We put together a short but thorough list of what we have found most effective when helping parents find a residential treatment program for their struggling teens.
1. Find outside Help: This is not just a pitch to get you to use our services or someone else’s. This really is essential unless you are retired and have lots of time, knowledge of residential treatment programs, and consider yourself to be very objective. An outside professional like us can help formulate more than just a list of options. We help identify the goals, limitations and timeframe for when things need to happen. We also make sure that step-down and after-care are built into the plan.
2. Financial: What is your insurance willing to pay for? What can you afford?Most parents do not know that their are several billing codes that can be used throughout treatment that can be submitted to insurance for reimbursement. Treatment centers can range from $1000 per month up to $30,000 or more per month but expense does not always mean quality.
3. Timeframe: What is the timeframe you all need this to happen within? Is your teen preparing to go to college in the Fall and really needs a more aggressive, short-term solution? What about family vacations coming up or important events? Identifying all of these with your professional support will expedite the process and improve the outcome.
4. Goals and Objectives: This seems like easy-cheesy but more often than not professionals and education consultants do not build out a comprehensive treatment plan that includes what to do prior to treatment, what parents need to do while teen is in treatment, and what the plan is once the teen is completed treatment. We have found that comprehensive treatment planning is vital.
5. Communication: Part of every good plan is good professionals and family members. What we need with good people is a good way of communicating progress and obstacles. We highly encourage use of monthly team meetings via Skype, conference call or in person. These meetings should include anyone supporting the family in implementation of the treatment plan.
Finding a residential treatment program for a struggling teen is challenging but with the right plan and the right people supporting you, you will see safety, security, progress and hope clearly defined.