Knowing what to do when your adolescent is struggling with their mental health can be challenging. If you’re a parent whose teen has a substance abuse issue, is facing mental health challenges, or is having behavioral issues, you are far from alone. The good news is that there are residential treatment centers and trained therapists out there who can help. To learn more about the benefits of residential treatment centers for teens, read on.
Not Alone
One of the best things a residential treatment center can do for any teen struggling with any mental health, addiction, or behavioral issue is to show them that they are not alone. In fact, getting your teen help in residential treatment for teens through a personalized treatment program like Polaris Teen can be a great way to give your teen hope.
Like it or not, the truth is that teenagers are naturally impressionable. This age group relies on the input of peers when it comes to defining themselves. In being surrounded by other teens facing challenges and issues with self-esteem and having the courage to work on themself, your child will be more likely to open up than they would be in a group of adults or even with family.
In residential centers, teens receive a combination of group and individual therapy treatments. Each child has their own treatment plan made just for them by a team of doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists. With so many people focused on helping them, teens in these programs know they have support to make positive life changes.
Future Support Network
Attending a residential program comes with the additional benefit of support post-treatment. Many teens make lifelong friends during treatment. Others are connected to important support groups and networks that help a teenager transition back to home and school. These groups can be instrumental for a teenager’s success after residential placement.
Some teens move from residential treatment to intensive outpatient services and find that their transition is easier due to knowing other kids facing the same challenges as them and hearing their stories of getting through a therapy program.
Expert Professionals
Some parents struggle with the idea of sending a child to treatment because they aren’t sure their teen should leave the familiarity of home. The reality is that most parents can be included in their child’s treatment through family therapy with a trained MFT who often works out of the residential inpatient treatment facility. This licensed professional with training specific to families and group dynamics will be able to give your child tools to take charge of their life and communicate their wants and needs within the system in a healthy way. They can also give you tools to support your child through these challenging times.
Every child craves unconditional love and support from their parents. If you’re considering sending your child to residential treatment, you’ll be able to explain to them why their mental wellness is important to you while giving them the message that you stand behind them. Even when making a decision to send your child to a mental health center is difficult, it’s important to remember that you’ll be giving your teen their best chance of success if they spend time focused on their own mental wellness.
At the end of the day, understanding the benefits of treatment for teens could be enough to help you and your teen through life’s challenges. Finding the courage to make that first phone call to the nearest hospital or outpatient clinic could be your first step in showing ongoing support for the teen you love. Best of luck to you and the young adult in your life as you work together for better mental health.
