Personal experience with teen residential treatment centers?
My teenage daughter is going through severe depression, agoraphobia and social anxiety. She has been through the partial hospitalization program and is on meds but some bad days are still very, very bad with suicidal ideation. After crying together and riding the wave together, she said that she would consider a residential treatment program even though she is terrified of being with people outside of her immediate family. Looking briefly online is a bit terrifying as the range of experience at various sites seem to differ so much. Can anyone share with me personal experience with residential treatment centers for teenage girls? Ideally near the Bay Area as she would feel more comfortable being close to home. Thank you.
May 1, 2021
Parent Replies
I would recommend hiring an EC - Educational Consultant. They will help you navigate your options. Also look in to Wilderness Therapy. This might help stabilize before putting her in a therapeutic Boarding School or Residential Treatment Center.
The best thing to do is to get an Educational Consultant. They help you identify appropriate placements and navigate the system. One place to get help is through a Facebook group Wilderness and Residential Therapy Search. There are lots of very knowledgeable parents on there as well as Units at the top of the page with information. It’s a lot to do on your own but these resources make it possible.
Hello--please feel free to email me. I have experience with this. I believe you can reach me through my username, or the moderators.
I'm surprised no one has recommended contacting Willows in the Wind, an organization formed by parents whose children needed residential placement. https://www.willowsinthewind.com
I totally agree Willows in the Wind is a great place to find families struggling with the same issues and getting advice and support. On Facebook there is a page called Wilderness Therapy and Residential Treatment Search Support. There are a lot of folks on there who have been down this road and others who are on it now. I would also make sure your child has a therapist and you have a family therapist as well. Its a hard road but there are more Warrior Parents out there than you would imagine! Take care