Safe residential programs for teens
June 4, 2024 6:15 PM Subscribe
Seeking recommendations, based on your direct personal or professional experience, for residential programs that can help my son, who will be 17 in two months.
Granted: there are many programs that get bad press by way of everything from social media to investigative reporters to published memoirs. I know that already.
I ask responders to start from the premise that a residential program can be a safe and effective way to get young people intensive treatment they cannot otherwise access. If you are categorically against this as an option, skip this ask, please.
I understand they are extremely expensive. Don't worry about that, for the moment.
Factors that make local, outpatient treatment options untenable: they are basically non-existent with a reasonable distance; his behaviors represent an escalating safety concern for other children; no adult in his life can quit their job to take up the full-time work of scheduling appointments, getting him to them, maintaining boundaries at home, and so on. Put another way, given the limits on our space and time, his issues are beyond the scope of our practice as parents.
His issues: substance abuse and high-risk sexual behaviors. Impulsivity and ADHD. Again, I ask you resist questioning whether any of these is problematic or a valid diagnosis; he has been evaluated, in person, by experienced and responsible medical professionals.
To restate: if you have recommendations for a residential program, in the United States, of any length, please share them, and please cite your connection to these, whether personal or professional. An example of the kind of program I mean: SOAR, in North Carolina.
Granted: there are many programs that get bad press by way of everything from social media to investigative reporters to published memoirs. I know that already.
I ask responders to start from the premise that a residential program can be a safe and effective way to get young people intensive treatment they cannot otherwise access. If you are categorically against this as an option, skip this ask, please.
I understand they are extremely expensive. Don't worry about that, for the moment.
Factors that make local, outpatient treatment options untenable: they are basically non-existent with a reasonable distance; his behaviors represent an escalating safety concern for other children; no adult in his life can quit their job to take up the full-time work of scheduling appointments, getting him to them, maintaining boundaries at home, and so on. Put another way, given the limits on our space and time, his issues are beyond the scope of our practice as parents.
His issues: substance abuse and high-risk sexual behaviors. Impulsivity and ADHD. Again, I ask you resist questioning whether any of these is problematic or a valid diagnosis; he has been evaluated, in person, by experienced and responsible medical professionals.
To restate: if you have recommendations for a residential program, in the United States, of any length, please share them, and please cite your connection to these, whether personal or professional. An example of the kind of program I mean: SOAR, in North Carolina.
Someone in my life had a good experience at the Menninger Clinic, however they were a hair older and were in the "young adult" program. I think the childhood program goes through 17.
This person later transitioned from Menninger to Gould Farm. I think the minimum age there is 18 but I'll add it just for your future reference.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:55 PM on June 4
This person later transitioned from Menninger to Gould Farm. I think the minimum age there is 18 but I'll add it just for your future reference.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:55 PM on June 4
I know people who have appreciated Outward Bound. Intercept is a teen program of theirs which you may find helpful [linked]
posted by HearHere at 8:25 PM on June 4 [2 favorites]
posted by HearHere at 8:25 PM on June 4 [2 favorites]
Check out Turnbridge and Silver Hill. Both are in Connecticut.
Another is Four Winds. I don't know about the Saratoga, NY campus, but the Katonah, NY campus was OK. My experience with dealing with this particular place was during Covid. As you might imagine, they were somewhat short-staffed. It's not as stratospherically priced as the other two (and that is reflected in the environment), but I liked the staff.
I've heard good things about McLean in Boston, but don't have firsthand experience.
I have been in your shoes, and within the past five years. MeMail me if you want to talk. Sending patience and big hugs.
posted by dancinglamb at 7:11 AM on June 5 [3 favorites]
Another is Four Winds. I don't know about the Saratoga, NY campus, but the Katonah, NY campus was OK. My experience with dealing with this particular place was during Covid. As you might imagine, they were somewhat short-staffed. It's not as stratospherically priced as the other two (and that is reflected in the environment), but I liked the staff.
I've heard good things about McLean in Boston, but don't have firsthand experience.
I have been in your shoes, and within the past five years. MeMail me if you want to talk. Sending patience and big hugs.
posted by dancinglamb at 7:11 AM on June 5 [3 favorites]
Missed the editing window.
I was surprised to find out that there are people who specifically do nothing but resource these types of places based on your kid's needs. I guess they must work on some sort of commission with the facility (kind of like a broker?). It was shocking how much this person knew off the top of their head -- information that I had researched for hours upon hours, days, and days.
We were paired up with someone from the IOP that did this. It is how we were connected with Turnbridge.
posted by dancinglamb at 7:21 AM on June 5
I was surprised to find out that there are people who specifically do nothing but resource these types of places based on your kid's needs. I guess they must work on some sort of commission with the facility (kind of like a broker?). It was shocking how much this person knew off the top of their head -- information that I had researched for hours upon hours, days, and days.
We were paired up with someone from the IOP that did this. It is how we were connected with Turnbridge.
posted by dancinglamb at 7:21 AM on June 5
I would remove any Utah based locations from your short list. I worked for several when I was younger and it was horrific. Protections are extremely lax and issues, severe ones, are swept under the rug, even by the "best" residential centers.
Something to note, the folks that broker these placements, as mentioned in a comment earlier, are wined and dined by residential centers and get a significant kick back.
Things I would look for:
- when and how often can kid call home
- consequence system
- sleeping situation: how does staff monitor?
- the staff: how old and what training do they get?
DM me if you have specific questions, always happy to chat. I can't tell you which are good, but I can tell you what to avoid.
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 11:55 AM on June 5 [5 favorites]
Something to note, the folks that broker these placements, as mentioned in a comment earlier, are wined and dined by residential centers and get a significant kick back.
Things I would look for:
- when and how often can kid call home
- consequence system
- sleeping situation: how does staff monitor?
- the staff: how old and what training do they get?
DM me if you have specific questions, always happy to chat. I can't tell you which are good, but I can tell you what to avoid.
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 11:55 AM on June 5 [5 favorites]
I know you said your son is not quite 17 but I'd like to put this on your radar:
Hopewell Therapeutic Farm
Perhaps in a year or two if you still need it (I pray you don't!) it might be an option for you.
My connections: My father served on its executive board for a number of years; I produced a video piece for our local PBS station when i worked there; a close friend's adult daughter spent the better part of a year there and and found it very helpful.
The setting is rural, tranquil and beautiful. Residents help run the working farm and receive all kinds of therapies.
I wish you all the best and hope that your family finds peace.
posted by Kangaroo at 4:36 PM on June 5
Hopewell Therapeutic Farm
Perhaps in a year or two if you still need it (I pray you don't!) it might be an option for you.
My connections: My father served on its executive board for a number of years; I produced a video piece for our local PBS station when i worked there; a close friend's adult daughter spent the better part of a year there and and found it very helpful.
The setting is rural, tranquil and beautiful. Residents help run the working farm and receive all kinds of therapies.
I wish you all the best and hope that your family finds peace.
posted by Kangaroo at 4:36 PM on June 5
I have no experience with the Outward Bound intercept program, but I volunteered with Outward Bound in Oregon, Minnesota, and Colorado, and participated in brief adventure programs as a teenager, and the people who worked there were all really, really great.
posted by mai at 2:54 PM on June 8
posted by mai at 2:54 PM on June 8
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posted by arnicae at 6:49 PM on June 4 [21 favorites]