Teen wants to go a residential treatment program?

[Anonymous]

Need advice. My daughter has had depression and anxiety for years. She tells me that her weekly therapy sessions and medication aren’t really helping. “I think I want to go to one of those programs where you stay for a few months and they help you.”

[Anonymous]

Get on a waitlist. It may take months for a spot to open.

[Anonymous]

Do you have the money for it? If so and she wants the help, start researching!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have the money for it? If so and she wants the help, start researching!

She is going to ask her counselor for recommendations during her next appointment on Wednesday for recommendations.

[Anonymous]

This is the perfect time. Get on waitlists now. By the time your daughter is admitted, it will be summer.

Good for her for asking for the help she needs. That takes a lot of insight and courage.

[Anonymous]

Talk to her about what those programs are really like, make sure she really understands that she will be treated more like a prisoner than a patient, then see what she thinks about going.

[Anonymous]

They aren’t all like that—but it’s important to find out ahead of time what the approach is.

[Anonymous]

Be extremely careful about the programs, especially if her therapist here doesn’t know the Dow I fix program very well. The programs can be traumatic but necessary for many kids, but the risk/benefit is different if your child isn’t a good “fit” for the program (if she’s depressed and anxious and the program draws more Kids with addiction issues and secondary mood problems, or she’s been suicidal and the program has lots of conduct disorder.) parents and teens sometimes have unrealistic of what these places are like. good luck.

[Anonymous]

Do a lot of research on any program you are considering. They can vary a lot in their approach and their qualifications. Also, read up on the outcomes for residential programs in general. It can be significantly harder for individuals to integrate back into their lives after being in a residential program, versus non-residential.

There are some fairly comprehensive programs that don't involve moving away from home: Intensive Out Patient, Partial Hospitalization, various DBT programs, etc... Look at all the options.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. My issue and concern with these programs is that DD isn’t really a behavioral issue. She doesn’t skip school, no drugs/alcohol, bright, articulate, the stereotypical “a pleasure to have in class.” But she is so profoundly sad and depressed. I just feel like the types of people she might meet and such would make it a ooor fit. But I also want to take her seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. My issue and concern with these programs is that DD isn’t really a behavioral issue. She doesn’t skip school, no drugs/alcohol, bright, articulate, the stereotypical “a pleasure to have in class.” But she is so profoundly sad and depressed. I just feel like the types of people she might meet and such would make it a ooor fit. But I also want to take her seriously.

It sounds like your DD knows what she needs. She needs the intensive therapy these places can provide. I echo pp, that takes courage and insight.

Nothing is guaranteed, but living as a profoundly depressed teen also comes with risk.

[Anonymous]

My kid has been in about every type of program that exists - inpatient, PHP,IOP, residential. Also I know a number of people whose kids went to residential. I don’t know anyone who regrets residential or bad the experiences PPs post about.

Based on what you describe, you might want to check our Rogers in Wisconsin.

About your concern about meeting people who have other issues, yep she will. In virtually any type of program. Nothing you can do.

Biggest issue is cost. It’s tough to get insurance coverage. If she hasn’t done inpatient or PHP, it’s going to be a tough sell to your insurer to get coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. My issue and concern with these programs is that DD isn’t really a behavioral issue. She doesn’t skip school, no drugs/alcohol, bright, articulate, the stereotypical “a pleasure to have in class.” But she is so profoundly sad and depressed. I just feel like the types of people she might meet and such would make it a ooor fit. But I also want to take her seriously.

Her doctor and therapist are the best guide here. You should absolutely take her seriously but teens DO have unrealistic ideas a lot of the time, including envisioning some kind of old fashioned “talking cure” therapy inpatient which is NOT the norm. Some kids do have success but often there are more behavioral and addiction components that are addressed. I would absolutely consider iop before residential. Let the professionals lead this, not the teen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all. My issue and concern with these programs is that DD isn’t really a behavioral issue. She doesn’t skip school, no drugs/alcohol, bright, articulate, the stereotypical “a pleasure to have in class.” But she is so profoundly sad and depressed. I just feel like the types of people she might meet and such would make it a ooor fit. But I also want to take her seriously.

Her doctor and therapist are the best guide here. You should absolutely take her seriously but teens DO have unrealistic ideas a lot of the time, including envisioning some kind of old fashioned “talking cure” therapy inpatient which is NOT the norm. Some kids do have success but often there are more behavioral and addiction components that are addressed. I would absolutely consider iop before residential. Let the professionals lead this, not the teen.

Please take her seriously. She is a brave kid to ask for help she knows she needs. She sounds suicidal, OP. Her being around those other types of kids is the least of your worries.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have experience with Newport Academy?