Parents of troubled teens often agonize over whether to send their child away to a therapeutic boarding school. They don't want to abandon the child who needs them the most. They are afraid if the therapeutic boarding school does not succeed, they may have used up their last hope of finding a solution. Then they find Mount Bachelor Academy - and their fears are put to rest. more...
* Therapeutic Boarding Schools Promote Genuine Change in Struggling Teens
Personal growth and change by choice are common themes at therapeutic boarding schools. Rather than faking compliance and returning to old behaviors a few weeks later, change happens gradually as a result of an authentic, internal shift in the adolescent. more...
* Ten Creative Ways to Pay for Therapeutic Boarding School
Therapeutic boarding school isn't cheap, but it is an investment that pays dividends for life. Read how some families have been able to afford boarding school for their struggling teens. more...
* Boarding Schools Provide Support to Struggling Girls
Deciding to send your daughter to a boarding school can be a difficult process. But on campuses in Henderson, North Carolina, and Bend, Oregon, New Leaf Academy offers a unique and supportive private boarding school environment for young girls (ages 10 to 14) who are having problems in school or at home. more...
* ADHD and GIRLS: What Parents Need to Know
When you think of ADHD, you probably think of common symptoms such as hyperactive, disruptive or impulsive behavior, mild aggression or trouble concentrating. Many of the typical signs of ADHD actually tend to be more common in boys - one reason it's sometimes harder to diagnose ADHD in girls. more...
* Activities at Therapeutic Boarding Schools Create Well-Rounded Teens
Participation in a range of extracurricular activities like choir, sports, music, and fencing helps teens in private boarding school broaden their skills, develop competence, learn teamwork, and feel a sense of accomplishment. more...
* Rekindling Teenagers' Love of Learning
Therapeutic boarding schools offer teens a unique opportunity to establish the academic resume and educational foundation that will allow them to go forward with confidence. more...
* The Therapeutic Benefits of Journaling
Journaling can help individuals detangle their thoughts and feelings, increase focus, know themselves better, build self-esteem, manage stress, solve problems more effectively, let go of the past, and resolve disagreements or conflicts with others. Experts believe that by understanding yourself better, you are better able to make decisions that are in line with your values and goals. more...
Therapeutic Boarding Schools
Therapeutic boarding schools combine the traditions and academics of regular boarding schools with intense therapeutic interventions to help troubled teenagers. The average stay is usually a full school year. Scientific outcome studies of these schools indicate that most students maintain or continue to improve on a long-term basis after they leave their programs.
Most therapeutic boarding schools are for high school students, but there are a few for middle school students and those ages 17½ to 24 years old. Many are co-ed, but single-sex institutions are becoming more popular.
Most therapeutic boarding schools are highly structured with set times for classes, meals, homework, therapy, exercise, outings and sleep. In the best programs, students are under constant supervision with staff members guiding them throughout the day. Therapeutic boarding schools are often in rural settings, allowing students to explore nature and enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking, swimming, skiing, camping and so forth.
Counselors work with students in individual and group sessions, but a good program offers "experiential therapy" as well. Experiential therapy involves learning through experience, and is particularly effective with young people. Working with animals such as horses, rabbits and dogs helps a troubled teen connect with nurturing and love. Participating in art, music, drama, dance or writing becomes an outlet for pent-up emotions. Some therapeutic schools teach students calming techniques such as deep breathing exercises, visualization, and yoga.
Students who enroll in therapeutic schools often have substance abuse issues. They benefit by getting out of their old environments and away from negative peer groups, and by living where alcohol or drugs are not available. While they are in therapeutic boarding schools, they may work a 12-Step program or its equivalent, learn about the addiction process, and master techniques that help them deal with triggers and relapses once they get home.
Other students have diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Asperger's Syndrome, autism, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety and depression. Specialized therapists work intensively with such students in those areas where they need the most help. Depending on the individual, this might be mastering social skills, controlling mood swings, or finding new ways of coping with anxiety, anger, and other such feeling states.
Some students enroll in therapeutic boarding schools because they have behavioral issues such as anger management, or psychological problems around issues such as adoption, family conflict, divorce or negative peer pressure. Therapists help such students understand their conflicts, learn better ways to communicate and interact with others, and how to set positive goals for their lives.
Many students enter therapeutic boarding schools with records of academic failure. Often when they address their emotional problems, they perform better as students. Therapeutic boarding schools use specialized educational tools and techniques designed to help students with specific problems. For example, having shorter class sessions and teaching organization helps students with Attention Deficit Disorder. Some schools offer credit recovery programs where students can earn academic credits faster than in a traditional public school.
A good program should have a long intake process that involves psychological testing, interviews with both parents and teens, and reports from teachers and counselors in the home environment. Therapists should be working with family members on a regular basis when the child is away at school. There should be a strong after-care component to help the students keep improving once they leave the schools. Therapeutic boarding schools can be expensive, but they have worked miracles for many families.
