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National Recovery Month: Celebrating the Journey of Recovery
National Recovery Month, observed every September, is a time to recognize and celebrate the strides made by individuals who are in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health challenges. It also honors the dedication of the families, friends, and professionals who provide crucial support in this journey. The significance of National Recovery Month lies…
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The Recent Decline of Resilience
I Building resilience, or the ability to handle adversity, is crucial for the transition into adulthood. However, conversations with employers, educators, and parents today often reveal stories about young adults struggling with issues ranging from severe stress and anxiety to academic pressures and even basic tasks like doing laundry. Pop culture often portrays Millennials as…
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Codependency in Relationships
Codependency, also known as relationship addiction, involves neglecting one’s own needs to prioritize the needs of a partner, family member, or friend. A codependent person may depend on someone in their life to fulfill their spiritual, emotional, mental, financial, or physical needs and seek validation of their self-worth from others. It’s estimated that up to…
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School Refusal in Teens
Dealing with a teenager who refuses to go to school can be quite challenging, particularly if it becomes a recurring problem. As a parent, you might feel unsure about how to manage the situation, which can lead to frustration and even anger. While these emotions are natural, it’s crucial to consider how your response will…
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A Guide to Paying for Therapeutic Boarding School or Residential Treatment for Your Child
If you have a child that is really struggling in school, at home, or making bad choices in social situations, and you are considering a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center, it can be overwhelming. The first thoughts are often, how will you possibly pay for it and how much will it cost. I…
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Comprehensive Program Descriptions for Teens with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
After visiting a wide range of therapeutic programs, families can rely on an IECA member to guide them through the critical process of finding the right program for their child. The level of placement recommendation is determined by a very thorough process that includes the independent educational consultant working with the family, records review, and…
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Understanding and Addressing Adolescent Porn Addiction
Studies indicate that for many, sexual problematic behavior first begins during the adolescent years. According to Youth First, the average age of a child the first time they see internet pornography is 11 years. Some studies indicate the actual age may be as young as 7 years. Early intervention is essential for avoiding a lifetime…
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The Benefits of Working with an IECA Member Educational Consultant
IECA member consultants who specialize in therapeutic placements have extensive experience with mental health diagnoses, adolescent behaviors, substance abuse, emotional disabilities, and learning differences. They are able to help families during a time of crisis and offer support and direction to recommend the best intervention and solution. When your child, adolescent, or young adult is…
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The Emotional ABCs of Parents of a Struggling Adolescent or Teen
If you are a parent of a struggling child, you may be reeling with emotions. You are NOT alone! Many parents have been in the same position and find themselves seeking the assistance of an Educational Consultant. Some of the emotions parents say they feel… Angry Battered Confused Desparate Embarrassed Frustrated Guilt Ridden Hopeless Isolated…
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The Joy of Education Consulting: Helping Families Find the Right Path
I have just placed a client in a wonderful residential treatment center, after working diligently to find just the right fit. I say it that way, because this was an exceptionally challenging case for several reasons. The timing was difficult, the age of the client was tricky, and several other factors came in to consideration…
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How to Find the Best Therapeutic Program for Your Child: A Guide for Parents
If you are a parent considering a therapeutic program for your child, it can be overwhelming! There are so many programs available. It is difficult to get much information from a school’s website, because often programs have similar information posted. However, each program has its own personality and speciality, just as each child has a…
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Willing to Do Whatever it Takes: A Parent’s Journey to Help Their Struggling Teen
I was watching an episode of Dr. Phil the other day, and is often the case, the show was about an out of control teen and the resulting chaos within the family. I have to be honest, I am sucked in to these particular stories, because of my own experience with an out of control…
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Understanding Self-Harm: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know
What is self-harm? Why would anyone hurt themselves? What do you do if someone you care about is self-harming? Understanding self-harm is difficult for most people. Often, those engaging in self -harm, keep it a secret, because it causes them to feel shame and they are afraid of the reaction they will get if they…
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10 Tips for Visiting Therapeutic Programs for Your Troubled Teen
An onsite visit will help you evaluate whether a particular therapeutic program is a good fit for your child and your family. Below are 10 tips to consider when visiting: 1. Learn about the program prior to your visit. Check out the program’s website. If you are visiting multiple programs, make sure to have notes…
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Trauma and Healing: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Adolescent Mental Health
When speaking with mental health professionals, the discussion often involves trauma as a factor in mental health and addiction. The research from ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Study, indicates that the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma is significant. The need to uncover the underlying trauma is critical in treating addiction and mental illness successfully. It is…
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“What If?” Navigating the Uncertainty of Parenting a Troubled Teen
I recently received a call from by best friend. She lives in Virginia, where we met 19 years ago. We have lived in different states for 17 of the 19 years we have known each other. However, we have remained close. We share our fears for our children, our aging parents, extended family, etc. We…
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Setting Boundaries with Your Troubled Teen: A Guide for Parents
Setting boundaries with our children is one of the most important things we can do for them. It is our responsibility as parents. However, setting firm boundaries with our children, especially our teen children, is very difficult! We have to follow some basic rules when setting boundaries for our children, as well as others:
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The Benefits of a Therapeutic Boarding School for Troubled Teens
Therapeutic boarding schools are residential facilities designed to house struggling teens or adolescents while they get intensive, ongoing help with a range of issues. The benefits of a therapeutic school are many, because the facilities provide everything a teen, and their family, need to support recovery. It may seem drastic for parents to place their…