Is there help for my troubled child?  Looking for troubled teen schools in Washington

When a teenager experiences some up's and down's it is considered normal teenage behavior. Up and down and all around is what adolescents is all about.  However, when a teen continues to display severe problems (mood disorders, behavioral episodes, or emtional meltdowns) a change is in order.  Troubled teen schools are designed for adolescents who are out-of-control, defiant, rebellious, and making really bad choices (usually as a result of drug and alcohol abuse). If you as the parent cannot detect the reason behind the problem behavior perhaps its time for a professional to help you.  A professional can help you figure out what is going on and how to solve the problems.  Our recommendation is that before you choose a troubled teen school, call us.  Speak with our Family Advocate.  We can assess and evaluate your situation, and then recommend a plan to resolve the problems and restore your family.  

Below are some of the reasons why teens become "troubled":

PEER PRESSURE: There will always be teens out there there ready to tell your child what’s best for them, telling them how they should run their life, putting pressure on them to perform (act, dress, talk, walk) a certain way.  If your child is normal they will succumb to  

SELF ESTEEM: Take care of yourself. This means avoiding negative people and thoughts. Pessimism is a waste of time. Become an optimist! Start monitoring your thoughts constantly--every time you begin putting yourself down, think about why you feel that way and what circumstances you are in that might lead you to this conclusion.

PANIC ATTACKS: For instance, one of the ways to manage your fear is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you’re fearful or anxious, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Changing your thinking can help you manage your fears.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and having to deal with your fearful thoughts can be extremely difficult. It can be tough for people with OCD to have to experience obsessive thoughts that are intrusive, scary, and difficult to manage. From my interviews with various psychologists, I was told that a person should visualize a red stop sign in their mind when they encounter a fear provoking thought.

Parents learning to communicate better with their struggling child from Washington

Parents of troubled teens seek ways to improve communication with their struggling child.  Parents of rebellious kids can use some good "tips" from troubled teen schools to boost effective communication. For example, some parents have noticed that while driving in the car with their "troubled teen" the child tends to open up and talk more. Maybe it's the side-by-side (rather than face-to-face) aspect of driving together that makes it easier to communicate. We recommend that parents take advantage of every opportunity to improve communication with their child, including the consideration of enrolling the child into a school for troubled teens. If "improving communication with your child seems to be impossible, then perhaps its time to look at outside help. Troubled teen schools place a tremendous emphasis on improving communication between parent and child. Communication is one of the most important aspects of the restored relationship. No matter what has transpired in the past, no matter how deep the pain, effective communication can heal everything and move the relationship forward in powerful ways.

Advice Quotes:  "Perhaps one of the only positive pieces of advice that I was ever given was that supplied by an old courtier who observed: Only two rules really count. Never miss an opportunity to relieve yourself; never miss a chance to sit down and rest your feet."  King Edward VIII

Mindful Quotes:  "You shall always find what you created in your mind, for instance, a benevolent God or an evil Devil. Between them are countless facets. Therefore, concentrate on the depth of your consciousness and on what you consider to be positive and good."  Hans Bender