Family Healing Through Residential Treatment

Your family may have a troubled teen: an adolescent or young adult displaying behavioral or emotional problems that significantly disrupt their life and their family’s life. Many families these days commonly choose to treat their troubled teens by sending them to a residential treatment center. Sending your child away somewhere to get treated may be worrisome, but the benefits, especially for your family, are plenty. Learn how your family can heal with your kid staying at a residential treatment center.

Understanding Residential Treatment

When teens experience issues beyond the typical ups and downs of adolescence and parents or schools fail to improve their situation, they may need something extra to help them. Residential treatment centers are specialized facilities that provide inpatient care for adolescents grappling with behavioral issues. These issues may include mental illness, substance abuse, complex trauma, and other psychological or emotional difficulties. Residential treatment offers services that are more specific to the patient's individual needs, way more than what typical outpatient services can offer. These services include therapies, educational support, life skills training, and medication management. The aim is to provide a comprehensive treatment that covers a range of therapeutic services and support. An essential element of residential therapy is the creation of a safe and controlled environment in which teens can confront their challenges without the stressors of their regular surroundings. This setting helps them focus on healing and encourages personal growth. Other than therapies designed to help the individual teens cope with their problems, residential care also provides group therapy and family therapy sessions. Family therapies are especially beneficial in improving communication between family members and strengthening relationships, which is essential for long-term success in residential treatment. Addressing the needs of the entire family increases the chance of a positive outcome for the troubled teen that promotes lasting change.

Family Involvement in the Treatment Process

Family involvement is crucial to the treatment process of troubled teens. The chances of having successful outcomes for the troubled teen heighten when the family actively participates in the healing journey.

Fostering communication between teens and parents

Family therapy sessions become a routine aspect of treatment, providing a platform for open communication and conflict resolution. Parents and guardians may also be invited to scheduled educational workshops that impart valuable skills and knowledge to support the teen’s continued progress after their stay at the residential treatment facility. These sessions and workshops are designed to bridge gaps, heal wounds, and promote a unified approach to overcoming challenges the teen and their family faces.

Addressing underlying family issues

Another key element of the residential treatment programs is identifying and responding to family dynamics that may contribute to the teen’s issues. In many cases, communication patterns, unresolved conflicts, or dysfunction in the family unit can aggravate or even directly cause some of the teen's challenges. In residential treatment, families are guided toward establishing healthier communication. They are also coached to set appropriate boundaries and set up coping mechanisms. These steps are targeted at improving the current situation. Still, in the long run, they will ensure a healthy family environment can endure long after the teen has completed their residential program.

Creating a support network

Residential treatment centers emphasize building a solid support network for families. They connect one family to others with similar experiences, creating a sense of community and mutual understanding. This network often serves as a vital resource for sharing strategies, providing emotional support, and offering hope. Additionally, residential programs provide families access to a range of resources and referrals for continued support. These networks and resources can be instrumental in strengthening the family's capacity to support their teen's journey to recovery.

What Parents Can Expect

Parents should anticipate being actively involved with their teens' treatment at a residential treatment facility. As mentioned, they will receive support through family therapy and education resources. Furthermore, here are some other things parents can expect from having their teens in residential treatment.

The admission process

The admission process into a residential treatment program usually begins with an initial assessment to determine the appropriate level of care for the child. The process often involves:

Detailed interviews with the child and family
Psychological evaluations and/or medical examinations
Review of previous treatment history
Determination of treatment goals and objectives

After the assessment, parents will receive a clear outline of the proposed treatment plan. They will then be required to participate in consent and intake procedures, during which they will learn about the residential care environment's rules, expectations, and structure.

Communication with the treatment program

Communicating openly with the residential treatment program throughout the treatment process is crucial. Parents can expect regular updates on their child's progress and any adjustments to the treatment plan. Communication methods may include scheduled phone or video calls, regular in-person meetings, and email updates from the treatment team. By staying informed of their teen's progress, parents can help support their teen’s healing process and anticipate further issues.

Aftercare planning

After the residential treatment phase, the focus shifts to aftercare planning to ensure the continuity of care and support for the teen and family. This may involve establishing outpatient services (ongoing therapy or medication management), referrals to community resources, and developing a relapse prevention plan. Parents are often required to outline strategies to manage triggers and challenging situations. They may also have to continue communicating with the treatment providers for follow-up care. This approach helps maintain the milestones your teen has reached or accomplished during residential treatment and supports families in their ongoing recovery journey.

Conclusion

Treating your troubled teen is not a standalone job. You must support your troubled teen through their healing journey as a family. Supporting them means being actively involved in every phase of the process, from treatment admissions and finally to aftercare planning. Sending your teen to residential treatment like Liahona Academy can make a difference. Get in touch with Liahona Academy today and seek help for your teen.