Where Can I Send My Troubled Teen?

Parents with troubled teens may consider getting them help through outpatient counseling, residential treatment centers, and even wilderness boarding schools. This article will explore the options so families can find one that feels right to them.

Key Takeaways

• Your teen may have mental health issues if they are exhibiting extreme symptoms that are prolonged, interfere with daily life, and potentially cause harm to themselves and others. Fortunately, help is available, but choosing the right type of care is imperative.
• Parents can typically choose between residential and various outpatient treatment options based on the duration and severity of the teen’s symptoms. A clinician will ensure they receive the appropriate level of care.
• Beyond care intensity, parents should also confirm that the clinic they choose is licensed, accredited, provides evidence-based treatments, supports family involvement, offers a continuum of care, provides age-specific treatment, and has a multidisciplinary staff.

Table of Contents

• What Are the Signs Your Teen May Need Professional Help?
• What are Treatment Options for Troubled Teens?
• What Are the Various Treatment Approaches?
• What Should I Look for in Treatment Facilities?
• What Is the Admissions Process Like?
• How Can Parents Support Their Teen Through Treatment?
• Get Your Teen the Care They Require at BNI Treatment Clinics
• FAQs

Introduction

Having a troubled teenager can feel overwhelming for parents, but help is available. Families have many options to consider, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, various levels of care, and even boarding schools. The hard part is deciding which is right for your child.

Professional guidance can help parents find the ideal program, but this article serves as a starting point. It allows you to explore your options so you can provide informed insight in the decision-making process.

What Are the Signs Your Teen May Need Professional Help?

Your teen may need professional help if they exhibit emotional and behavioral signs that go beyond typical teen behavior. Considering behavioral problems affect 8.9% of children aged 3-17 (about 5.5 million, according to a National Library of Medicine research), parents should know what to look out for. Adolescents require care when their issues are prolonged, interfere with daily life, and lead to activities that can harm themselves and others.

• Behavioral Red Flags
  • Increased defiance or refusal to follow rules
  • Aggression toward family members, peers, or authority figures
  • Running away or repeatedly breaking curfew
  • Frequent lying or secretive behavior
  • Legal trouble (theft, vandalism, altercations)
  • Self-harm or talk of self-harm
• Emotional and Mental Health Red Flags
  • Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or withdrawal
  • Extreme mood swings or irritability
  • Signs of anxiety (panic attacks, excessive worry, avoidance)
  • Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
  • Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
  • Expressions of worthlessness or suicidal ideation
• Substance Use Warning Signs
  • Smell of alcohol, marijuana, or other substances
  • Unexplained mood or personality changes
  • Missing money, prescription medications, or alcohol from the home
  • New peer group associated with substance use
  • Physical signs (bloodshot eyes, weight changes, poor hygiene)
• Academic and Social Decline
  • Dropping grades or skipping school
  • Loss of interest in extracurricular activities
  • Withdrawal from longtime friendships
  • Conflict with teachers or school administration
  • Increased isolation or reluctance to leave their room

What are Treatment Options for Troubled Teens?

Troubled teen programs generally include inpatient and outpatient programs, as well as therapeutic boarding schools. Each varies in the approach and intensity, but they generally aim to teach teens life skills and coping strategies so they can deal with mental health issues in a healthy manner. Here are some options families can choose from.

Acute Stabilization/Medical Detoxification

Recommended for teens in crisis mode, this care addresses psychiatric and drug-related episodes. It may include getting your teen to a safe space to avoid self-harm, prescribing medications, or managing withdrawal symptoms. Once young adults are stabilized, they are integrated into a behavior modification program that targets the underlying cause of emotional problems.

Residential Treatment Centers

With residential care, the teen stays in the treatment center 24/7 for a specific time period. It provides highly structured care for troubled youth with severe behavioral issues. Academic support is typically included in the program, ensuring teens don’t fall behind on their schoolwork.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care spans various levels, meeting the teen where they are in the treatment spectrum. Each level can be a step up or down from a previous level of care. Options include:

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

PHP offers a more full-time approach to care. At BNI Treatment Clinics, this means participating in the program six hours a day, five days a week. It offers structure for teens who can adhere to treatment while living at home and can be a primary treatment or a step down from residential care. Due to the rigorous schedule, academic support is included.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Teens attend shorter sessions fewer days each week. For example, BNI’s Los Angeles IOP offers three hours of therapy per day, 3-5 days a week. The program can be a primary form of care, a step down from PHP, or a step up from traditional outpatient services. It offers support for teens who can adhere to treatment with a flexible approach and can be scheduled around school and extracurricular activities.

Aftercare/Traditional Outpatient

Aftercare planning is developed from the start of treatment to support relapse prevention and academic reintegration. Ongoing outpatient therapy is included for emotional regulation, guiding long-term recovery.

Wilderness Boarding Schools

Focused on wilderness therapy, this program requires teens to live in a rustic residential setting, typically for 8-12 weeks. The therapeutic environment removes teens from triggers and requires them to participate in physical challenges (camping, hiking) to build resilience and self-reliance.

What Are the Various Treatment Approaches?

Teens are treated with personalized approaches that typically include family therapy, group therapy, evidence-based care, and holistic practices, as follows:

• Evidence-Based Therapy: Treatment facilities often prioritize evidence-based treatments, like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing, to help teens deal with their emotions in a healthy manner and reduce the risk of outbursts, substance abuse issues, and risky behavior.
• Holistic Practices: Mindfulness practices are often integrated alongside traditional methods in treatment plans to further help struggling teens achieve personal growth.
• Family Therapy: Young people are still heavily integrated in the family system, making family support a priority in treatment programs. Families are brought into therapy sessions to understand more about their teen’s mental and behavioral challenges, and ensure they provide a supportive environment. A PubMed study shows family-based treatment models outperform other approaches in every comparison.
• Group Therapy: Young people are heavily influenced by their peers. Group therapy gives them guidance to model positive behaviors and helps them understand they are not uniquely broken.
• Dual Diagnosis: Mental illness is often an underlying cause of behavioral issues. Dual diagnosis simultaneously treats co-occurring disorders to guide better outcomes.

What Should I Look for in Treatment Facilities?

Parents should look for treatment facilities that are licensed, accredited, have credentialed staff, offer age-specific programs, and provide ongoing support, academic programming, and family involvement.

• Licensing and Accreditation: California clinics like BNI should be licensed under the DHCS Licensing and Certification Division, as well as hold specific licenses based on the care they provide. Accreditation, typically provided by the Joint Commission or CARF, demonstrates that they exceed care standards.
• Credentialed, Multidisciplinary Staff: Staff members should be licensed and oversee various aspects of physical and mental health issues. For example, a well-staffed clinic should employ licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and registered nurses.
• Age-Specific Programs: Programs specifically designed for teens consider their brain development stage and ensure they receive appropriate peer support and academic programming.
• Family Involvement: Considering the importance of family involvement, it should be a priority in every program.
• Evidence-Based, Personalized Care: Clinics should integrate clinically proven therapeutic approaches that are personalized to their personality and goals.
• Ongoing Support: A full continuum of care, with various levels of inpatient and outpatient services and aftercare, ensures a young person can easily transition to the intensity they require as needs evolve. It also ensures they can maintain optimal wellness after the initial stages of treatment are complete.

What Is the Admissions Process Like?

The admissions process typically consists of initial assessment, a clinical evaluation, and insurance verification before starting treatment. Here’s what it looks like at BNI Clinics.

• Initial Assessment: Parents can fill out our online form or call our clinic directly. We will gather information about your teen and discuss treatment options.
• Insurance Verification: During the initial call, we can verify your insurance so you understand what coverage includes.
• Thorough Evaluation: Before starting treatment, we will conduct a thorough medical and mental health evaluation to fully understand your child’s mental health needs and ensure we offer the right approach. We continue with an assessment clinic track throughout treatment, ensuring our programming is suited to evolving needs.

How Can Parents Support Their Teen Through Treatment?

Parents can support teens through treatment by being honest, staying engaged, managing their own stress and guilt, setting realistic expectations, and preparing for the home transition.

• Staying Engaged: Given the importance of family involvement, parents should stay engaged by attending therapy sessions and being open to feedback about their role in family dynamics.
• Managing Stress and Guilt: Parents often experience guilt and self-blame, but they can’t let that interfere with supporting their teen. Support groups and individual therapy can help.
• Setting Realistic Expectations: Recovery isn’t always linear, and there may be setbacks. Parents who discuss expectations with their teens will guide a smoother recovery process.
• Preparing for the Home Transition: Parents can help their teens adjust to the home transition by aligning with the aftercare program, reestablishing rules and routines, and understanding warning signs that indicate their teen may need more advanced care.

Get Your Teen the Care They Require at BNI Treatment Clinics

BNI Clinics offers compassionate support for teens. We provide a range of programs, ensuring a continuum of care that adjusts to adolescent needs. Our treatments are specifically designed with teens in mind, with academic support and a consideration of their developmental stages.

Contact us to schedule a tour and learn how we can help your teen achieve a brighter future.

FAQs

What is the difference between outpatient care and residential programs?

Residential programs provide highly structured, 24/7 care for teens with advanced needs. Outpatient programs allow teens to get treatment while living at home and are available across various levels, meeting teens where they’re at on the care spectrum.

How do I know if my teen needs residential or outpatient care?

The level of care your teen needs depends on the severity and duration of symptoms and associated risks. A clinician will ensure they get the appropriate treatment.

Is family therapy required as part of treatment?

Family therapy is an important part of treatment. Due to individual circumstances, it isn’t always possible. However, at BNI, we make every effort to include it in our offerings.

Does insurance cover teen treatment?

Insurance is available for mental health and behavioral treatment for teens, but plans and coverage vary. BNI provides an insurance verification over the phone, so you understand where coverage applies.

How do I start the admissions process?

Parents can start the admissions process by reaching out to BNI by phone or by filling out an online form. One of our representatives will contact you to discuss your teen’s issues and review treatment options. If you decide to proceed, we will conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure your teen gets personalized care.

Sources

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• BNI Treatment Centers Agoura Hills. StartYourRecovery.org. https://startyourrecovery.org/facility/bni-treatment-centers-agoura-hills
• BNI Treatment Center. Recovery.com. https://recovery.com/bni-treatment-centers/
• Adolescent Treatment Center Los Angeles. BNI Treatment. https://bnitreatment.com/treatment/adolescents/
• The Impact of Family Therapy Participation on Youths and Young Adult Engagement and Retention in a Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Program. NIH/PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10160927/
• A comprehensive and comparative review of adolescent substance abuse treatment outcome. NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK68420/
• Family Involvement in Treatment and Recovery for Substance Use Disorders among Transition-Age Youth. NIH/PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8380649/
• A Cross-sectional Assessment of the Long Term Effects of Brief Strategic Family Therapy for Adolescent Substance Use. NIH/PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855399/
• Facility Licensing. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/providers-partners/facility-licensing/
• Mental Health Licensing & Certification Branch. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/MH-Licensing.aspx
• Mental Health Program Certification Section. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/Mental-Health-Program-Certification-Section.aspx
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