A wide array of behaviorally focused and character building programs exists out there in the therapeutic and quasi-therapeutic school world; some are much better than others, particularly those putting forethought and mechanisms into family participation. Carlbrook is one of the “jewels in the rough” therapeutic secondary schools using good practices of regular family participation.along with strong academic preparation. Academics are always on the forefront for parents sending their youth off to boarding school. Carlbrook handles this argument easily with a list of AP courses, and high college acceptance. However, getting a college degree is not the “end all” for any young adult, as the world is complicated and full of chuckholes to use a term of yore. It’s important to build self esteem, intelligent and careful decision making, positive, healthy peer relations and relationships with authority figures (teachers, staff). Many of those students who attend Carlbrook are over-the-top intellectually, and down-in-the ego and esteem department. In short order, the family unit learns how to provide clear expectations as has done the school staff, and ongoing, healthy change occurs on the part of the student. Their’s is a safe environment where the student learns how to be their true self again.

Heading across the US to the east coast provides differences not only in culture and scenery, but options in school choices of sports, activities, curriculum, and teaching expertise. In seeing the ski hill and ice hockey at Vermont Academy, and the theatre, and vocational training center at St. Johnsbury, and the adaptive curriculum approaches of Oliverian, I am reminded that these are unparalleled school options worthy of consideration for families from any region of the planet. Perhaps the best news of all is that all three of these institutions practice unbiased student associations in allowing for kids to be with kids regardless of their background and social class. Still, there are significant differences between the three schools, and it takes a keen eye to ferret out what type of individual does best in each program. If your son or daughter is sports competitive vs. technology centered vs. music and arts curriculum, and needs or does not need more academic support, then, one will work better than the others, along with other schools to consider in your decision. A stalwart of east coast education in my opinion is the quality of staff. I met some of the most exceptional staff this trip who can clearly articulate their mission, and the important background history.

It’s likely that “at the end of the day” wilderness treatment programs that provide the best treatment 1) know the clients and their families exceptionally well, 2) understand the ongoing needs of individuals with whom they’ve worked, and 3) work collaboratively with professional referral sources to establish their treatment goals and provide excellent communication. And this is True North. For the right individual, True North provides excellence in bringing behavioral and emotional change and communication between family members in a way unlike other wilderness treatment choices. Dr Burdick has had much success in finding the “right match” for the individual family, and prides himself in only referring his clients to programs that stand up to the criteria of excellence. Start today to find the right resource for your family. Contact us for help.

Don’t let the cartoon fool you. Austen Riggs provides the highest of psychodynamic theory driven service and exceptional commitment to human integrity and successful outcome. For the creative individual they can clearly be choice of treatment for all ages, including young adults. Likewise, McLean is a leader with 200 years of presence in the metropolitan Boston area brings sophisticated treatment for a wide array of disorders from addiction to trauma, psychosis to depression to OCD. It takes an experienced Licensed consulting psychologist well acquainted with the ins and outs of treatment planning to recommend the correct program. Obvious cost concerns placed aside, there are considerations of time, family involvement, aftercare options to name a few. Don’t wait: start the solution today drburdick.com

True to my International Consultant and Agent vocation, an overdue trip to Canada was successful in making connections with three outstanding institutions and individuals. ARROWSMITH is one such school that promotes the remediation and welfare of learning disabled youth with important research contributors. Similar to the US, youth who do not graduate secondary school have few choices. For those who need vocational training, colleges such as Humber offer some genuine opportunity, and they offer special services for students with disabilities (http://studentservices.humber.ca/ssd/).