| There are lots of residential programs for teenagers | | | | lots of screaming by a "drill sergeant" may cause the |
| whose behavior has become so problematic that | | | | teen to conform while he's at camp, but the camp is |
| serious intervention, away from the tension and | | | | likely to create even more resentment and hostility |
| upset of the family environment, seems like the right | | | | toward authority, and serious backsliding once camp |
| answer. They go by several names, such as | | | | is over. |
| "Therapeutic Boarding Schools", "Boot Camps For | | | | Most troubled teens require structure, guidance, and |
| Troubled Teens", and "Residential Boarding Schools". | | | | therapy, and to discover the consequences of |
| Each institution has its own approach, but most all of | | | | behavior. If the boot camp teaches instead that "the |
| them emphasize discipline, structure, and teaching the | | | | loudest and meanest wins", that may well be |
| child to take responsibility for his own actions and to | | | | counter-productive. |
| stop blaming others. In addition, they tend to look | | | | The very fact that the program is short-term can |
| beneath the surface to try to determine the | | | | lead the teen to fake whatever behavior and |
| underlying causes of the anger and defiance, although | | | | attitude is required, knowing that he'll get out before |
| this is less true of the "boot camps", due to their | | | | long. If boot camps for troubled teens don't work, |
| shorter term. | | | | what does? |
| "Boot Camps" are generally shorter term-typically 3-6 | | | | If a change of environment and some sort of |
| weeks. They focus on the rebelliousness of the teen, | | | | residential program seems indicated, Residential |
| and can be compared to a military boot camp where | | | | Boarding Schools and Therapeutic Boarding Schools, |
| physical challenges instill values of respect and | | | | with a longer-term focus, and with a more supportive |
| dependability. The emphasis on physical challenges | | | | and less confrontational style are generally regarded |
| and physical fitness can lead to new outlooks and the | | | | as a better alternative. This type of school has more |
| replacement of negative behaviors with positive ones. | | | | time to devote to the client than the typical boot |
| The idea is that in some cases, all the child needs is a | | | | camp or wilderness camp has. They also usually have |
| reality check. This is less likely to be the case if the | | | | more clinical staff and an orientation towards support, |
| teen has been evidencing great anger and defiance | | | | understanding, and counseling. They can dig beneath |
| for a long time. Even if the negative behavior is fairly | | | | the surface to determine the underlying issues that |
| short term, the results of a short-term boot camp | | | | are leading to the anger and defiance. Treating these |
| may not last, and the child may require follow-up | | | | underlying issues is generally much more effective |
| counseling to stay on the straight and narrow. | | | | than just demanding compliance and trying to "knock" |
| Many professionals believe that boot camps don't | | | | the anger and defiance out of the child. |
| really work. Very strict military-style discipline with | | | | |