Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Troubled Teen Industry
Second Nature Wilderness Program
Troll Control:
--- Quote ---On 2006-03-22 08:53:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Eudora,
I believe I do have first hand knowledge. I had a kid there for 12 weeks. I spent 36 hours in the woods with her when it was over. I met with her threrapist with my child present for hours during the transition phase and kept in constant contact with the therapist during the stay. We had regular one hour/ weekly phone conferences and e-mail at anytime. Plus, we had the therapist's personal cell number to call. My kid was promoted to the highest phase (Air) and though she says the program was physically challenging at times, she thinks it is the most worthwhile thing she's done in her life. She has a sense of accomplishment and, like it or not, it was a great thing for her. Some kids aren't mature enough to take advantage of a golden opportunity. Mine was, and though she went willingly, she still thanks her father (we are divorced) for sending her. I was not in favor of sending her there and then I saw the results and realized I was mistaken. It is an excellent program for some but obviously some kids can't be reached."
--- End quote ---
I'm glad you had a good experience and it was wothwhile for your kid. That's great.
One thing I do take issue with is the statement that "some kids can't be reached." It is true, but it's unfair to say that because WILDERNESS didn't help them that they're unreachable.
The fact of the matter is that WT programs are only effective for a VERY NARROW segment of the population they serve. It's patently obvious that anyone with any real problems (mental health issues that reach the clinical threshold) will not be helped by this type of program.
The problem with these places is that they claim to be able to treat almost any problem from ADD to ODD to depression and more. They can't.
The truth is if your kid was helped, it is your kid who is the statistical anomaly, not the one who didn't benefit.
Anonymous:
2N does not claim to FIX a kid. They know that wilderness is just the first step- but it is an important first step. The reason kids do NOT succeed is frequently because they go home and resume their same habits after wilderness. Wilderness is the ambulance that gets the kid to where they need to go next. If a kid's family had the resources to leave him in the woods for a year or so (and education could be accomplished) there would probably be much less need for the TBSs. I would say the short-term success rate for wilderness (improving family dynamics, breaking the pattern of substance abuse, making in-roads on the emotional issues) is extremely high.
Anonymous:
--- Quote ---Wilderness is the ambulance that gets the kid to where they need to go next.
--- End quote ---
And where might that be?
Anonymous:
It depends on the kid. Some kids go back home and do fine. Some go to traditional boarding schools. Some go to TBS. Second Nature doesn't take all kids. For exmple, they will not take a kid with an eating disorder. My kid thinks all teens would benefit from Second Nature. But, some are just too reisitant to anything.
Anonymous:
But they will take a kid who cuts himself. How do you think wilderness will help that? I am curious where your child went after the wilderness.
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