What to Look for in a Youth Residential Treatment

CenterThere is a lot to consider before sending

your child away for help.

Treatment Plans• Treatment plans should fit the needs of your child. • Find out if the treatment plans are rigid for all

patients or individualized based on need.• Will the center meet the unique circumstances of

your child?

Counselors• There should be a reasonable ratio of counselors

to patients in order to provide individual attention.

• See how they treat you. If they aren’t kind to you, they won’t be kind to your child.

• Are they personable, interested, knowledgeable, and licensed?

Programs• Some treatment centers offer programs for

patients at different steps in their healing process.

• Find out if there are special programs available and how they could benefit your child.

Medical Personnel• Treatment centers should have nurses or nurse

practitioners on site to facilitate medicine or other medical needs as necessary.

Living Arrangements• Youth treatment centers offer a variety of living

arrangements from shared dorm rooms to individual beds in a larger living space.

• Often it is beneficial for a child to have his or her own space for alone time during their stay.

• Ask your child about his or her comfort zone in this area.

Education• Some treatment centers offer continued

education through accredited classes on site or online.

• If your child has a learning disability, consider how his or her learning process should be facilitated.

Discipline• Many treatment plans require patients to

participate in their healing process by being trustworthy or fulfilling responsibilities.

• Treatment centers may offer varying consequences as discipline.

• Find out what types of discipline may be used.

Rewards and Responsibilities

• Rewards should be offered after certain milestones are reached, whether as positive reinforcement or a graduation to new responsibilities.

• What rewards are given?• How will these rewards and responsibilities

prepare your child to succeed in the real world?

Logan River Academy• Logan River Academy residential treatment

center in Utah is open for students 12-18. • Logan River Academy has proven successful for

treating teenagers with various disorders and helping students on the autism spectrum. Their before and after results are available.

• To learn more about Logan River Academy, check out their Facebook or Google+ pages.