Ten Top Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing a Residential Camp for their Teen
Mistake number 7: The professionals will know what my child needs
It is very hard being the parent of an out of control teenager, and it gets harder if when you ask for help you get conflicting advice! Although it is of no comfort to the parent when this happens, believe that each professional is truly trying to help, but professionals are only human! What is important to understand is that even a well trained professional, tends to have expert knowledge in their field only, whilst a child may not fit entirely into that field. When looking for the right treatment or camp for your troubled teen, you are going to need to understand some of the behavioral terminology being used.
It would be easier to be able to simply hand your child over to professionals without any research, and have the defiant teen return as a well adjusted adult some time later! Most parents do realize that this is an unlikely scenario, and when it comes right down to it, there is a professional that knows your child well, that professional is you, the parent. Without realizing it, you adjust your behavior to suit your child, you know what triggers a tantrum, you understand how your teen deals with adversity, but you just do not know how to modify their behavior.
Getting to grips with the professional terminology
- A school counselor is usually only trained to listen, and allow a teen to express their frustrations, whilst offering general advice
- A therapist will have a background in specific therapeutic treatments; ask your teen's therapist to explain their particular ethos, it will give you insight into their recommendations
- ADHD and ODD are two conditions for which there are guidelines for diagnosis and very helpful support groups
- Join support groups and learn about your child's condition if they have received a clinical diagnosis
- Ask any potential residential camps to explain what they understand by ODD and ADHD, if they are unable to do so, do not choose those camps!
- Expressive therapy uses arts and creativity to help withdrawn teens to communicate
- 12 step programs are a recognized approach for addiction issues
- Emotional growth programs focus on teen's poor self esteem and offer a daily affirmation of the teens' worth, looking to build self confidence and motivation
- Psychiatric treatments will depend on the psychiatrists' background, and you should ask the psychiatrist on which theorists do the model their treatment
It is important that you ask any treatment center or teen camp exactly what psychological treatment your teen is to receive, and trust your instincts above all else!