Parents

If you found this site while looking for a program to help your troubled teen, do your child, your family, and your wallet a favor and stop looking for help on the internet.

It's saturated with web sites advertising "specialty schools," boot camps, wilderness programs, boarding schools, etc. that claim to be able to "correct" whatever ails your teen.

They flaunt their exagerrated success rates and "testimonials" from parents who have never visited the programs because they aren't allowed to.

But they don't tell you these programs are unlicensed.

They don't tell you that the facilities don't employ certified teachers or licensed therapists.

And they don't tell you the private accreditation is worthless (but you'll find that out when you try to transfer the "credits.")

The "teen help" industry is a booming business right now. A real cash cow. And in many states, starting one of these programs requires nothing more than a little space to house kids. No education or training is required.

When you call one of the 800 numbers listed on any of these sites, a helpful and well-rehearsed voice on the other end of the phone will have you fearing for your child's life in under 3 minutes.

No matter what your child's problem is, they'll try to convince you that your child will DIE unless you get him/her admitted TODAY.

And because they do this hundreds of times a week, and because you assume that they are somehow "trained" to diagnose your child over the phone, you will believe them.

But they aren't trained to do anything more than bring in business, otherwise known as your CHILD.

And now they are using a new trick.

People getting paid to refer kids to programs are advertising themselves as "child advocates" and program "experts."

They claim to want to "help" parents avoid "bad" programs and they are more than willing to tell you which ones they are.

But, like the sites I mentioned above, there's a lot these expert advocates don't tell you.

They don't tell you they aren't qualified to diagnose your child over the phone, either.

They don't tell you that their referrals are extremely biased because they only refer to programs who pay them to do so.

And they don't tell you they aren't qualified to determine what makes a program "good."

Both types of web sites have something else in common, too - your child is $$$$ to them.

So, if you think your child needs help for some kind of behavioral problem, get OFF the internet.

It's FAR too easy to find the WRONG kind of "help."

Call your family doctor, your pastor, your local mental health agency.

Crack open a good, old-fashioned phone book and find a licensed family therapist.

Send the child to live with the grandparents for a while.

What your child needs depends on the issues.

But regardless of what they are, keep some things in mind -

More than likely, your child isn't the ONLY one with a "problem." Often the family IS the problem. Look at yourself, your spouse, your ex-spouse. Then look at your kid.

Institutionalizing an intellectually normal and physically healthy child is rarely the answer. There is a good possibility that your child's problem won't be solved. Just delayed for about 2 years. And whatever problems the family had will still be there when the child comes home, so "relapse" is practically a given.

Legitimate, therapeutic programs don't need to pay people to make referrals.

Sending children away for help should be ONLY be considered on the advice of a trained, reputable professional - one that has met you and your child in person.

Not some faceless stranger on the other end of a toll-free call.

www.teenhelpindustry.info is proud to be part of the Referral Free Zone.