Therapeutic Boarding Schools

More About Therapeutic Boarding Schools

A therapeutic school is a type of alternative school specializing in educating and helping troubled teenagers. A therapeutic boarding school is an educational institution that serves a therapeutic role and has a residential program. A therapeutic residential program might be most beneficial for students whose home lives may not be conducive to healing or for whom round-the-clock monitoring and support are required. Many residential programs are located in rural areas where students can access nature. Some programs also include a twelve-step program to deal with addiction. 

These troubles treated by a therapeutic boarding school can range from behavioral and emotional challenges to cognitive learning challenges that can’t be properly addressed in a traditional school environment. In addition to offering classes, these schools typically provide psychological counseling and mentoring, and activities that are therapeutic in nature. They are often involved with the students on an intense level to help rehabilitate them and restore their mental, physical, and emotional health. There are both therapeutic boarding schools, which have intensive residential programs, and therapeutic day schools, at which students remain at home outside of the school day. Want to learn more about these unique schools and see if they might be right for your child?

Why Students Attend Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Students are enrolled by their parents in a therapeutic school because they have psychological issues, including substance abuse or emotional and behavioral needs. Students sometimes have to attend residential programs or therapeutic boarding schools to have a completely drug-free environment removed from negative influences at home. Other students who attend therapeutic schools have psychiatric diagnoses or learning issues such as: 

Other issues dealt with include:

• • Generalized Anxiety

• • Depression 

• • Mood Disorders

• • Autism Spectrum Disorders

• • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 

• • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

• • Eating concerns

• • Personality disorders

• • Social Anxiety disorders

• • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• • Conduct Disorder

• • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

• • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• • School avoidance concerns

• • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Other therapeutic schools attempt to understand difficult life situations and need stricter environments and healthier strategies. Most students who attend therapeutic schools have faced academic failure in mainstream educational settings and need strategies to help them succeed. Some students in therapeutic programs, particularly in the residential or boarding programs, need to be removed temporarily from their home environments. They are out of control and/or violent. Most students who attend therapeutic schools are in high school, but some schools accept slightly younger children or young adults.

Therapeutic Programs

Therapeutic programs offer students an academic program that also includes psychological counseling. The teachers at these types of programs are generally well versed in psychology, and the programs are typically overseen by a psychologist or other mental health professional. Students in these programs usually attend therapy, either at the school (in residential or boarding schools and programs) or outside school (at day schools). There are therapeutic day schools and therapeutic boarding schools. Students who need a more intensive program with support that extends beyond the typical school day tend to choose boarding programs, and their average stay in these programs is about one year. Students in residential and boarding programs often undergo individual and group counseling as part of the program, and the programs are very structured.

The goal of therapeutic programs is to rehabilitate the student and make him or her healthy psychologically. To this end, many therapeutic schools offer additional therapies such as arts, writing, or working with animals to help students better cope with their psychological issues.

Will my child fall behind academically?

This is a common concern. The majority of therapeutic programs work on behavior, mental issues, and severe learning challenges and aim to help students attain their highest educational potential. Many students in these programs have been unsuccessful in mainstream educational settings, even if they are bright. Therapeutic schools try to help students develop better psychological and academic strategies to achieve results in line with their potential. Many schools continue to offer or arrange help for students even once they return to mainstream settings so that they can make a good transition back to their usual environments. However, some students may benefit from repeating a grade in the traditional environment. Taking on a rigorous course load in the first year back in a mainstream classroom is not always be the best avenue for success. An extra year of study, allowing a student to ease into the mainstream environment, may be the best way to ensure success.

If you cannot deal with your teen’s behavioral or emotional issues and their safety or future is threatened, you should consider a therapeutic boarding school.

1. Learn about the program before you visit.

Read materials from the program and check out their website. If you visit more than one on a particular day, refresh your memory about that school just before you arrive. Be sure to spend at least a half-day at each program. You should have a chance to meet with the executive director and members of the admission, clinical, education, and residential life teams. Ask what accreditations and licenses the program and staff have.

2. What is the typical student profile?

Ask what other programs clients often visit when considering this program. Find out how many students this program serves.

3. Evaluate the environment of the campus.

Is the campus located in a rural or metropolitan area? Decide if the environment feels safe and secure and clean and organized. Look at bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen area. Sit in on classes and check out the library or other on-campus resources. Notice the rapport between students and faculty in the program. Learn about the policy on technology use. If your student is over 18, what are local educational or employment opportunities and policies?

4. Assess the academic program

Ask questions that help you clarify the academic program and the most comfortable and successful type of student there. Find out if learning support or accommodations are available. Ask if there is homework. See if they have a list of boarding schools and college acceptances.

5. Look into life beyond academics.

Check out the athletic facilities, theater,  and student center. Read the notices posted in the dorms or on bulletin boards. Request to speak to students (if appropriate). Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about campus life. Eat lunch in the student center and
watch student interactions.

6. Examine the clinical philosophy.

Find out how often the students receive therapy (individual, group, and family). Ask about the theoretical framework undergirding the program, the treatment model, and how the staff is trained. Look into the crisis intervention model that is used. Ask if there is a clinical director on campus and how often the psychiatrist is on campus. Is there a nurse on staff?  Look into the policy on medication administration.

7. Check out the level of parental involvement.

Ask if they offer parent workshops, how often the parents must attend, and the visitation policy.

8. Ask if the program collects data on their alumni success.

If so, determine if it is available for review and if the program participates in research or data collection.

9. Write down your impressions of each program you visit.

After a while, different programs’ visions start to blur if you don’t immediately stop to record your thoughts. Also, consider taking photos to help you keep track of the campuses you visit (please avoid taking pictures of students).

10. What is the cost?

Ask if there are any additional financial obligations other than monthly tuition and if they offer financial aid.  Also, find out if they provide someone to help with insurance, their recent experience with insurance covering some of the cost, and if school systems ever cover part of the cost.

Top Fears of Parents with Children in a Therapeutic Boarding School

The decision to send a child to a boarding school is not something anyone takes lightly. Many parents of teens struggle through the emotional overload of this kind of decision. Although you and your family are hopeful for these next steps towards healing, there are still genuine fears. Here are some top fears of parents who have children in a therapeutic boarding school program.

1. Will they fit in?

After watching your special child struggle and fail and flounder in the school system, community, and at home, parents are extra sensitive to the uniqueness of their own child. They realize a traditional path is not working for their son or daughter. They know they have quirks and antics and learning differences. They wish for friends and teachers that will be understanding and accepting. Therapeutic boarding schools will treat each child as a unique “somebody” to be embraced. Parents often feel these fears eased when they visit the school, dorm, and campus because they can see all of our kids are unique and quirky and still fit in. 

2. Will they miss home?

As with any change in routine, parents are worried about homesickness for their child while they are away from home. Will missing their family and home life affect them in negative ways? Or worse yet, will they like it so much at boarding school they won’t want to come home? It is normal for parents to worry about their child’s transition. Living and going to school in a home away from home creates opportunities for growth and new skills that might not otherwise be available to your child. Therapeutic boarding schools work together with the parents to keep open communication through the ups and downs of transition.

3. Will I still make decisions for them?

When a parent entrusts their child to the care of a therapeutic boarding school, they always worry if they will still be in the parental, decision making role for their child. The fear that they will lose control over their child and their decisions based on their proximity. It is normal for a parent to want to know what their child is experiencing in their life. To know if they’re hurting or happy, making friends, and making good decisions.  A good therapeutic boarding school staff will keep the parent fully involved.

If you need help with your teen, please call us toll-free, 24/7, at (888) 940-6278. We will help guide you to the right help for your teen according to your budget or insurance coverage. Our expert service is totally free and without obligation.