Having talked to Casie Fariello (Other Parents Like Me) on the podcast last week about her son’s mental health struggle and their experience with his inpatient treatment, followed by a Substack post about getting insurance to pay for residential treatment—I realized I still had more to say on this topic.

So, on today’s episode, I explain that sending your teen away from home for treatment for their mental health and/or behavior should only be considered as a last resort, with the biggest consideration being their safety or the safety of others.

According to the prevailing opinion in the child and adolescent mental health field, kids and teens should be kept at home and all other treatment options should be exhausted before considering residential treatment, wilderness, a therapeutic boarding school, etc. 

In this episode, I also argue that parents must take a hard look at their parenting practices and their mental health to insure they are not exacerbating their teen's mental health or behavior problems, before making this big decision.

Today's Substack post takes the topic even further as I discuss how to prevent fear (often caused by the "troubled teen industry") from driving your decision to send your teen away from home for treatment. 

Show Notes for other resources and sources
Transcript

Find our FREE Parenting Guides Here

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful for your podcast! ...I'm so happy I discovered it!" Speaking of Teens Listener

^If you feel the same way, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps people know the show is worth their time to listen. Tap here, to go to Apple podcasts, and scroll down until you see the STARS to tap on the last star, then tap on “Write a Review” and let me know what you love about the show. 

If you’re listening in Spotify, you can also rate the show by going to the main episode page and tap the 3 dots to the right of the follow button, tap rate show and tap the 5th star!

Thank you in advance for helping

The 5-Day Reboot: From Conflict to Cooperation - receive bite-sized lessons in your in-box for 5 days that will make a huge difference between you and your teen...for under $50!

Check out the podcast on YouTube!

Email Ann at [email protected]

Check out PARENT CAMP - a cohort-based, 10-week experience that includes a virtual course, in-depth exercises and tools, and weekly live meetings with Ann, where you will learn how to strengthen your relationship and decrease the conflict with your teens and tweens (while improving their behavior.)

Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram

Read Speaking of Teens weekly articles on Substack

Join our Facebook Group for Free Support for Parents and others who care for Teens (and get easy access to all the parenting guides above!)

See My Recommended Books For Both You And Your Teen