best bet is to either choose a short-term program located within driving distance of your home or to find a long-term option that is three hours or less away from where you live.
While there's no set answer to this question, there are several things to consider when choosing a treatment program for your troubled teen.
The severity of her behavior, the programs readily available in your area, the type of problem he is struggling with, and the cost of programs should all affect your decision...
* Problems of Troubled Youth: Troubled youth can include teenagers and struggling with problems including but not limited to defiance of authority, compulsive lying, drug and alcohol abuse or addiction, self-mutilation, low self-esteem, giving in to peer pressure, and eating disorders.
Often, youths are afflicted by a combination of these problems, as they tend to be linked together.
Different programs treat different problems, so be specific about the struggles of your troubled youth.
For instance, a boot camp might be good for a defiant teenager but wouldn't help a young adult struggling with anorexia at all.
* Severity of Problem: If your teenager is just starting to lie and defy you once in a while, sending him to boarding school might be going overboard.
Instead, check out counseling and after-school care so that he gets help for underlying issues and has less time to get into trouble.
If, on the other hand, you find your daughter on the verge of passing out because she has cut herself so much, it's probably time to seek treatment from a residential center or intensive group therapy.
Let the severity of your troubled youth's problems determine the course of action you take at any given moment, as you can always try outpatient counseling now and a residential program later on if the first option doesn't work.
* Cost of Programs: While cost shouldn't be the only determining factor when deciding on the best treatment for your troubled teen, it should definitely come into play.
This is mainly because too many parents start their teens and young adults in intensive therapy, counseling, or residential programs and have to remove them too early because they can no longer afford the cost of care.
Sometimes a little bit of therapy goes a long way, but more often than not, pulling a troubled youth out of the care of a psychologist or residential group too early causes even more damage.
* Availability: You may think keeping your troubled youth close to home is the best possible option, but think again.
Teens who are in residential and camp programs close to home are more likely to run away and to get involved with students who will influence them negatively once they return home.
On the other hand, don't plan on driving eight hours every weekend to see your child.
The best bet is to either choose a short-term program located within driving distance of your home or to find a long-term option that is three hours or less away from where you live.
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