Written by Wood Creek Academy
Are you facing behavioral issues with your teenage son? Whether he is displaying low self-esteem, abusing drugs, or being extremely defiant to you and his teachers, you might be frustrated with dealing with the problem on your own. Unfortunately, most parents fail to provide their teens with proper help. Many believe that their children are just going through a phase and that everything will turn out for the best. But if your son is dealing with major issues today, it can have a negative effect on his future. So what is the answer?
Depending on the severity of the problem, a therapeutic boarding school might be the solution. What is a therapeutic boarding school and is it right for your son? Here’s a brief look at therapeutic boarding schools and how they are different from traditional boot camp for teenagers.
Behavior Modification Schools
Therapeutic boarding schools are behavior modification schools that help teenage boys with behavior and academic issues. Each school has its own therapy program. However, the best type of therapeutic boarding schools focus on personal accountability and incorporate a combination of group time, individual therapy, life skills, academics, and activities. You might also want to consider a wilderness therapy program, which means that the program incorporates nature into the lessons and activities. Many wilderness therapy programs are located in rural areas of the country.
Is therapeutic boarding school similar to a residential treatment center or boot camp? The short answer is no. Therapeutic boarding schools shouldn’t be confused with boot camp for teenagers, residential treatment centers, or outward bound schools.
Boot Camp for Teenagers
A therapeutic boarding school is very different from a boot camp for teenagers. Most traditional boot camps are based on military techniques and can be harsh and uninviting for teens. However, the right therapeutic boarding school should be a friendly warm environment in which a teen can learn and grow.
Boarding School
A therapeutic boarding school is not a summer camp or a therapy class close to home. Most therapeutic boarding schools are far from home, and the idea is to send your child to a new environment for a few months at a time. There are many benefits to a boarding school because it takes the child out of a bad environment at home or with friends. While the final duration should be left up to the child, most children stay an average of nine to 12 months.
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Wood Creek Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for boys located in Western Montana.