Teen Treatment Programs - What to Expect From Middle to End
In the previous article we discussed the steps leading up to being in a youth treatment program. Choosing a program, applying, transporting the student, and the check-in process were discussed. To read that article, please follow the link in the additional resources links below.
In this article we will discuss what happens after the initial check-in process. There are many differences between home life and the structure of a treatment program. No matter what kind of program you decided on, this article will talk about the common ground among all of them.
Once your child is checked in to a troubled youth program they will need to pass a simple quiz on the rule and expectations of the program. It is in the best interest of the student, program, and parents for this education to take place early on. Most rules are self explanatory and some rules are a very interesting. These interesting rules are the result of years of experience with creative teens trying to break and stretch rules. A good rule of thumb is to match your teen as close as possible to the program that will help them the most. There will be many more strange rules at a treatment center for teens with eating disorders and to an outsider they wouldnt make sense at all. Take this into consideration when there seems to be a rule that doesnt make sense.
The student is then introduced to their unit, clan, or group. Most treatment programs try to regulate the group size. An average size is anywhere from 5 to 12. In the years I worked in these programs I never worked with groups larger than 12. One thing to consider with the program you choose is the staff to student ratio. Some programs have a rule of 1 staff to three students (this is high). Others might have 1 staff to 12 students. Depending on the maturity of the students the more or less staff might be on duty. I (as a staff and manager) prefer higher ratios to lower. Most of the students are good 99% of the time but that 1% incident can be terribly destructive.
After they meet their peers and their staff they usually meet with you (the parent) and with teen together. In this meeting past issues are covered, goals are set, and the healing process begins. Due to the fact that the teen is confused, disoriented, and angry this first meeting might not be very productive. Dont worry though in the future youll both look back and see how far youve come.
As time goes on, the program will give more privileges to the student. As they progress they get special outings, more freedom, and extra rights. Most students work very hard to increase there status and build trust with staff, therapists, and parents. Each program will have a curriculum are base objectives they want their students to achieve. These include behavioral, academic, and relationship goals. As a student reaches milestones these are celebrated and rewarded.
Once a student has met each milestone or has completed the program they are ready for discharge. Most programs avoid telling the student the exact time and date they will be leaving. Through past experience they have found that if a student knows these things they will fake it till they make it. Its very hard to make any progress when the student knows theres a definite end, and that that end isnt a change in behavior but a date. When a date is their only goal to reach they have no incentive to change anything else.
To learn more visit: Treatment for Troubled Teens :: Rules in a Treatment Center :: Reviews of Residential Treatment Centers
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