Helping Families with Troubled Teens

How Can an Educational Consultant Help My Family?

Quite often, when parents are searching for an intervention for their son or daughter, they are in the grips of chaos. Anxiety, fear and desperation are frequently the driving forces behind their actions. Even at the best of times, the search for a therapeutic placement is a complex and overwhelming undertaking. Educational Consultants possess a comprehensive knowledge of the options available. They help families find, not just a quick-fix solution, but opportunities for long-term success. They can relieve much of the burden related to choosing a treatment program and ultimately they can provide families with hope.

If you are thinking about private treatment for your son or daughter, you may also want to consider getting assistance from someone who is objective and aware of the pros and cons of each program, who has personally visited many of the facilities, who has the expert know-how to help you choose the perfect fit for your child, and who will advocate for your family throughout the entire process.

Why do Some Families Choose Private Treatment?

Canadians are privileged to live in a country that provides basic services to all its citizens. And there is no denying that our youth have access to many resources that can help them overcome difficulties. However, there are times when families want alternatives. The following are a few examples of situations when parents may wish to access private facilities:

Families have a child who refuses to seek treatment voluntarily
Families want to initiate an intervention quickly and avoid wait times
Families want a program that has a more specialized treatment approach or admissions policy, one that reflects their own sense of values and priorities

Know How Education acts as a resource and referral service for families who want more that just the default options available to them. Our expertise is in helping parents find private programs that take a holistic approach to treatment, health, and education. We can provide interventional opportunities unavailable through conventional avenues and unknown to many mainstream professionals.

What Are These Treatment Programs Like?

Some people equate schools for troubled teens with "brat camps". In reality, the majority of therapeutic programs are nurturing and caring places, staffed by professionals who have chosen to work in a helping field because they are committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. To those who are acquainted with this milieu, the term "wellness" or "emotional growth" school is commonly used, as it more accurately describes these facilities.

Most schools provide recreational therapy, animal (e.g. equine, canine) therapy, and individual and group sessions with licensed mental health professionals. As well, most offer remedial support for children with a wide variety of challenges. And not only do they allow students to complete a fully accredited high school diploma, they usually offer fast-track provisions that permit students to make up any time they might have lost. The vast majority of these graduates go on to college or university, with some schools providing vocational training on site.

Private therapeutic programs are not for everyone. They demand a rigorous commitment from the entire family; they are not places where parents can simply send their children to be "fixed". And although the tuition varies considerably, they all require a significant financial commitment. Choosing a school that is manageable for the parents, as well as appropriate for the needs of the child, isn't an easy process; this is where an Educational Consultant can make a real difference.