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Alternatives to Boot Camps for Troubled Teens

With intervention and commitment you can give your teen
a second chance at success ... for happiness ... for life.
Critical Note Regarding Boot Camps for Troubled Teens: Before ANY other intervention options are implemented for troubled teens we recommend that you have a FREE consultation with "Parent and Teen Resources." Thousands of parents have "mis-placed" their children in abusive and ineffective intervention programs. "Parent and Teen Resources" could have helped them avoid the common mistakes parents make when seeking intervention services for their children. The results of these mistakes include the loss of money, time, and in some cases the loss of their children. "Parent and Teen Resources" has more experience with teen intervention services than the vast majority of placement professionals in this industry. They know the strengths and the vast weaknesses of residential programs (especially boot camps for troubled teens). Before you throw your money into residential treatment serious consider a FREE consultation with "Parent and Teen Resources."

FOR IMMEDIATE TEEN HELP
Use our FREE TEEN RESOURCES consultation through the link on the RIGHT side of this page
OR

To Make a Placement Inquiry
Read Below, then contact us.*

    Does Your Teen Struggle With the Following?

  • Always in Conflict with Family Members
  • Defies or Disregards Family Rules
  • Avoids Positive Interaction with Family
  • Unpredictable Changes in Personality
  • Refuses to Take Responsibility
  • Uses Anger to Manipulate Others
  • Unable to Control Emotions
  • Pits Parents Against One Another
  • Lies, Steals, and Generally Sneaky
  • Is Not Motivated to Function, Work, etc.
  • Has an "I hate you," attitude
  • Has a "You can't make me," attitude
  • Abuses Substances
  • Has Extensive School Problems
  • Is Facing Legal Action and Problems
  • Assaults, Bullies, or is Violent
  • Can't Feel Good Unless Others Are Stressed
  • Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD)
  • Creates a "Circus" Around Him/Herself
  • Shows Signs of Depression
  • Has Attempted or Threatens Suicide
  • Risky Sexual Behavior
  • Cutting - Self-Harm or Mutilation
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
  • Eating Disorder (Anorexia, Bulimia)
  • Learning Disabilities (LD)

If your teen is struggling with any of these issues, get help now.

For placement assistance follow our TEEN HELP link (the "Please Help Me Now!" link)
Contact us for help with placement in a residential program that is BETTER than a Boot Camp for Troubled Teens.*

Although InsightPros remains neutral with regard to religious preferences and treatment, we often hear from parents who are eager to share their religious evaluations of our intervention philosophy. We do NOT recommend the methodologies traditionally associated Boot Camps for Troubled Teens. Instead we take an approach that requires us to see the greatness in each teen, regardless of the challenges associated with the teen's background or history, and we see it as our responsibility to help these young people to discover their own strengths beyond these obvious hurdles.

Recently a parent who had chosen NOT to send her child to a Boot Camp for Troubled Teens sent us a note that referenced the following: "Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul" (Ps 54:4). She explained that we seem to recognize the value of every teen, who in turn is ALWAYS supported and loved by God. She said that because we seek to uphold the souls of his children the Lord is with us in our work.

At her request we are not sharing her name. Nonetheless, her sentiments are received with respect, honor, and gratitude. Moreover, her understanding of the difference between the approach of programs such as Boot Camps for Troubled Teens, which oppress the will of the teens in their care, and programs that help to build long-term strength and solutions within these teens is profound.

Boot Camps for Troubled Teens produce, at best, short-term results that are based upon a philosophy of change that requires domination of the will of others, rather than helping them to discover and adhere to a stronger, healthier sense of will. As you pursue residential intervention for your troubled teen, we strongly suggest that you do your research. Boot Camps for Troubled Teens are, traditionally, poor choices for the help you are seeking.

Does Your Child Need a Boot Camp for Troubled Teens?

Often when teens struggle with the numerous issues they face in today's society they become, frankly, quite unpleasant. Thousands of families throughout the country have felt that the best way to get youth back on track is to send them to boot camps for troubled teens. The idea is to both "straighten them out" and to legally punish them in the most painful way possible. However, unreported in both the media and from these programs is the fact that there is very little statistical evidence that boot camps for troubled teens have a long-term impact on the success of the child. In fact, there is mounting evidence that they are both ineffective and in many cases detrimental.But there are other options to boot camps for troubled teens. InsightPros is here to help.

What are Boot Camps for Troubled Teens?

Teen boot camps are correctional programs for delinquent youth in a military-style environment. These programs typically emphasize discipline and physical conditioning and were developed as a rigorous alternative to longer terms of confinement in juvenile correctional facilities. Many, but not all, of these programs are followed by a period of probation or some form of aftercare. Boot camps are generally restricted to non-violent or first-time offenders.

The idea of "shock incarceration" as a tough, low-cost alternative to more intensive programming brought about the establishment of military-style boot camps for troubled teens.

Are Boot Camps Effective? Experts agree that a confrontational approach is often inappropriate. Most correctional and military experts agree that a confrontational model, employing tactics of intimidation and humiliation, is counterproductive for most troubled teens. The use of this kind of model has led to disturbing incidents of abuse. For youth with emotional, behavioral, or learning problems, degrading tactics may be particularly inappropriate and potentially damaging. The bullying style and aggressive interactions that characterize the boot camp environment fail to model the pro-social behavior and development of empathy that these youth really need to learn.

Positive changes demonstrated while in the boot camp may not last when a youth returns to his community. Many juveniles report that the program is helpful to them and they feel more positive about their futures. It is unclear, however, whether these attitudes persist after youth leave the boot camp, or whether they are related to actual changes in behavior once a youth returns to his community. Without significant therapeutic intervention while in the program, as well as specialized aftercare following release, boot camp programs have been consistently unsuccessful in "changing" juveniles.

What are the alternatives? Youth who need some form of treatment care require an individualized approach that takes their strengths and needs into account. Programs and policies should be family-centered, including the family in all decision making about a child, as well as culturally and developmentally appropriate. Research has shown that small, family-centered programs are more effective than boot camps in the long term.

You have made the right choice in seeking help. The next step is to contact us. We have a great deal of experience in the treatment care industry. We have worked in the industry. We have lived in the industry. We have seen what works ...... and what doesn't.

We will guide you. We will inform you. Take advantage of our knowledge and insight. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

To inquire regarding placement in a residential program that is NOT a Boot Camp for Troubled Teens, follow our contact link (above right). To contact us regarding placement in a TEEN HELP SCHOOL you may call us at the number on our contact page (option 2, above right).*

* The toll-free placement number and the contact form provided on this site to assist with residential placement both result in inquiries being directed to "Parent and Teen Resources," an independent organization from the organizations operated by the owners of InsightPros.Com and StrongModel.Com (InsightPros). "Parent and Teen Resources" is bound by law and by the InsightPros Privacy Policy to guarantee the confidentiality and security of your information. This teen help phone number as well as the contact form are provided for the convenience of, and a resource to our site visitors. All data passed through the form is directly transferred to a secure database, rather than through email. Both the technological and the human resources of this service are provided to you "as is" without express or implied warranty of any kind. InsightPros does NOT receive any "per placement" or "commission-based" remuneration for placements made by "Parent and Teen Resources" in any treatment program. "Parent and Teen Resources" is one among many advertisers on the InsightPros sites who fulfills their purpose by providing site users with additional resources, and may or may not assist you with placement in boot camps for teenagers. You agree, by using either the placement phone number or the contact form on this site, to indemnify, defend and hold InsightPros.Com and its owners harmless from and against any losses, claims, liabilities, damages, costs or expense of any kind (including reasonable attorneys' fees) which arise out of, relate to or are in any way connected with "Parent and Teen Resources" and any actual or alleged acts or omissions by "Parent and Teen Resources," its employees, agents and representatives.