4 Types Of Care For Troubled Youth

A person's teenage years can be challenging. Teenagers' bodies are going through rapid changes, which can cause mood swings in everyday life. Some teens struggle to cope with the challenges of their adolescence. Negative influences, mental illnesses, and substance abuse can exacerbate these problems. Troubled youth often act out in ways that may be harmful or illegal. It's important to address poor behavior to help your teenager. Fortunately, a troubled youth treatment program can help you. Here are four levels of treatment that are available for troubled youth:

1. Residential Care

Residential care is the most intensive form of troubled youth treatment. When you select residential care, your troubled teen will be given a room in a treatment facility. Residential treatment is a good option for adolescents who demonstrate extreme behavioral problems. Residential care can be beneficial for people who have tumultuous home lives that aren't conducive to treatment and recovery. In a residential troubled youth treatment program, your teen will receive structured care. The boundaries and routines of a residential treatment facility can help your teen feel secure enough to open up about their problems.

2. Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient treatment is another option. Teenagers who participate in this type of treatment program do not live at the treatment center. Instead, they will commute to their treatment sessions. Intensive outpatient treatments usually meet daily for a set period of time, which is often six weeks or more. Intensive outpatient treatment can be compatible with continuing education. Teenagers will simply attend their treatment appointments after class ends each weekday. Outpatient treatment is a good option for teens who are willing and able to continue attending school while undergoing treatment.

3. Counseling

Counseling is an important component of troubled youth treatments. A youth counselor has special insight into the psychology of adolescent minds. This type of counselor has experience working with teenagers, who often require a different counseling approach than adults. Therapy can help teenagers learn to express their feelings in healthy ways that don't harm themselves or others. Troubled youth counseling often incorporates individual and family therapy to help heal rifts between family members.

4. Continuing Care

Once a teenager exits troubled youth treatment, they may find themselves back in a similar situation that led them to act out in the first place. The tools they learned in treatment can keep teens from slipping back into bad behaviors. However, regular counseling can help. Many troubled youth treatment programs offer continuing care to graduates of the program. Weekly therapy sessions can encourage teenagers to stay on the right path.