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