Teen Treatment Center for Boys Struggling With a Mental Health Crisis
As a parent, seeing your son fight a mental health battle can leave you feeling powerless. But don't lose hope. With the right guidance and support, your son can embark on a journey towards a fulfilling, healthy life. It's natural to question whether a teen treatment center can effectively address your son's difficulties and provide him with the necessary support. Here at Discovery Ranch, we understand the overwhelming nature of this situation, and we firmly believe that not only can your family triumph over these struggles, but you can also acquire the essential skills to flourish in the days ahead. This guide to treating mental health crises in teens will help you know if your son needs a residential treatment program for teenage boys. With our support, you can look forward to a brighter future for your son. Empower your family and start the healing process today.
What Discovery Ranch Students Have in Common
In the process of creating our teen treatment center, a striking pattern emerged: the vast majority of our students can be classified as highly sensitive teens. This distinctive trait, while a profound gift, also positions these young individuals on a precarious edge when lacking the proper coping mechanisms and resilience. Teenagers often experience a wide range of difficulties due to their heightened sensitivity. This can include struggles with managing their emotions, developing unhealthy defense mechanisms, and dealing with complex behavioral and mental health problems and issues. These challenges often stem from their strong and deeply felt reactions to their surroundings and social interactions.
Our mission became clear—to construct a sanctuary designed with these unique needs in mind. It became our top priority to furnish these bright, perceptive teens with the robust set of skills and resilience they need to not just survive but flourish in a society that often misunderstands and undervalues sensitivity.
This commitment has shaped every facet of our approach, ensuring that as parents, you can trust that your child is receiving care that is as compassionate as it is comprehensive, providing a solid foundation upon which they can build a thriving, balanced life.
Transformative Journey: Testimonials from Alumni
Mental Health Issues in Teenage Boys That We Commonly Treat
Discovery Ranch offers comprehensive treatment options tailored specifically for teens dealing with:
- Anxiety Disorders including social anxiety and panic attacks.
- Depression, Mood Disorders, & Related Struggles:
- Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts
- Isolating From Peers & Family
- Low Self-Esteem
- Extreme Loneliness
- Trauma, PTSD, and being bullied
- Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Adoption / Anxious Attachment Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Personality Disorders
- Relationship Problems & Social Struggles
- Out-of-control Behaviors
- Anger management issues
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
- Family Conflict
- Poor Parent-Child Relationships
- Risky Behaviors
- Impulsivity & Poor Impulse Control
- Running away
- Substance use
- Behavioral or Process Addictions:
- Tech Addictions including social media and gaming addictions
- Cutting and self-harm
- Academic Underachievement
- Sudden decline in academic performance
- Failing School
- School Refusal & Avoidance
- Learning Disorders & Non-Verbal Learning Disability
- Poor Emotional Regulation:
- High Sensitivity
- Low Frustration Tolerance
- Emotionally Reactive
- Low Resilience and Grit
- Co-occurring disorders
Exclusionary criteria include:
Our residential treatment program treats a wide spectrum of mental health concerns. We do not provide services for specific conditions and behavioral issues to maintain an optimal setting for everyone involved. Discovery Ranch is unable to accommodate individuals with the following:
- Severe eating disorders that require medical intervention.
- Active hallucinations
- Conduct Disorders
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia, or Schizoaffective Disorder
- Students with a history of violence outside of the home or problematic sexual behaviors
- IQ lower than 80
Does Your Son Need a Teen Treatment Center?
No parent wants to send their son away for treatment. Residential treatment is typically seen as a last resort for families, which unfortunately means that some families miss out on the advantages of early intervention. Determining when your son requires the level of care offered by a residential treatment center can be challenging, even for professionals with experience.
To help you assess your son's needs, here are some signs that indicate he may benefit from a treatment program:
- Academic Struggles - Persistent academic challenges may indicate that your son has underlying mental or behavioral issues that could be effectively addressed in a residential treatment setting.
- Behavioral Problems - two main signs indicate whether your son's behavioral issues require immediate intervention:
- When his behavior negatively impacts family members' mental or physical health or causes irreparable harm.
- When negative behaviors and coping mechanisms become entrenched habits, making it increasingly difficult to overcome these issues.
- Relationship Problems - If your son's relationships with family and peers reach a point where they seem irreparable.
- Safety Concerns - You feel that you are unable to keep them safe or you have to spend so much time effort and energy keeping them safe that it is damaging your health and impacting your family's health.
- Unresponsive to outpatient therapy - If you have exhausted various treatment options without seeing improvement. You just want them to be happy and it seems like nothing else has worked.
- Recommended by a mental health professional - When a mental health professional, therapist, or school counselor recognizes the need for more extensive help and suggests a residential treatment center.
The longer you wait to get effective help for your son, the more difficult it becomes to change his negative behaviors and patterns. Talk with your son's therapist, ask an educational consultant, or schedule a call with our admissions team if you think your son might need residential treatment. Act now to ensure your son receives the necessary support for positive growth and development.
Is Residential Treatment Right For Your Son?
Why Choose Discovery Ranch’s Residential Treatment Center for Boys?
When your teenage son is struggling with his mental health, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to support him. But you don't have to face this on your own. Here at Discovery Ranch, we provide a compassionate and supportive environment where we use evidence-based therapies to help your son confront underlying issues and overcome his challenges. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping your son grow, heal, and develop the necessary skills to succeed in life.
Discovery Ranch is different from other treatment programs in a few ways. Our therapists, who have an average of over 23 years of experience, have designed a treatment program specifically tailored to meet the needs of teenage boys dealing with mental, emotional, or behavioral health issues. We integrate experiential therapy throughout our program as we provide a variety of evidence-based therapies to personalize each boy's treatment experience. As part of our commitment to helping teenage boys develop resilience, our caring and experienced staff offer 24/7 support.
Experienced Mental Health Support
Get access to one of the most experienced teams of mental and behavioral health industry experts, each with an average of over 23 years of experience. With this dedicated team working towards your son's wellness, their extensive expertise allows them to design a personalized treatment strategy to address his unique needs. Their extensive experience also allows them to easily adjust and adapt to any unexpected challenges that may arise. This enables them to provide the best support possible, allowing him to thrive and progress.
Treatment Specifically Designed for Teenage Boys
At Discovery Ranch, we have assisted more than 1000 families over the past 18 years. Our team has developed a unique treatment program exclusively for teenage boys. This means that every aspect of their therapy is tailored to meet their unique developmental needs and challenges. Your son will receive support that connects with his experiences and helps him confidently navigate adolescence. Through a combination of evidence-based talk therapies and challenging experiences, we empower these young men by building their confidence, resilience, and essential life skills.
Evidence-Based Treatments
At Discovery Ranch, our team of mental health professionals includes licensed therapists experienced in a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities. These various therapeutic approaches are tailored to address specific teen mental health and concerns and have been proven through research to be effective in helping teens overcome their mental health issues. At Discovery Ranch, we offer a range of successful therapies, including:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- and Neurofeedback (NFB)
These therapies support treatment for various disorders and focus on aiding teens in:
- managing challenging emotions
- maintaining stable relationships
- change their negative coping mechanisms into positive coping strategies
Experiential Approach
At Discovery Ranch, we strongly believe in utilizing therapeutic experiences that result in emotional breakthroughs and lasting change. We provide a wide range of experiences as part of this holistic approach, including:
- Calf adoption program
- Equine Therapy
- Recreational Therapy
- Art, Music, Drama, & Expressive Arts
- Service Opportunities
- Outdoor Adventure Outings
By combining these different methods, we ensure a faster and more pleasant healing experience for the young men in our program.
24/7 Support From a Compassionate & Caring Community
After challenging days full of therapeutic experiences, your son won't have to process them alone. When you opt for a residential program with 24/7 support, he will be surrounded by a caring community of peers and experienced staff who will understand and support him through it all.
This constant support system is like a safety net that offers immediate help when your son is feeling emotionally or behaviorally overwhelmed. It helps him feel like he belongs and reduces any feelings of being alone by connecting him with others who may be going through similar challenges. With this community, your child will always have someone to turn to, no matter what time of day it is.
This 24/7 support is crucial for his emotional growth and encourages positive changes in behavior. Rest assured that your son is not alone on his healing and self-discovery journey.
Building Resilience in Teenage Boys: Preparing Them To Thrive Throughout Their Lives
At Discovery Ranch, we don't want your son to simply no longer have mental health challenges. Just because he no longer struggles with depression, anxiety, or something else, doesn't mean he's happy. Our goal is to help him thrive and become a happy, healthy young adult, despite any past challenges or future difficulties he may face. Nurturing resilience in teenagers and providing them with crucial coping skills is vital to achieving this objective, and forms a fundamental part of our program.
We invite you to take the courageous step towards a brighter future for your son by choosing Discovery Ranch. Begin the healing journey today and allow us the privilege of walking alongside you and your family. Together, we can unlock the potential that lies within your child, paving the way for a healthier, happier life. Reach out to us, and let's take that first step towards healing and hope.
You Have Questions, We Have Answers. Your Call is Confidential.
The Role of Family in Successful Recovery
The recovery of your son from a mental health crisis is a journey that involves the whole family. It is important for the family to actively participate in his mental health treatment as it can greatly support his commitment to recovery. Involving the family not only brings positive changes but also helps in healing the emotional wounds caused by mental health struggles within the family.
Family Therapy Sessions
Family therapy sessions play a crucial role in helping your son on his path to recovery. The idea behind this approach is that making changes in one part of the family system can have a ripple effect throughout. Your family therapist will support your family members in making specific, positive changes that will give more support for your son's recovery, and help your whole family. They will also work on improving communication within your family, rebuilding trust, encouraging emotional expression, and promoting personal well-being.
Hope Restored: Stories of Success from Our Teen Treatment Center
The Journey to Healing Our Successful Treatment Outcomes
At Discovery Ranch, we understand the critical role of specialized care in your son's journey towards overcoming mental health challenges. Our teen treatment program is meticulously crafted to meet the unique needs of each of our students and is delivered by experts accredited by distinguished institutions. Emphasizing the importance of family participation in the recovery process, our center aims to cultivate resilience and personal development in young people, setting a course for triumphant healing.
Backed by The Joint Commission which ensures programs adhere to the highest quality of clinical and medical practices.
Designated as a NATSAP Research Program, showing our commitment to well-researched practices in our program.
Full member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), which ensure regulation of programs that serve children and adolescents.
Discovery Ranch South is fully licensed in the state of Utah.
This program is proud to be Cognia Accredited.
Founding member of Choose Mental Health, guiding families with questions about mental health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Recognizing the need for teen residential treatment program can be a challenging decision for parents. Here are some signs to consider:
- Failed Outpatient Therapy: If previous attempts at outpatient therapy have been unsuccessful in addressing the child's behavioral or emotional issues, it may indicate the need for a more intensive level of care.
- Persistent Behavioral Issues: Parents should pay attention to persistent behavioral issues at home or school that have not improved despite interventions. Waiting until a crisis occurs or until the child reaches a critical age, such as approaching 18, may delay necessary treatment.
- Lack of Accountability: When there is a lack of accountability in therapy sessions, where the child may manipulate or avoid addressing their issues, it can signal the need for a structured environment like residential treatment. In outpatient therapy, there may be limited involvement of parents, leading to a disconnect between therapy sessions and real-life situations.
- Resistance to Change: If the child shows resistance to change or lacks motivation to engage in therapy, despite clear signs of distress or dysfunction, it may indicate the need for a more intensive treatment approach.
Parents should not wait until a crisis occurs or until other interventions have failed before considering a residential treatment program. Recognizing persistent issues, lack of progress in therapy, and resistance to change are key indicators that may suggest the need for a higher level of care for their child.
Take a free teen assessment to see if your son needs residential treatment.
Discovery Ranch strives to heal your family as a whole. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly family therapy sessions, family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. You will also be able to observe your son's progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program.
The entire residential facility is designed to create a rich therapeutic and healing environment. In this experiential, safe, and supportive environment, your son will confront his challenges with the goal of healing and increasing his capacity which builds his self-confidence and self-esteem. You can be assured that your son will not confront these challenges alone. He will have the support of well-trained and experienced clinical, academic, residential, and experiential staff members. Your son will have the opportunity to build the strength and resilience he needs to thrive at home.
In addition to taking part in the equine therapy and horsemanship programs, he will have access to the fully-equipped music studio. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. As part of the therapeutic learning process, all boys participate in weekly ropes activities that build character and help develop lifelong skills.
At Discovery Ranch, you don't have to worry about choosing therapy over academics. Here, academics and therapy go hand-in-hand. Your teen will be part of a small, nurturing learning community. This is possible because the academic support is highly individualized. Your teen will not have to compete for attention among thirty or more students. Here, teacher and teacher's aides teach a class of four to twelve students. Your teen will experience individualized attention every day. Discovery Ranch has successfully guided many students through high school completion and assisted in the transition to college, vocational training, and employment.
Educational consultants play a crucial role in helping families navigate the complex process of finding the most suitable residential placement for their loved ones. These consultants are experienced professionals who work closely with families, schools, and programs across various locations, including internationally.
Here's how they can assist:
- Expert Guidance: Educational consultants conduct thorough assessments of each family's unique needs and preferences. Drawing from their extensive experience and knowledge of various programs, they offer expert guidance to streamline the search process.
- Time-saving: With firsthand knowledge of numerous programs, consultants can significantly reduce the time and effort families would otherwise spend researching options online. This saves families from the overwhelming task of sifting through countless programs without knowing which ones are reputable or suitable for their specific situation.
- Advocacy: Consultants establish relationships with program staff and act as advocates for families throughout the placement process. They ensure that the chosen program aligns with the family's requirements and effectively represents their interests.
- Accountability: Educational consultants serve as a vital third-party watchdog, holding programs accountable for their actions. If any issues arise or mistakes are made, consultants work with programs to address and rectify them promptly.
Educational consultants offer invaluable support to families during times of crisis, providing expert guidance, saving time, advocating for their needs, and ensuring accountability within the placement process. Working with a consultant can significantly enhance the chances of finding the most suitable residential placement for a loved one.
Combining quality and quantity of therapy is essential for effectively addressing the needs of sensitive teens in residential treatment. Here's how:
- Structured Schedule: By offering therapy throughout the day, instead of competing with traditional school hours, Discovery Ranch can provide a more structured environment. This allows for consistent engagement in therapeutic activities without interruptions, leading to better outcomes.
- Reduced Stress: Separating therapy sessions from academic classes reduces the stress and pressure on teens. With a later start to school, teens have time to process issues and prepare for the day, minimizing distractions during class time.
- Increased Support: With staff available until late at night, RTCs can offer a higher ratio of support staff to students than required by state regulations. This means more individualized attention and support for each teen, enhancing the quality of care provided.
- Experiential Therapy: Incorporating off-campus activities, such as equine therapy or recreational outings, allows teens to engage in experiential learning. This hands-on approach provides valuable insights into their emotions and behaviors, complementing traditional therapy sessions. It also offers a more accurate assessment of the teen's progress, as actions often speak louder than words.
The combination of quality therapy, facilitated by a structured schedule and increased support, along with the number of therapy sessions and experiential activities, enables Discovery Ranch to tailor treatment to the unique needs of sensitive teens effectively. This holistic approach fosters a supportive environment where teens can thrive and make meaningful progress towards their goals.
Learn more about the residential program at Discovery Ranch.
Discovery Ranch is renowned for its exceptional clinical services, distinguishing itself through a combination of highly experienced therapists and a comprehensive range of therapy modalities. Here's why our program stands out:
- Experienced Therapists: Our team of therapists boasts an average of 23 and a half years of experience, making them one of the most seasoned teams in the United States. With minimal turnover, our therapists provide consistent and reliable support to our students.
- Specialized Therapy Modalities: We offer a diverse array of therapeutic approaches to cater to the individual needs of our students. Our therapists are trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a highly researched method focused on mindfulness and emotional regulation, into our treatment plans. Additionally, we offer Neurofeedback and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and are equipped to address trauma effectively.
- Innovative Programs: Our curriculum includes specialized classes such as the Healthy Relationships class, developed to address issues related to excessive pornography use and promote healthy relationship dynamics. Led by experienced facilitators like Brigham, these programs provide students with valuable insights and skills to navigate complex social challenges.
- Group Therapy: Our group therapy sessions encompass various activities, including equine therapy and DBT process groups, which foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal skills development. These sessions are highly beneficial and complement individual therapy sessions.
- Inclusive Approach: We recognize the diverse needs of our students, including those on the autism spectrum. Therapy modalities such as DBT have proven to be effective for individuals with autism, offering concrete skills and emotional regulation techniques that are applicable in various contexts.
Discovery Ranch offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to clinical services, with a focus on experienced therapists, specialized therapy modalities, innovative programs, and inclusivity. We are dedicated to providing effective therapeutic interventions that empower our students to achieve lasting personal growth and success.
Experiential therapy is highly beneficial for highly sensitive teens as it offers a unique approach to therapeutic intervention. Here's how it helps:
- Getting Out of Comfort Zones: Highly sensitive teens often struggle to verbalize their emotions and may feel anxious or fearful. Experiential therapy encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and engage in hands-on activities. By facing challenges head-on, teens learn to overcome their fears and build resilience.
- Observational Learning: Through experiential activities like climbing walls, hiking, or equine therapy, therapists can observe how teens interact with their environment and peers. These observations provide valuable insights into the teens' thought patterns, emotional responses, and interpersonal dynamics, allowing for targeted therapeutic interventions.
- Building Confidence: As teens successfully navigate through experiential challenges, their confidence grows. Whether it's reaching the top of a climbing wall or completing a team task in equine therapy, each achievement contributes to their sense of accomplishment and self-assurance.
- Individualized Treatment: Discovery Ranch offers a wide range of experiential activities tailored to meet the unique needs of each teen. From equine therapy and recreational outings to off-campus excursions like cross-country skiing, therapy plans are customized to address specific issues such as trauma, adoption, or substance abuse.
- Therapist Involvement: Therapists actively participate in experiential activities alongside the teens, providing support, encouragement, and modeling healthy behaviors. This hands-on approach fosters a strong therapeutic bond and reinforces the lessons learned during the activities.
Experiential therapy at Discovery Ranch offers highly sensitive teens the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and develop resilience in a supportive environment. By combining hands-on activities with therapist involvement and individualized treatment plans, experiential therapy promotes holistic growth and emotional well-being.
Integrated CARE Model: Our Clinical, Academic, Residential, and Experiential Departments All Work Together.
At Discovery Ranch, all of our professional departments work together with the same goal in mind: helping your teen learn, grow, and heal so your family can be whole again. Using an Integrated Care model, our Clinical, Academic, Residential, and Experiential departments all work closely together to streamline your teen's experience. These departments will provide ongoing feedback and support that will help your teen achieve their therapeutic goals on a daily basis.
Cinical
At Discovery Ranch, our expert therapeutic team specializes in helping struggling teens. Each clinician is highly qualified, holding a Master's or Doctorate, and focuses their specialized interventions on a small group of just six students. This approach guarantees personalized care for your son, providing peace of mind with our top-quality treatment team and support staff.
Academic
At Discovery Ranch, we understand that challenges like a mental illness, health concerns, anxiety, school avoidance, depression, and learning difficulties can impact your son's education. Our program provides tailored classes, including credit recovery, regular, honors, and AP options, to help your son catch up or accelerate his learning journey. We're committed to supporting his unique educational needs.
Residential
Nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains on a sprawling 20+ acre campus, Discovery Ranch provides a premier environment for your son's personal growth. Our comprehensive residential program boasts highly skilled staff and exceptional indoor and outdoor facilities for equine therapy, ranch activities, and sports, ensuring each activity promotes therapeutic and meaningful progress. Through engaging in various activities and community service, your son will build success, self-confidence, and the resilience needed to face life's challenges.
Experiential
At Discovery Ranch, we focus on experiential therapy, building strong connections through daily interactions with our dedicated team, including therapists, mentors, and teachers. Your son will engage in individual and group therapy, while participating in hands-on activities like Equine Therapy, Rec Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy. This immersive approach ensures constant therapeutic engagement, making the experience more effective for struggling teens. Our proven method fosters lasting success in our program.