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Telos Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about admissions? See Below. Even more questions? See Full FAQs
Check out the spacious rooms and amenities on our campus photo tours. https://telos.org/campus-tour/
Students who are aging-out of other programs or are ready for a young adult program might be a candidate for Telos U. Young women and men needing support while they explore launching into adulthood can begin at Telos U at age 17.5. Admissions can help direct you even if they are younger and need to attend the Academy.
These professional’s sole focus is to help parents find the correct path and therapeutic program for students. Only a few Educational Consultants work with therapeutic options. This is an important distinction because most work with prep schools, military schools, and/or premier colleges.
If you need a therapeutic solution, hire a consultant who is an expert in residential treatment. Though consultants are paid, in the long run, it generally is the least expensive route and is by far a lot less stressful on parents. If you would like a referral to top consultants, please fill out this form https://telos.org/admissions/. It is important to remember these are independent of Telos and may refer you to other programs. It is important to have the right fit for your students, even if it is not Telos.
Most students begin the therapeutic journey with a wilderness program. Wilderness experiences range from easy to hard-core roughing it, depending on how strong the need is. This is an intensive program that is designed to help the student realize the therapeutic need themselves and all the problems they are experiencing needs their focus and attention. Many students experience a significant therapeutic boost and feel they are cured after wilderness. This is typically the beginning not the end of the therapeutic journey.
Yes. On Telos U (Geneva Campus) as a co-ed student. Female students enroll to Telos U as early as age 17.5.
Yes. Most students have their own room. One room in each apartment has two beds for students who want to be roommates with friends.
The North Campus is designed to be more dorm style with a large common area including TV, couches, and a fireplace in each apartment. Rooms are large and spacious, with 2 bunkbeds (a total of 4 per room). Custom cubbies and footlockers help students have their own space and storage. (See campus tour images https://telos.org/campus-tour/)
Center St Campus
Students go to Telos High from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. They do not have jobs while they are attending. If students transition to our step-down program Anthem House, they can get a job at that time if approved by the Primary Therapist.
Geneva Campus
For older students who are learning to launch, Telos actively helps students aim toward college, learning trades or technical and/or working.
Technology use is minimal while at Telos. Often, this becomes a distraction from treatment. However, we recognize the need for students to reintegrate and be able to have a healthier relationship with technology. While at Telos, they will have access to computers in school (with monitored and filtered internet access). Additionally, students can apply for a music protocol to have an mp3 player with Telos approved music. This will be a chance for them to use music as a healthy coping skills. It will also be a chance to help them learn to not avoid with music. There are specific times that they are use this.
Also, we begin incorporating other technology (phones) during local visits and home passes with parents. We will discuss therapeutic goals and interventions and then follow up how well he does with managing the boundaries.
**Students who are at Geneva Campus are offered technology when they have proven their ability to safely use it.
Center St Campus
Each student typically has two 90 min. sessions with their therapist each week. One of these is an individual session, the other is a family session. In addition to this, each student attends two 75 min. group therapy sessions each week. Biweekly space mission is also offered.
Geneva Campus
Weekly individual therapy
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- Weekly/biweekly family therapy and student led team calls.
- Weekly process groups (resilience and emotional safety groups)
- Weekly community groups
- Biweekly space missions that address group dynamics, culture, executive function skills, distress tolerance.
A typical day is fun, challenging and a little stretching. Check out the link for more details. https://telos.org/daily-life
Telos High is a “normalized” environment. Students follow a bell schedule; take classes in a typical classroom with a teacher; have a typical school day schedule and look forward to being on the honor roll, as well as field trips, dances and even prom. (dances in partnership with another girls program)
The length of stay depends on the student’s needs and motivation. Typical timeframe is 3-12 months. Families on the shorter end of this range tend to be relying 100% on insurance help. Families on the longer end are able to cover continued treatment once insurance help ends.
Center St Campus
You will usually speak to your child twice a week. Each week you will have a family therapy phone call with your child and primary therapist. A second call usually occurs on a weekday evening when your child is able to have a personal, non-therapy call. This can be increased with developed trust and therapeutic need.
Geneva Campus
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- Senior House: Parents usually speak to their student twice a week. Each week you will have a family therapy phone call with your child and primary therapist. A second call usually occurs on a weekday evening when your child is able to have a personal, non-therapy call. This can be increased with developed trust and therapeutic need.
- Telos U: Students are typically on a faster track to technology which includes daily access to cell phones when safe for the student. At this point communication is as needed. In the first couple weeks it may resemble a schedule closer to Senior House.
Telos does not offer private financing. Check with your lending institutions for traditional student loans.
Center St Campus
Part of the Telos philosophy is the importance of family. We believe no student who passes through our program will be successful upon returning home if he returns to the same system from which he came. This means the entire family must change for the better. Family Days, which occurs every 8 to 10 weeks, provides opportunities for parents and siblings to experience a small taste of what their son/brother experiences every day at Telos. Family Days are a required part of treatment. A typical Family Days starts on a Thursday and ends on a Saturday. Families participate in support groups, trainings, face-to-face therapy, academic consults, and other activities. For siblings who are too young to attend therapy groups, we have fun, child-friendly activities scheduled. Most Family Days end with a community-based triathlon in which many of the students (and some of the braver families) compete. All immediate family members are invited to attend.
Geneva Campus
Very similar format to Center St Campus. Most Family Days are held on Monday and Tuesdays and don’t offer a triathlon.
Families are able to reserve the next available bed on a “first come first served” basis when their application is accepted and an enrollment fee is received by Telos.
Unfortunately the answer to this question is not as cut and dry as most would like. It really depends on multiple factors (the complexity of the issues, the motivation of the student, aftercare arrangements, etc.). The average length of stay at Telos is 3-12 months. Families on the shorter end of this range tend to be relying 100% on insurance help. Families on the longer end are able to cover continued treatment once insurance help ends.
For more information contact us or visit Telos FAQs
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