Finding the Right Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) and Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Service: Individual TherapyService: Child & Teen Therapy

Dec 21

What are Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs)?

Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) and therapeutic boarding schools offer specialized, intensive behavioral health treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults within a residential group setting. These facilities are tailored for young individuals who need a longer term, structured environment to address severe emotional and behavioral disorders that cannot be effectively managed in less restrictive settings. The quality and objectives of these programs can vary significantly. In the latter part of this blog, we will explore various placement consultants who can assist in navigating the myriad of options available nationwide. Additionally, we will highlight some programs that have received positive feedback from firsthand experiences.

Pros of RTFs:

Intensive, Multidisciplinary Care: RTFs offer holistic, strength-based mental health services with a team that may include psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and special education teachers[2].
Structured Environment: Provides a stable and controlled environment which is crucial for treatment effectiveness[2].
Family Involvement: This is often the most important component. Good RTFs encourage active participation of families in the treatment process, which is vital for the child’s recovery[5].

Finding the Right Residential Treatment Facilities (RTFs) and Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Cons of RTFs:

Separation from Community: Children are removed from their usual home environment, which can be challenging for both the child and the family[5].
Duration of Stay: Treatment typically requires a longer stay (ranging from several months to a year), which might affect academic and social life[2].
Cost and Accessibility: These facilities can be expensive and may not be covered by all insurance types; also, availability can vary by location[5].
Risks for harm: While many RTFs are well-managed and safe, the nature of congregating youths with diverse and significant mental health issues can increase the potential for impulsive or unsafe behaviors among peers.

What are Therapeutic Boarding Schools?

Therapeutic Boarding Schools are specialized schools that provide clinical therapy and academic programs to adolescents who struggle with mental health issues, alongside behavioral and emotional disorders[1].

Pros of Therapeutic Boarding Schools:

Academic Continuity: These schools are fully accredited and offer real school academic programs, ensuring that education continues alongside therapy[1].
Targeted Therapies: Focus on specific behavioral improvements and mental health treatments tailored to adolescents’ needs[1].
Environment for Change: Offers a nurturing environment that balances structure with the flexibility needed for personal growth and healing[1].

Cons of Therapeutic Boarding Schools:

Distance from Home: Often located out of state, which can limit family involvement and may add to the child’s sense of isolation[1].
Cost: Can be expensive, with many schools requiring private funding or specific insurance coverage[1].
Adjustment Issues: The transition back to regular school and community life can be challenging for some students after discharge[1].
Risks for harm: While many therapeutic boarding schools are well-managed and safe, the nature of congregating youths with diverse and mental health issues may increase the potential for impulsive or unsafe behaviors among peers.

Finding the Right Boarding School or Residential Treatment Program

Choosing the right boarding school or residential treatment program for your teen can be a complex process. To assist you in this journey, we've compiled a list of resources, including placement consultants patients of ours have used previously, as well as websites to programs around the country, that can help guide your decision.

Consultants

Consultants can be invaluable in navigating the landscape of boarding schools and residential treatment programs. Here are some options:

Amanda Mascieri works for Acadia Healthcare, which owns various residential treatment programs nationwide. She offers free consulting services and, while she may prioritize her company's network, she is also willing to recommend facilities outside of it if they better meet your needs.
Contact Amanda at Amanda.Mascieri@acadiahealthcare.com or (610) 906-9582.
Learn more about her services here: Acadia Healthcare
RTF and Boarding School Placement Consultants: These professionals have extensive knowledge about therapeutic boarding schools and residential treatment facilities across the country:

Patient-Recommended Residential Treatment Options

While we have not personally visited these facilities, we have received positive feedback from patients about the following programs. The below programs work with teens, and some cater to preteens:

Comprehensive Assessment Treatment (CAT) Program (Salt Lake City, UT): Associated with University of Utah, they focus on establishing a more accurate and complete diagnosis over a 2 to 4 month period of time.
McLean Hospital (Boston, MA): A Harvard-affiliated program known for its variety of programs for children, teens, and adults, including an acclaimed Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program.
Silver Hill Hospital: (Connecticut) Yale associated shorter term program for diagnostic clarity.
Newport Academy (Connecticut, Virginia, California): Offers specialized programs for teens and young adults.
Elements Wilderness Program : Very highly regarded outdoor program.
Rogers Behavioral Health (Wisconsin): While they have intensive outpatient care in Philadelphia, their residential treatment is located in Wisconsin. Their RTF provides care for all ages and conditions, including OCD, depression, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and eating disorders.
Embark (Poconos, PA): A residential treatment program for teen girls aged 12-17, with a partial program on the Mainline.

Under the Embark Umbrella are other RTFs:

New Vision Wilderness Therapy: Wisconsin outdoor therapeutic program.
Embark for Boys: (Benton, TN). The brother program, serving only males, to the one in PA, which serves females.

Elevations RTF: (Utah) Provides Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for teens.
Calo: (Missouri) Uses therapy dogs; Provides various programs for many age groups.
Turnbridge Dual Diagnosis: Connecticut for patients with mental health and substance use disorders.
The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Website: offers a helpful starting point. Their website provides a broad overview of various programs across the country, each catering to different needs. While this resource is not comprehensive, it can give you a good initial sense of the options available. Keep in mind, however, that determining the pros and cons of each program based solely on their websites and online reviews can be challenging. Online reviews, such as those on Google, often skew negative, as individuals with positive experiences are less likely to post reviews.

For programs for adult treatment, please visit this posting.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing between an RTF and a therapeutic boarding school depends on the specific needs of the adolescent, the severity of their condition, and the family’s situation. It is crucial to consult with mental health professionals to understand the best option for your child. Both settings aim to provide a supportive environment where adolescents can receive the help they need while continuing their education and personal development.