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Reply to "Therapeutic Wilderness Schools - Any Insights?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thank you everyone for your feedback.  I am thankful for such a vocal community.

Our son has basically shut down since COVID.  We are/have explored both inpatient and intensive outpatient options.  Our concerns are i) we are not sure we would even be successful getting our son out of the house each morning for outpatient, ii) Inpatient might be too clinical and doesn't necessarily address his overall life coping skills, iii) since the cost for many of these programs are astronomical to begin with, we'd rather try do something more extreme.  We are basically in nuclear mode at this point, and we (along with his therapist) believe a complete change in scenery might be the most beneficial option for him.

That said, i am not without concerns about such a decision.  I have scoured Facebook, Reddit, Better Business Bureau, etc for any honest feedback i can find. We are scheduled to speak with 3 different parents who sent their kids to the program over the last 2 years to get their honest feedback.

I will also look into the many suggestions everyone provided as an alternative.  [/quote]

You mention "inpatient" and "outpatient" programs but then only mention a therapist.  Have you had him evaluated by an experienced child psychiatrist and tried medications?  I would do that before sending him away to a program.

Some people need medication.  I understand why people are reluctant to try medication in adolescents; I have been there.  But, if the anxiety and depression have lasted more than a few weeks, and you have been working with a therapist, then it really is time to try medication.

My DS presented with irritability, anger and opposition.  I know everyone attributes that to the "teenage years," but after about a month or two of getting him educated about medication options and him consenting to try medication, he found something that works.  The change is a amazing.  He is the happy, optimistic, kind guy I knew.

I'm not saying every medication is a miracle.  It takes time to develop some trust with a doctor and to understand choices and try some options to see what might work.  But, it is well worth it and I would do that before sending a kid away to a program.  [/quote]

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