Entrusting your most precious treasure in life, your child, to just anyone, is not an option. However, sometimes you come to a point where you have to find help from someone more experienced, because things at home have become too difficult to handle on your own.
Maybe your child is struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, using substances, getting in trouble at school, or even the law. Maybe there is some other behavioral, emotional or cognitive adversity that keeps him or her from thriving.
You know there is so much potential in their future… if you could just get them through this most difficult stage of life. Their own pain is affecting everyone in the family, often causing marital difficulties, feelings of neglect from the other children and discontent.
This is where therapeutic programs can be a life-changing experience. They can offer a more optimistic outlook for your child’s future. But, you don’t want just any program. Like all fields of work, there are some good ones and not-so-good ones. When this is about your child, a wrong choice could be profound.
I personally travel the country on a consistent basis to first-handedly know programs. Especially within the adolescent and young adult ages, programs are very specific about what they treat, and with the highest caliber clinical teams in the mental health industry. It is important to feel completely confident in the mental health treatment programs you choose.
Look for at least these 5 signs for a reputable and safe program
- Accreditation or licensing – Look for accreditation by reputable organizations, like The Joint Commission, or Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), who ensure internationally recognized organizational and program standards.
- Highly qualified staff – You will want to make sure the staff is trained, educated and experienced in working with kids, teens, and/or young adults. This includes staff members, licensed therapists, licensed social workers, directors and medical professionals. There should also be a low staff-to-child ratio.
- Positive reviews and testimonials – These reviews and testimonials should come from other parents and students who have attended the program. Reviews and testimonials, especially in this regard, should not come from the internet.
- Stringent safety protocols – These protocols should include clear emergency procedures, as well as staff training in crisis management, and ironclad policies against abuse and neglect. In addition, know their level of cleanliness. Visit in person if you are able and if not, rely on you therapeutic consultant to know this.
- Individualized treatment plans – Each child should have their own individualized treatment plan that addresses emotional, behavioral, social, and educational needs of the child. A one-size-fits-all approach is not acceptable.
While we are on the subject, here are a few reason to pass on a program:
Avoid therapeutic programs with these issues.
- High staff turnover – When there is high staff turnover, that is a sign that there are not enough staff members, the staff is not equipped to handle the potential difficulties their clients present with, or work conditions are not conducive to a positive environment.
- Reports of abuse or neglect – You can check local and federal court records, and check with professional organizations, like the American Psychological Association (APA) or the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).
- Very little, or no family involvement – The family’s involvement will be crucial for long-term success of the child’s therapeutic interventions.
- One size fits all programming – Therapeutic programs that don’t offer assessments to determine the best strategies to fit your child, and don’t offer individualized care, will most likely not result in long-term improvements.
When You Don’t Know Where Else To Turn
Therapeutic programs can be exactly what your family needs when you don’t know where else to turn. These struggles affect the dynamics of the entire family, not just the child with the crisis. Everyone in the family is under the crisis and the best programs offer support for your child, as well as strategies to improve your whole family dynamic as you learn new skills and techniques for communication and connection. They offer a future of hope and realized potential.
As a parent, you want the very best for your child. Finding a best-fit therapeutic program can be a daunting task. If you would like help in making this process easier, reach out for a free discovery call with us at Therapeutic Educational Consulting.
Resources:
- New York Times: Paris Hilton Testifies Before Congress
- The Joint Commission
- CARF: Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
- APA: American Psychological Association
- NATSAP: National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
- APA: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Harvard Health: Dialectical Behavior Therapy: What is it and who can it help?