An Aspen Education Group Publication

The Aspen Guide To Teen Treatment

Introduction

Troubled teens. Struggling students. Youth in crisis. These terms (and, unfortunately, a plethora of far less neutral labels) are commonly used to describe adolescents and teenagers who are dealing with a variety of academic, behavioral and mental health challenges. However, while most parents, teachers, and even the students themselves are familiar with the words we use to describe these problems, too many remain unaware of the wide range of options that are available to put them back on the path to continued success. The purpose of this e-book is to provide an introductory look at the various types of teen treatment opportunities that have helped thousands of young people and their families overcome issues that traditional public schools or limited outpatient therapy have not been able to adequately address. Topics covered in this e-book include the following: Chapter 1: Introduction to Residential Treatment

Chapter 2: What is a Therapeutic Boarding School?

Chapter 3: Wilderness Works!

Chapter 4: Weight Management Programs for Teens

Appendix A: Residential Program Guide

Appendix B: About Aspen Education Group

Chapter 1 Introduction to Residential Treatment

The decision to enroll your teen in a residential treatment program is likely to be difficult for any parent.

You may feel that enrolling your child in a residential program means that you have either failed or given up on your teen. But just the opposite is true – by enrolling your teen in an effective residential program, you are giving them the best chance to overcome any addiction or behavioral or mood disorder.

Residential boarding schools and therapeutic programs provide students with essential guidance, structure, and supervision, along with the necessary amount of time in a productive healing environment.

Length of Stay Enrollment periods in a residential treatment programs for adolescents and teenagers may last from a few weeks to a year or longer. One of the primary benefits of residential treatment programs for teens is the development of individualized treatment plans and high degree of personal attention. Because each participant is working through a plan that has been specifically developed for him or her, he optimal length of stay depends upon the needs of each student, and should provide ample time for each child to make necessary progress on his or her unique issues.

Family Involvement & Support When an adolescent or teenager enrolls in an effective residential treatment program, parents can (and should) expect to play an active positive role in their child’s healthy development. Residential treatment programs provide regular opportunities for parents to speak with their child’s therapist, teacher, or other program personnel – and many of the best

programs provide opportunities for parents to visit campus and participate in family support sessions (both with and without their children present). The major goal of all our boarding schools and residential programs is to realize true healthy growth and assist in the creation of a positive future for each student and their family

History of Proven Success About 97 percent of teens who attend a private residential therapeutic school show improvement in behavior, communication, confidence and any emotional problems they were experiencing, according to a study of nine private schools.

The study was conducted by independent research company Canyon Research & Consulting Inc.

The study involved 993 students ages 13 to 18 who attended schools operated by Aspen Education Group between August 2003 and January 2006.

Regardless of age, sex or the reason for treatment, most teens showed a significant improvement between the time they entered treatment and the time they were discharged.

“The analyses suggested that adolescent problems improved significantly during private residential treatment,” said Ellen Behrens, PhD, and Kristin Satterfield, B.S., authors of the study. By the time teens complete their stay at a residential therapeutic school, the study revealed, the majority will improve in the following areas:

Normal emotional issues, behaving like any typical teenager

Confidence to resist peer pressure and other outside influences

Much more cooperative

Decrease in negative behaviors

Improved communication

Better compliance with rules

Improved family relationships

Chapter 2 What is a Therapeutic Boarding School?

Boarding schools have a long tradition in our society, generally known for their excellence in education and ability to prepare students for a bright academic and professional future. Small class sizes, individualized attention, and often a higher quality of teachers and other academic professionals has given boarding schools a much-deserved reputation as educational institutions that produce bright, skilled, and capable young adults. Over the years, a new breed of boarding school has developed. These schools – which are commonly referred to as “therapeutic boarding schools” – specialize in students whose parents want them to excel academically, but who know that their children have academic difficulties, behavioral issues, and other mental health challenges that need to be addressed if they are to achieve this goal. Therapeutic boarding schools serve students who have emotional or behavioral issues by giving them not only an academic education, but a life education.

Therapeutic boarding schools teach more than the “three R's." They also teach responsibility and self-reliance, and promote healthy behaviors so that these unique students can achieve to their greatest potential.

What Sets These Schools Apart? Class Size Generally the ratio of teachers to students is much smaller in therapeutic boarding schools. Children receive individualized academic attention, which makes them an excellent resource for kids with ADD, ADHD, or learning disabilities. Most parents who have teens with these issues know their kids are bright and capable. They also know how such children can "fall through the cracks" in a traditional academic setting.

Therapy Therapeutic boarding schools promote emotional growth by offering group and individual therapy for students, and educational opportunities for parents. No two children are treated alike, which means your child gets an individualized education plan that is specifically designed for him or her. The approach of these boarding schools is to create a complete education, one that addresses the unique issues of its students and respects both their abilities and their differences. Specific & Significant Expertise Therapeutic boarding schools employ teachers, counselors, therapists and other trained & experienced personnel who are prepared to provide innovative support to students who are dealing with a wide range of issues. Common issues that therapeutic boarding school students are struggling with include the following:

Anger, Defiance, & Disrespect

Anxiety/Panic

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)

Bullying

Depression

Eating Disorders

Grief/Loss

Learning Disabilities

Opposition-Defiance Disorder (ODD)

Poor Self-Image/Low Self-Esteem

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Running Away

Substance Abuse Recreational Activities & Unique Adventures Many therapeutic boarding schools offer children exceptional opportunities to participate in wilderness adventures or other unique activities. Experiential therapy involves learning through experience, and is particularly effective with young people. Working with animals such as horses, rabbits and dogs helps a troubled teen connect with nurturing and love. Participating in art, music, drama, dance or writing becomes an outlet for pent-up emotions. Some therapeutic schools teach students calming techniques such as deep breathing exercises, visualization, and yoga.

Structure & Supervision Most therapeutic boarding schools are highly structured with set times for classes, meals, homework, therapy, exercise, outings and sleep. In the best programs, students are under constant supervision with staff members guiding them throughout the day. These staff members will be trained in working with students who are struggling with behavioral disorders and other mental health challenges. A Holistic Approach to Education The therapeutic boarding school educates the whole child by addressing the emotional, behavioral, psychological, academic, and creative needs of each adolescent. Teens who attend therapeutic boarding schools can make remarkable progress in all these areas in their lives, enabling them to return home with a renewed sense of self and strong character.

Chapter 3 Wilderness Works!

For some teens, a therapeutic boarding school doesn’t provide the ideal initial environment to begin working on the issues that have prevented them from achieving to their greatest potential. For these teens, a short-term, high-intensity therapeutic wilderness program can help them develop the skills they need to pursue success either during follow-on placement in a therapeutic boarding school or after returning home. Wilderness therapy programs, sometimes referred to as outdoor education programs, have proven themselves to be exceptional catalysts for change in troubled children, adolescents, and teenagers. The basic premise behind therapeutic wilderness programs is that the wilderness presents an environment that cannot be manipulated by teenagers who have been rebellious and defiant, and who break all the rules.

Nature serves as the ultimate teacher, unable to be manipulated or conned by a defiant, angry adolescent. Such an environment by necessity requires certain behaviors and actions. Teens quickly learn how cooperating with their peers results in a significantly more positive experience than when they refuse to participate. By removing the child from the home environment and all the influences of modern culture, such as parties, television, videos, and movies, a therapeutic wilderness program provides the teen with the ideal environment in which to explore his or her motives, behaviors, and self-defeating attitudes. Through the use of positive peer pressure, introspective group discussions, and the building of primitive skills, adolescents begin to understand through metaphor the skills and behaviors that are necessary to lead productive lives in society.

The average program lasts four to eight weeks, and the cost of these short-term programs is relatively low when compared with longer term residential therapeutic facilities or boarding schools.

Benefits of Teen Wilderness Programs By providing a safe yet dramatic environment within which to effect positive behavioral changes, the wilderness experience accelerates the therapeutic process and gives students a powerful foundation on which to build a more positive, productive life.

Students quickly learn how cooperation, responsibility for behaviors, and a strong work ethic can create a positive group environment where they can develop self-esteem and obtain greater self-knowledge. Teenagers with behavioral and emotional problems begin to explore their relationships with others and their issues with authority, peers, and family members. Positive peer pressure replaces negative peer pressure. The group encourages defiant individual teens to participate in the necessary activities for an outdoor wilderness experience.

Focus on Safety

Safety is the primary concern in any quality wilderness program. Because nature itself is such a powerful teacher, there is no need to allow any situation to progress to a degree that might put participants at risk for injury or illness. By keeping risk at a minimum, top-notch wilderness programs create a physical environment where dramatic changes can take place while keeping the participant as safe, if not safer, than they would be in their home and school environment.

A quality wilderness program will have a support "base camp" that keeps in 24-hour touch with field personnel.

Radio contact is made between field supervisors and base camp on a regular basis.

An Emergency Response Team is ready to respond at a moment's notice should any child become ill or injured.

The rates of injury in qualified wilderness programs are extremely low.

Studies of effective therapeutic wilderness programs for teens have shown a child is at much greater risk of injury driving in a car in his or her hometown or participating in traditional hiking trips or school sports such as football.

Study Shows That Wilderness Works

A study out of the University of Idaho has shown wilderness therapy interventions to be highly effective, even at a one-year follow-up. A number of outdoor education programs participated in an independent research study by Keith C. Russell Ph. D., of the University of Idaho's Wilderness Research Center. The study was designed to measure treatment effectiveness in outdoor behavioral healthcare using the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ). The Y-OQ is an industry accepted outcome instrument designed to measure symptom reduction in therapy. The University of Idaho study was based upon 858 participants, of which 589 were male and 269 were female.

About 57% of these participants had prior outpatient treatment

About 17% had prior inpatient treatment

About 13% had both prior inpatient and outpatient treatment Results of this study included the following:

The study concluded that participation in outdoor behavioral healthcare resulted in clinically significant reductions in severity of behavioral and emotional symptoms.

More than 83% of participants made clinically significant improvement.

The average score change for participants as a 51.6 point reduction. A 13-point reduction is considered significant.

Almost half (46%) of participants returned to a normal range as a result of treatment.

The highest reduction for all age groups based on a parent assessment occurred among 13 year olds.

Chapter 4 Teen Weight Management Programs

Over the past 20 years, overweight and obesity among children, adolescents and young adults has skyrocketed from 8% to 33%. This makes overweight and obesity the most serious health issue facing our children. Research from top universities shows that overweight children are likely to become more and more overweight, and that 90% of overweight teens will become obese adults. In addition, studies are increasingly showing that overweight teens face social and psychological challenges that can have permanent effects. The health risks associated with being overweight are well documented and include cardiovascular, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, hormonal, neurological, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes. In the past, the few options for young people were summer fat camps that were not based on principles of long-term weight management. Today, the Wellspring weight loss program has developed a network of highly successful weight loss opportunities for adolescents and teenagers

Wellspring weight loss camps and weight loss boarding schools are designed by leading researchers and clinicians to maximize long-term behavioral change, which results in substantial and sustained weight loss. Wellspring recognizes that weight loss and management is a complex behavioral and biological struggle and that most adolescents have an unprecedented level of freedom in determining their own lifestyle. This is why Wellspring’s intensive clinical programs provide campers, students and participants with the necessary tools, decision-making skills and new behavioral strategies to control weight permanently. Wellspring programs have achieved the best results ever recorded for weight loss programs for children, adolescents or adults.

Appendix A: Teen Treatment Guide Academy at Swift River

Cummington, Massachusetts

www.swiftriver.com

800-258-1770

College preparatory therapeutic boarding school that specializes in working with adolescents ages 14-18 (grades 9-12) who have social, academic and family difficulties.

Adirondack Leadership Expeditions

Saranac Lake, New York

www.adirondackleadership.com

877-252-0869

Wilderness program for troubled teens ages 13 -17

Camp Huntington

High Falls, NY

www.camphuntington.com

866-514-5281

Co-ed, residential summer program for children and young adults (ages 10 to 21) with special learning and developmental needs

Copper Canyon Academy

Rimrock, Arizona

www.coppercanyonacademy.com

928-567-1322

Therapeutic boarding school for young women ages 12-17

Cove Forge Behavioral Health

Williamsburg, Pennsylvania

www.coveforgebehavioralhealth.com

800-873-2131

Residential center for adolescents, teenagers, and adults who are dealing with addiction and co-occurring disorders

Four Circles Recovery Center Horse Shoe, North Carolina

www.fourcirclesrecovery.com

800-893-2221

An addictions, substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders treatment program for young adults ages 18-28 that combines a traditional counseling setting with a series of wilderness expeditions

Island View

Syracuse, Utah

866-952-7930 or 801-773-0200

www.islandview-rtc.com

Residential treatment center for teens ages 13-17 that focuses on helping students determine their strengths, abandon self-defeating behaviors, and understand their unique issues and gifts

The Meadow Lodge

Scotts Valley, California

www.themeadowlodge.com

800-924-2879

Comprehensive detox, residential & outpatient substance abuse treatment for adolescents ages 14 to 17.

Oakley School

Oakley, Utah

www.oakley-school.com

435-783-5001

Co-ed college preparatory therapeutic boarding school for teens ages 14-19

Outback Therapeutic Expeditions

Lehi, Utah

www.outbacktreatment.com

800-817-1899

Wilderness program for teens ages 13-17 blends the best of the “ancient cultural systems” with the most effective and proven therapeutic processes

Phoenix Outdoor Old Fort, North Carolina

www.phoenixoutdoor.com

877-305-0904

Therapeutic wilderness program for teens ages 13-17 who are struggling with substance abuse, as well co-occurring behavioral and mental health issues.

Starlite Recovery Center

Center Point, Texas

www.starliterecovery.com

800-292-0148

Adolescent drug rehab program for boys between the ages of 13 and 17

Stone Mountain School

Black Mountain, North Carolina

www.stonemountainschool.com

888-631-5994

Year-round therapeutic boarding school for boys ages 11-17 with emotional, behavioral and learning issues such as ADD, ADHD and nonverbal learning disorder

SUWS Carolinas

Old Fort, North Carolina

www.suwscarolinas.com

888-828-9770

Therapeutic wilderness programs for young people ages 13 to 17 who are struggling with a range of behavioral, emotional, and substance abuse issues

SUWS Programs

Shoshone, Idaho

www.suws.com

888-879-7897

Therapeutic wilderness programs for adolescents ages 11-17 with a focus on clinical intervention and assessment.

SUWS Seasons

Old Fort, North Carolina

www.suwsseasons.com

888-828-9770

Wilderness-based treatment program for preadolescents & young teens (10-13)

Talisman Academy Zirconia, North Carolina 28790

www.talismancamps.com

888-458-8226

Year-round academic program designed to help children ages 13-17 with Asperger’s Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disorder and High-Functioning Autism thrive in an experiential learning environment.

Turn About Ranch

Escalante, Utah

www.turnaboutranch.com

800-842-1165

Residential treatment center for teens ages 13-17, located on a working horse and cattle ranch

Wellspring Academy of California

Reedley, California

www.wellspringacademies.com

866-364-0808

Boarding school for overweight students (ages 12-24) Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas

Brevard, North Carolina

www.wellspringacademies.com

866-364-0808

Boarding school for overweight students (ages 11-18)

Wellspring Camps Various locations

www.wellspringcamps.com

866-364-0808

Summer camps for overweight adolescents and teens

Youth Care

Draper, Utah

www.youthcare.com

800-786-4924

Residential treatment for children and adolescents ages 11-18 in an intimate, homelike environment

About Aspen Education Group

Aspen Education Group is the nation’s leading provider of education programs for struggling or underachieving young people.

As the largest and most comprehensive network of therapeutic schools and programs, Aspen offers professionals and families the opportunity to choose a setting that best meets a student's unique academic and emotional needs.

Aspen's programs exist at the intersection of therapy and education for students that have demonstrated behavioral issues that are preventing them from achieving to their greatest potential.

Recognizing that every individual is different and challenged by different needs, Aspen offers a wide diversity of educational programs, settings and solutions that match client needs with the right learning and therapeutic environment.

Our help and services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic interventions including: boarding schools, wilderness therapy, residential treatment, special needs summer camps, and weight loss programs.

Aspen Education Group is a proud member of CRC Health Group, the nation’s largest provider of behavioral healthcare services.

For more about Aspen Education Group, please visit www.aspeneducation.com

For more about CRC Health Group, please visit www.crchealth.com