West Ridge Academy helps Parents Recognize and Help Troubled Teens

What are the signs a child needs professional help?

Leaving childhood behind and entering the teenage years can be tough on kids. Being able to tell the difference between normal struggles and moodiness from something deeper and more severe can be extremely difficult. Knowing what signs to look for can help parents and friends decide if a child needs professional help. The most obvious warning sign will be in how a child behaves. Drastic changes in how a child acts are the first sign they might need help. If their emotional outbursts are louder than the voice of the parents and family there are issues that are severe enough to be addressed. The outbursts can lead to other kids in the family fearing their sibling or resenting their parents for not handling the situation well. The tension can put a strain on a marriage and the family. When any of these issues are happening, it’s time to begin looking into programs for troubled teens that can help.

What are the different options for working with a troubled teen?

Once it’s clear a child needs professional help the first step is to get them in counseling. There are many types and styles of help for troubled youth, so it’s best to talk to as many people as possible to get recommendations. If the child shows no response to a counselor then there are two options to look at which are outpatient or residential programs. Outpatient programs provide treatment while the child remains living at home. Residential programs provide full-time attention while having the child live at a treatment facility. Most people move from counseling to an outpatient program since it’s less intense and costs less compared to a residential program. If the outpatient program isn’t able to get the needed results, it’s time to move into a residential program.

How can a full-time inpatient treatment center help guide a child back to the right path?

A residential program will be the best option for getting a troubled youth on the right track. Each center will have their own method and curriculum for working with the kids so finding the right fit is critical. Most programs for troubled youth use counseling, schooling, and activities to help draw the kids in. They will combine these with chores and different ways to keep them working and busy. The constant attention a full-time center provides will give each child the best possible way to get back to the direction they need to be going.