Therapeutic boarding schools

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience? Troubled male teen. Are there consultants in this area?

[Anonymous]

I’d post on the special needs board - they make have some good resources to share. This topic has come up quite a bit over there.

[Anonymous]

Maybe start with 2-month experience like Outward Bound that’s designed for troubled teens. The idea is the kids get away from friends and family and learn to rely on themselves. I know 2 kids who were helped by Outward Bound. Do your research, though, because some of these camps are shady.

[Anonymous]

The School Counseling Group has a consultant who specializes in therapeutic boarding school placements. His name is Tom Harvey. I highly recommend him: he is compassionate and a good listener, and he really works toward getting a good fit for your student's issues. Our DD landed at a girls' school, and we've been very pleased with her progress.

[Anonymous]

There is a place in Prescott AZ. I cannot remember the name but they come to your house, take your kid, fly him there and the kids are basically in lockdown in a very disconnected (no phones, no computers) world. It is safe. Turned around the life of a young woman I know. It was so traumatic for the family but it was necessary and effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a place in Prescott AZ. I cannot remember the name but they come to your house, take your kid, fly him there and the kids are basically in lockdown in a very disconnected (no phones, no computers) world. It is safe. Turned around the life of a young woman I know. It was so traumatic for the family but it was necessary and effective.

Not every school with this approach is safe. Use caution and get information from people who know first-hand. Also consider you own particular child's needs carefully -- this approach is not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

FYI--transport services are a separate thing, provided by transport companies, not the therapeutic school. Many families use transport but many do not.

At my DD's TBS, the girls gradually ease back into phone and computer use, with lots of scaffolding and support. That makes sense since almost all of them have experienced trauma and bullying (and worse) around social media.