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The Troubled Teen Industry / What about "Carlbrook School"?
« on: April 10, 2005, 03:10:00 AM »
My son graduated from Carlbrook school after completing their 15 month program. Skeptical as I am, and frightened as I was to send my child away, I have not a single doubt about the integrity of the school. It was a hard place to be - no TV, no computer, no drugs, sex, and rock n roll... but the people there were the most compassionate, nurturing people, and the best therapists I've encountered in my career as a parent and as an educator/counselor. My son maintians close friendships with both students and staff and is now doing very well in college.
Is there an element of mind contol? Yeah, I think there is. The kids are isolated from everything but the school's philosophy. But the philosophy - having integrity, being a trustworthy friend, working hard, being true to yourself - is worth giving up the freedom to be an alienated teenager who is going down the tubes.
The answer is, yes there are good schools out there. But just like I wouldn't send my kids to a preschool I hadn't visited, I went to visit schools in person, talked to staff and kids, and talked to people I trust.
Definitely do not be swayed by slick websites, and my advice is avoid both the big corporate-owned schools and the mom and pop "We'll love him into health with the help of God" groups.
Like everything else in this world, you have to be savvy and ask the right questions and have a really good idea of what you're looking for.
Good luck.
Is there an element of mind contol? Yeah, I think there is. The kids are isolated from everything but the school's philosophy. But the philosophy - having integrity, being a trustworthy friend, working hard, being true to yourself - is worth giving up the freedom to be an alienated teenager who is going down the tubes.
The answer is, yes there are good schools out there. But just like I wouldn't send my kids to a preschool I hadn't visited, I went to visit schools in person, talked to staff and kids, and talked to people I trust.
Definitely do not be swayed by slick websites, and my advice is avoid both the big corporate-owned schools and the mom and pop "We'll love him into health with the help of God" groups.
Like everything else in this world, you have to be savvy and ask the right questions and have a really good idea of what you're looking for.
Good luck.