Treatment for Troubled Teens

Teens face many problems that, in some cases, parents are ill-equipped to handle. These problems may include depression, pregnancy, drug usage, or even mental disorders. As a result, their actions and behavior can affect their performance at school, their interactions with others and even their health and safety. Troubled teens may display anger and defiance, impulsiveness, or low self-esteem. They may become disrespectful, overly sexual, or run away from home. Understanding that treatment for troubled teens is an available option will allow parents to give their teenagers the help that they deserve.

Benefits of Treatment for Troubled Teens

There are treatment centers that can help your teen.

There are various benefits to treatment, depending on the type of treatment for troubled teens. Some can help teens become more confident and increase their self-esteem. Others may inspire teens to express themselves in less destructive ways, teach them how to handle difficult situations, or encourage them to socialize or interact with a more positive group of friends.

Why Choose Treatment for a Troubled Teen

Many guardians and parents find that handling a troubled teen is beyond their ability. They are aware that failure to successfully help them may result in a situation that is difficult if not impossible to recover from. For this reason they seek treatment from professionals who are trained to detect, confront and help overcome destructive behavior and tendencies. In other cases, the court system might order treatment for troubled teens as an alternative to juvenile hall. This is meant to divert the child from continuing along a destructive path that could lead to a future of crime, incarceration or even death.

Types of Treatment for Troubled Teens

The best type of treatment depends on the teen and the problems that are affecting him or her. Treatment programs include boot camps and wilderness programs, residential treatment centers and therapeutic boarding schools, military prep schools, and out-patient therapy or counseling. Some of these treatments are short-term and aggressive, such as boot camp and wilderness programs. Other treatment methods involve sending children away to facilities where they must live for a time and may even be under a lock-down situation where they are unable to leave. This is typically for children who are resistant to treatment or who prove a danger to others and themselves. With out-patient therapy or counseling the teen is not sent away from home. This option is best for teens who are receptive to treatment and includes group or family therapy, dance therapy, or private counseling sessions.

The Role of Counseling, Therapy and Aftercare for Troubled Teens

Therapy and counseling are both important when it comes to treatment for troubled teens. Their purpose is to help the teen understand how and why their behavior is harmful to themselves and others. It also gives teens a forum to discuss their thoughts and feelings. Through the course of successful therapy, teens will learn how to better cope with their emotions, interact with others and learn productive ways to react to dangerous or destructive thoughts or situations. Aftercare is equally as important as therapy. Facing problems and situations after treatment is often difficult for teens who need continued positive encouragement and guidance. Aftercare helps teens transition from a controlled environment, such as a residential treatment center, back to their lives at home and at school.

Without treatment troubled teens face a future of uncertainty and difficulty. Their actions and behavior can potentially be harmful to themselves and to others. Parents who understand the types and benefits of therapy can take the right steps to help their teen overcome these problems and make the right choices.