
For Parents Navigating Residential Treatment
So you’re new. Hundreds of families nationwide are introduced each year to residential care due to a son or daughter who need more help and stability. Being thrown into residential treatment is a path all parents would not choose. This site will help you find answers.
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No parent wants to put their child into residential care. Part of the vision of Telos is to provide information so you can make informed decisions. The right program is critical. You may not place your child with Telos and that is okay. Our hope is they are in the right fit for their individual needs.
To help with that we have designed this NEW TO TELOS section with industry knowledge and support to help you along your way. Below are definitions commonly used industry wide. Other menu items will help you learn about navigating residential treatment and get a general sense of the industry process. Each section, including our blog, is aimed at helping parents make a good decision and stay informed.
If you hired a consultant they will walk you through this process step-by-step, otherwise you will do this yourself. The student is tested by an independent testing company to determine need. Then those needs are put up against dozens of options for placement. Most students begin with a wilderness program. They range from easy wilderness to hard-core roughing it, depending on how strong the need is. This is an intensive program that is designed to help “soften” the student and help them realize that the therapeutic need is real and all the problems they are experiencing are needing their focus and attention. Many students experience a significant therapeutic boost and feel they are “cured” after wilderness. Unfortunately this is a temporary fix if not followed up by a residential therapeutic center. Most centers have an average stay of 8-18 months depending on severity of the student’s needs. The goal at most residential centers is to give a tool set that helps the students with a longer term success rate. This varies depending on the student and their buy-in to the program. The key program differences are these: Clinical strength, type of student they treat, quality of staff, core goals and purpose for program.
See The Journey
These individual’s sole-focus is to help parents find the correct path 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 premier colleges.
If you are needing a therapeutic solution then hire a consultant who is an expert in Residential Treatment. Consultants are paid, in the long run it generally is the least expensive route and a lot less stressful on parents. Help finding an Independent Consultant.
Students are typically done after residential if they are willing to work hard and family is engage in supporting the ongoing effort and learning. Aftercare support (meaning “after” residential treatment) is an important part to a students long-term success and several premium programs offer this to help students success rates soar.
Definitions
To begin we want to familiarize you with a few of the most common terms and what the definitions are, to help you get on step faster. The following definitions are known industry wide:
What families had to say about Telos
Our experience at Telos was phenomenal! From the day we took the parent tour until the day our son was discharged. We were impressed by the team and staff’s skill, experience, professionalism and positive attitude.
I have been to 4 treatment centers. Wilderness, then Telos and a third (I left early) and finally a fourth (I graduated from). By far, Telos is the program that went above and beyond. Not only has Telos stuck by me when I refused to progress, Telos completely turned my life around.
Telos saved my son’s life! They customized his treatment to fit his needs and adapted it as he grew. They also treated our family along side him, ensuring the most successful transition home. We are eternally grateful.
It has been almost 7 years now since I was at Telos but the skills I learned there have help me through my life. I will always remember the great people who helped me along the way!
Our son spent 17 months at Telos and to say his time was transformative is an understatement. Their focus on helping kids and their families grow and heal is a caring and supportive environment and is truly exceptional.
I was at Telos 5 years ago…I still love this place. Before Telos my life was awful.
Our son just completed Telos. I can say Telos is a godsend. The therapeutic resources at every level are excellent. It takes a lot of courage and trust to hand over your child to an institution 2,000 miles away. Our son is finally able to move forward.
There really are not words to describe how amazing Telos is. From the owners and staff to the therapists and teachers. All are special people with caring hearts and amazing training. Though it took longer than expected, our family is soooooooo much better now. We are forever grateful.
There really is a special feeling and atmosphere at Telos, I recommend Telos to anyone!
I was a student at Telos for over a year. There have never been better experiences in my life than the ones that I had there. The Telos tools have improved my life immeasurably.
Great school for struggling teens. Intense therapy for the child and family. Fabulous resource, strong academics. They won’t give up on your child!
I’ve spent my career certifying private schools and I would put Telos High School in the top 5 nationally, even compared to the most prestigious private schools available.
OMG! Having our son at Telos was an amazing experience. Their program is very well thought out and covers all the many aspects of a struggling teen. I am proud to say that now he is a confident, capable and most important, HAPPY young man, ready to take all that he has learned in to the real world.
Thank you to all of the amazing people at Telos for changing our family forever.
Telos is Right for Me!
Is Telos Right for You?
Telos offers hope to those who have run out of options.