Programs for Troubled Youth: A Parents’ Guide

Having a child diagnosed with a conduct disorder × Conduct Disorder
Conduct Disorder in children or teenagers presents as a pattern of disobedience or negative behaviors such as consistently breaking the rules, ignoring boundaries that are appropriate for their age and violating the rights of others.  Usually, teenagers that have a conduct disorder exhibit negative patterns of behavior that are more extreme than those of your average adolescent.  These teens have difficulties at home, in school and in their communities.  They are often involved in sexual activities earlier than other teenagers of the same age group and have low self-esteem yet give the appearance of being tough kids. Many of these teens with conduct disorders are described as anti-social or delinquent and exhibit symptoms of other psychiatric disorders, like ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and drug or alcohol abuse.  These teenagers show little to no remorse, guilt or understanding of the pain their actions/behaviors cost to those around them.   Conduct disorder is more common in boys and occurs in 1-4% of 9-17 year olds.   Most recently, more and more girls are being diagnosed with conduct disorder. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry symptoms of conduct disorder are presented in four main categories: Aggression to animals and people for instance bullying,  fighting, cruelty, and brandishing weapons, intimidating their victims. Vandalism, destruction of property, and fire setting lying and theft Truancy, running away, breaking curfew and other misdemeanors    
, ADHD, bipolar disorder or other serious psychological issue is one of the most devastating events in a parent’s life. What happens if your child is clinically diagnosed with a mental illness? What is the best thing a parent can do for their troubled teen? Programs for troubled youth are readily available but with so many options, how does a parent know they are choosing the right kind of therapeutic programs that address their child’s unique problems? Zion Educational Systems hopes this guide to troubled teens × Troubled Teens
Troubled Teens /trou.bled/ /teens/ n. Noun A troubled teen is defined as a person that is between the age 13-19 that is beset by problems or conflict. Every Teenager faces problems that they must encounter in their life.  Problems arise in every person’s life both big and small yet sometimes we allow even the most insignificant of problems affect our lives.  Sometimes with teenagers they allow trials in their life greatly affect them in negative ways.  Typically when a person (typically teenagers) face problems in their lives, the ability to cope with the problem does not exist.  When teenagers turn to other things to cope with the feelings of the problems that they usually face  things such as drugs and alcohol, pornography, criminal activity, etc. It is important to find help for troubled teens as soon as possible.  There are many different programs that are available to help troubled teens with the problems that they face each with a different approach and nature to the program.
programs can help parents decide what is in the best interest of their child’s mental, physical and emotional needs.

Residential Treatment Centers for Teens

Troubled youths who have not responded to intensive counseling × Counseling
coun·sel·ing The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines counseling as the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional. Counseling can come in many different forms. These forms include, but are not limited to, child development, eating disorder, substance abuse, rehabilitation, mental health and educational counseling. The type of counseling needed for an individual depends on the type of issues or problems he/she happens to be facing. Counseling Troubled Youth Counseling offers hope to all kinds of troubled youth. Teens who struggle with personality disorders, emotional trauma, psychological disorders and/or learning disabilities, are all great candidates for counseling. These types of teens are often times, in desperate need for some type of counseling, and if some form of counseling is not achieved, are at high risk of fateful, dire consequences. These consequences may include drug addiction, imprisonment, or in some cases, even death.
, disciplinary measures or the consequences × Consequences
n. noun con·se·quences The Merriam- Webster dictionary provides the following definitions for consequences: 1.the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier: The accident was the consequence of reckless driving. 2.an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome. Consequences is a prevalent issue in the life of a troubled teen. Troubled adolescents who suffer from negative consequences, do so because of their poor decision making. Whatever choice a teenage boy or girl decides to make, a consequence of that decision will soon follow. If a teen chooses to make productive choices in life, he/she will reap the benefits of positive consequences. However, if a teen makes poor choices such as, abuse drugs and alcohol, skipping class, hanging out with the wrong crowd or disobeying parents and authority, that teen will reap negative consequences. Negative consequences such as, legal troubles, being grounded from parents, or getting kicked out of school due to inactivity or rebelliousness, are all viable and likely negative consequences a teen will experience if he or she is making poor choices.
of repeated encounters with law enforcement are the best candidates for residential treatment centers × Residential treatment centers
The Medical Dictionary defines residential treatment centers as, " Psychiatry Health care provided at a live-in facility to a person with emotional disorders who requires continuous medication and/or supervision or relief from environmental stresses." A residential treatment center is a temporary home for those seeking help with a therapeutic, or emotional ailment or rehabilitation. Individuals enrolled in a residential treatment center, receive personal care, attending groups and individual therapy sessions, training classes specific to the facility and perhaps a way to transition back into the 'real world.' Each residential treatment center is operated for the purpose of serving a specific population, providing solutions to the problems encountered. Have a question? Get an answer from a doctor now! When pertaining to troubled teens, residential treatment centers offer hope to emotionally and behaviorally struggling adolescents. Teens who display out of control, negative behaviors at home, suffer from mental and emotional disorders, or are currently battling addictions, are all good candidates for residential treatment.
. The average length of stay in a residential program for most teens is six months but some teens may require a year or more to resolve deep-seated psychological issues. While residing 24/7 at a residential treatment center, teens participate in daily individual and group counseling, academic studies and holistic projects such as art, journal writing and outdoor activities. Sometimes referred to as boarding schools, residential treatment centers offer a highly structured environment × Environment
n.noun en·vi·ron·ment The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines environment as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. A person's environment, or social surroundings, have an enormous impact on the way that person thinks and operates. If a person is surrounded by negativity, he/she is more likely to replicate that negativity and display negative behaviors in other areas of life. The environment of a troubled teen can often be the root cause or factor in the troubled adolescent's negative behavior. When an impressionable teenage boy or girl is surrounded by negative peers, it is common for these teens to develop negative behaviors themselves. It is for this reason that parents should be aware of their child's social surroundings and environmental influences. If a teenage boy or girl is troubled, a total change in their environment may be in order. By replacing a troubled teen's negative environment with that of a therapeutic, nurturing and rehabilitative environment, troubled adolescents are able to emotional, therapeutic and behavioral restoration.
in which teens learn how to manage poor impulse control × Impulse Control
Impulse Control /im·pulse/ /con·trol/ Impulse control is defined as the power to influence or direct one self’s behavior or the course of events when a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act arises. Impulse control deals hand in hand with self-discipline and is a respectable quality to possess. It is the ability to resist a temptation, urge or impulse that may harm one-self or others. Impulse control is psychological and may be the single most important indicator of a person's future in terms of a number of friends, school performance, and future employment. Studies have shown that those with better impulse control and self-discipline have found more success in life. In specific areas such as academics, wealth, and also marriage compared to those that have poor impulse control. Those who can wait for larger rewards even when faced with immediate smaller rewards show the ability of impulse control.
, change negative thought patterns and develop a different perspective on their lives and reality.

Advantages of residential treatment centers for troubled teens include:

• Provides a safe, therapeutic environment that prevents teens from being negatively influenced by harmful peers × Peers
  Peers /peer/ Peers are the people of which a person associates. Peers have a strong influence on person’s thoughts, actions, and will also play a key part in how a person develops and will determine who a person will become. Peers always have an influence but occur especially in a person’s youth. Parents should make it a priority to inform children of how important their peer group is on them. Discussions about this topic can help to prevent children from choosing friends that could lead them down dangerous paths. Peers who involve themselves in negative behaviors will begin to oppose school and parents and can also influence others in the peer group to do the same. It is important to support the finding of positively influential peers for children. However, peers can also help uplift others to strive to become better and want success. Those are the peers you should surround yourself with and also your children.
  
• 24/7 access to experienced therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who are trained to quickly recognize and address unresolved emotional problems in troubled youth
• Teens can develop positive relationships with other kids who have similar problems. Being able to share thoughts and feelings with peers who understand “where they are coming from” is a vital part of the healing process
• Parents can speak to residential treatment center faculty on a daily basis and are encouraged to participate in family therapy × Therapy
  n.noun ther·a·py Therapy is a treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder or disease. Therapy generally consists of two kinds: medical and psychotherapy. Medical therapies treat diseases of the human body such as cancer. Psychotherapies treat the mind of therapeutically or emotionally damaged individuals. Different Types of Psychotherapy: - Psychoanalytic Therapy - Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - Group Therapy - Behavior modification - Biofeedback - Collaborative therapy - Family therapy - Marriage counseling - Music therapy - Parent management training - Relationship counseling - Social Therapy - Systemic therapy - Therapeutic community - Twelve-step programs - Wilderness therapy Therapy for troubled teens has become an increasingly popular opportunity for troubled adolescents today. Therapies are offered at many services for troubled teens such as, wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment programs and boarding schools for troubled youth. The most effective type of therapy greatly depends on the individual teen and what psychological and emotional issues the particular adolescent struggles with.
  sessions with their teen

To learn more about the dynamics of a residential treatment center for your teen, please contact Zion Educational Systems today.

Wilderness Therapy Programs for Troubled Youth

Similar to a residential treatment program in that teens live away from their home for several months, wilderness therapy × Wilderness therapy
Wilderness therapy programs are a therapeutic option for troubled teens located outdoors, that assist youth in treating various behavioral and psychological disorders. One expert describes wilderness therapy: "wilderness therapy is the use adventure-based activities and/or adventure-based theory to provide people with emotional and/or behavioral problems with experiences which lead to positive change in their lives." Wilderness therapy is relatively popular among parents of troubled teens, and is considered alternate choice to services such as, programs and boarding schools for troubled teens. Wilderness therapy is becoming an increasingly popular choice among parents of troubled teens. However, like most treatment options, one size does not fit all. Parents interested in sending their child to a wilderness program need to be aware of other options as well. It is crucial to do all the research necessary when deciding on a treatment for troubled teens.
is rapidly becoming one of the most effective and popular methods of addressing behavioral problems in adolescents × Adolescents
Adolescents /ad.o.les.cent/ n.Noun The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term adolescent as a young person living in the transitional period between the years of puberty and adulthood until they reach the age of full maturity. Adolescents or teenagers, are living in a turbulent and trying time in a person's lifetime. If ill prepared, teens may flounder or display negative behaviors at home. Adolescents are prone to negative behaviors such as, drug and alcohol abuse and other chemical dependencies, sexual misconduct or acting out, failing grades at school and disrespect towards authority. It is for this reason that parents of adolescents need to be particularly mindful when they reach their teenage years. If a teenager is struggling during thus time of adolescence it, is crucial for parents to seek the right care for their son or daughter.    During this time, people are typically more susceptible to negative behaviors and dangerous habits.
. Wilderness therapy involves a group of teens and professional counselors living together at a base camp where everyone is expected to share responsibilities, such as making a campfire, cleaning utensils, cooking food and building shelters. Studies investigating the efficacy of wilderness therapy have found that teenagers respond more productively to the consequences of their negative behaviors when confronted with survival struggles. For example, if tasks like gathering firewood or catching fish for supper is assigned to a teen and the teen refuses to do these tasks, they will suffer the consequences of causing everyone–including themselves–to be cold, hungry and in the dark.

Overall, wilderness therapy programs have been shown to help significantly reduce anxiety × Anxiety
  anx·i·ety n.noun Merriam- Webster dictionary defines anxiety as: : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it Anxiety is a very common ailment that almost everyone experiences on an almost daily basis. However, anxiety effects some more than others and can cause severe emotional distress that is too much for an individual to handle. When anxiety plagues an individual so severely that it becomes a disorder, it is crucial that this individual receives therapeutic and emotional restoration in the form of psychological and therapeutic assistance. Teens who experience abnormal amounts of anxiety, tend to self medicate with intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol. When negative, self medication takes place, teens are at great risk of developing harmful coping mechanisms that may be life-long lasting. Anxiety /anx.i.e.ty/ n.Noun Anxiety is defined as the state of uneasiness or tension caused by the feeling of worry or nervousness caused by apprehension of possibilities of the future. Anxiety is a common emotional trait that many people face.  It affects our actions and can prevent us from making decisions.  Usually anxiety holds us back from the types of things that are outgoing or out of our comfort zone and it brings fear. Anxiety is a normal experience for most people and is a normal part of life.  However, when the anxiety reaches the level of a disorder then it can be dangerous.  This would include an intense, extensive, excessive and persistent worry or fear.  Another factor that is caused by an anxiety disorder can be anxiety, fear, or terror attacks when the intensity of anxiety becomes very high.  Types of anxiety disorders can include: social anxiety, separation anxiety and many different phobias etc.  
, depression × Depression
Depression /de·pres·sion/ Depression is defined as a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Statistics has shown that diagnosis of depression is growing at a very dangerous rate. Globally, depression affects over 350 million people of all ages. Depression has been linked to other negative health outcomes, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Compared to those not affected by depression those who face it are more likely to be unemployed and have a higher chance of divorce. Most people that suffer from depression do not seek care or attention. Since this is a global issue, many efforts are made to help those who are suffering depression. It is important for those that face depression to find help so that they can overcome this plague that millions of people face.
, impulsivity × Impulsivity
Impulsivity has been variously defined as behavior without adequate thought, the tendency to act with less forethought than do most individuals of equal ability and knowledge, or a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli without regard to the negative consequences of these reactions. Impulsivity is associated with many different psychiatric disorders including mania, personality disorders and substance abuse disorders. However, there is significant disagreement among researchers regarding the definition and credibility of impulsivity and how it should be measured, if at all. The onset for impulsivity for teens is usually between the ages of 12 and 13 and may be associated with lack of inhibition control in the brain. If at age 15-16 lack of impulse control suddenly appears, this is thought to be late onset and usually will correct itself around ages 18-19. Late onset impulse control is usually due to peer pressure. It is important to define where your teen falls on this spectrum to determine the type of care or supervision that may be needed.
and symptoms of conduct disorders. In addition, teens who successfully complete a wilderness therapy program go on to improve both academically and socially. In many cases, many wilderness therapy graduates demonstrate near normal to normal psychological and/or behavioral functioning in six month follow-up reports documented by their psychologists.

Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

While residential treatment centers and wilderness therapy programs provide the most benefit for teens with conduct disorders, therapeutic boarding schools × Therapeutic boarding schools
Therapeutic boarding schools are A therapeutic boarding school (TBS), alternatively known as boarding schools for troubled teens, is a boarding school based on the therapeutic community model that offers an educational program together with specialized structure and supervision for students with emotional and behavioral problems, substance abuse problems, or learning difficulties. Therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens, much like a regular boarding school, require students to stay for a duration of 9- 12 months out of the year. While focusing on therapeutic rehabilitation, students also participate with their studies, as they would at a traditional boarding school. As of 2005, the United states reportedly had 140 therapeutic boarding schools. As of today, there are close to 300. Therapeutic boarding schools are widely considered to be the teenage equivalent of residential treatment centers. The main difference between the two is therapeutic boarding schools' emphasis on education as well as therapeutic and behavioral rehabilitation.
tend to address academic and emotional issues seen in adolescents with ADHD, Asperger’s and certain developmental learning disorders × Learning Disorders
Learning disorders /learn·ing / / dis·or·der/ n. Noun Learning disorder is defined as the mental complication with the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught Learning disorders occur in very young children but are usually not recognized until the child reaches school age. Many times if a child is failing or struggling in their schooling the problem can be linked to a learning disorder. There are many tests for these types of disorders to help find the diagnosis. If learning is beginning or seems to be an issue, these types of tests will help clarify what is happening A learning disability is a life-long neurobiological disorder that affects the manner in which individuals with potentially normal or above average intelligence select, retain and express information. Many disorders are under the classification of “learning disabilities.” These disorders are all similar in the fact that they deal with the affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information.
. Parents of teens who have not been involved with law enforcement, exhibited aggressive behavior or shown severe symptoms of a conduct disorder might consider researching therapeutic programs provided by boarding schools.

What are Court-ordered Troubled Youth Programs?

Teens who repeatedly break the law and find themselves reappearing before juvenile judges may be mandated to attend court-ordered programs for troubled youth. These “programs” are not residential treatment centers, boarding schools or wilderness therapy programs. Instead, they are most likely privately owned boot camps × Boot camps
The Merriam- Webster dictionary provided the following definitions for boot camps: A military training camp for new recruits, with strict discipline. a prison for youthful offenders, run on military lines." a short, intensive, and rigorous course of training." Boot camps are also utilized by parents of troubled teens. These boot camps, or brat camps as they are sometimes known as, offer the strict discipline and intense physical training that traditional boot camps offer. When referring to the treatment of troubled teens, boot camps have recently become an a treatment option for parents to consider. Boot camps are often times utilized by parents of teens who display out of control behaviors and are desperate for assistance in treating their child's abnormal, negative behaviors. The overall effectiveness of these types of treatment programs have been heavily scrutinized by therapeutic and mental health professionals. Boot camps are generally considered as a "quick fix," and offer little or no long lasting changes.
resembling adult prisons or military boot camps. Decades of research studies have shown that boot camps are no place for teens with serious mental health × Mental health
Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”1 It is estimated that only about 17% of U.S adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health. The mental health in teenage boys and girls is a crucial issue and concern for parents. Teens, for a variety of reasons, tend to struggle with mental health more than adults or children who have not yet reached their teens. This is because of the turbulent time that comes with adolescence and the individual teen's inability to cope with said turbulence. Parents of troubled teens who struggle with mental health issues, actually have a plethora of treatment options to choose from. The type of treatment option that best fits the individual teen, greatly depends on the individual teens mental health issues.
problems. People who run boot camps typically have no educational background or clinical experience regarding abnormal adolescent behavior. In fact, many boot camps have been shut down over the past 20 years due to their abusive methods of “treating” troubled teens.

Programs for Troubled Girls vs Programs for Troubled Boys

Adolescent girls and boys may be diagnosed with the same behavioral and psychological issues but the way a teen boy or teen girl “acts out” their problems may require highly individualized treatment programs. An example of special programs for troubled girls may include psychotherapy and medical interventions for teen girls with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Alternately, special programs for troubled boys × Troubled boys
Troubled boys are adolescent males who show little or no respect towards authority, are involved with negative peer groups, display unhealthy behavior and are incapable of handling situational problems in a healthy, mature manner. Teenage boys who are deemed, 'troubled,' tend to struggle with issues such as, failing grades, drug/alcohol addiction, mood swings, negative relationships and friendships, and openly show disdain for any type of authority figure. Troubled boys who struggle and are considered troubled are at high risk of experiencing dire, negative consequences. If negative behaviors of troubled teen boys are left unchecked, the individual teen's behavior will more than likely progress and continue on well into adulthood. It is imperative for parents of troubled boys to seek help immediately in correcting their child's behavioral patterns. Fortunately for parents of troubled boys, there is a myriad of solutions, in terms of treatment, for them to choose from. Troubled teen behavioral solutions such as, boarding schools, group homes, and residential therapy programs for troubled teens, are all viable and popular choices among parents of trouble boys.
may include counseling for video game addictions. However, both types of programs address behaviors common to troubled teens, such as refusing to go to school, defying parents, engaging in illegal activity and poor impulse control.

Outpatient Treatment Programs for Teens

Parents of teens who are just starting to present signs of behavioral problems may consider an outpatient treatment program that allows the teen to continue living at home. Outpatient programs provide counseling and therapy during the day, after school or on weekends if applicable. Adolescents benefiting the most from OTPs are those who have been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder × Personality Disorder
n. noun /per·son·al·i·ty/ /dis·or·der/ The official psychiatric manual, the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition), defines a personality disorder as an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that differs markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment. Personality disorders are a long-standing and maladaptive pattern of perceiving and responding to other people and to stressful circumstances. Types of Personality disorders - Avoident Personality Disorder: Fearful of rejection and extremely shy. - Borderline Personality Disorder: Exterme mood swings, inappropriate friendships and relationships, sometimes burn or cut themselves on purpose and are more likely to threaten to kill themselves. - Dependent Personality Disorder : Extreme fear of being alone, have difficulty making decisions and are more likely women than men. Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Imagine unrealistic personal success, are manipulative in relationships and care mainly for themselves. Troubled teens who suffer from personality disorders such as these, are more likely to develop negative behaviors such as, sexually acting out and/or drug addiction.
, bipolar disorder and autism × Autism
Merriam - Webster's Dictionary defines autism A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by severe deficits in social interaction and communication, by an extremely limited range of activities and interests, and often by the presence of repetitive, stereotyped behaviors.
spectrum disorders. Teens with oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder respond better to living in the structured environment of a residential treatment center or wilderness therapy program.

Zion Educational Systems has helped many parents find the right kind of treatment program for their teen. We understand how difficult it can be to realize your child needs more help than you can give them. Please call today to learn more about the different programs for troubled youth.