Help for Troubled teens and their Family

• Good potential, yet under-achieving. Students referred to specialty programs often have shown a decline in academic or athletic performance and confidence over the preceding 12 months, and are no longer performing to their potential. Efforts to encourage them have been met with resistance or anger.
• A recent history of poor behavioral choices. Students served in specialty programs have typically made poor choices within the home and their community, often accompanied by a change in friends who are supportive of poor choices.
• Struggles managing emotions. Students served in some specialty programs may have a history of psychological treatment for depression, anxiety and other emotional conditions, and may have been unresponsive to attempts to provide counseling.
• Difficulties within the family. Often, parents and their child have experienced increased distance and tension within the family. Communication often seems cut off, and parents may feel unable to discuss their concerns productively with their child. Often, students and their families have difficulty [values]
• An unhealthy relationship with peers. Sometimes students referred to specialty programs have experienced rejection or abuse by peers, and may feel lonely or incapable of making friends. Often, a young person's recent choices in friends may have contributed to his or her difficulties, supporting poor choices, self-image, and unhealthy separation from family.
• Substance experimentation, abuse or dependency. Students served in many programs have demonstrated unhealthy choices in their use of alcohol or drugs. Commonly, parents may have just discovered their child's substance use, or become aware of difficulties in social, academic, or occupational functioning related to substance use.
• Recent difficulties with authorities. Students served in many programs may have run into trouble with legal authorities or school officials. Private therapeutic services are sometimes sought as an alternative response to legal proceedings or expulsion.
• Differences in learning. Some students served in specialty programs exhibit differences in their learning needs, and may not have responded to interventions offered through their public and private schools if provided. Emotional issues, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or specific learning disabilities may have left the student feeling hopeless about her future and unmotivated to try.