If you are a struggling youth or a guardian to one, you are probably in search of a program that can help. The task of finding one can seem overwhelming, especially when you leave it to google. When you search through a search engine, the first results are advertisements and the ones beneath are not necessarily the best ones for you. Luckily, a google search isn’t the only way to find a troubled youth program near you. Here are some other places to begin your search.
Talk to your school
Schools are full of resources to help youth. School counselors particularly are trained to spot adolescents who are struggling and they keep up to date on the best programs and interventions available locally. Talk to your school’s office to put you in touch with a counselor who can share these resources with you.
Ask your pediatrician
If your adolescent is struggling, talk to their pediatrician. Pediatricians see youth dealing with all sorts of problems, and not just physical ones. They spend a lot of time recommending programs of treatment and have the vantage point of seeing their patients after they complete these programs. They therefore will know which programs near you achieve the best results.
Talk to parents of other troubled youth
You may sometimes feel that your child is alone in their struggles, but statistically, this is certainly not the case. Chances are you know plenty of parents whose children are going through similar troubles. While it’s important to maintain your child’s privacy, it doesn’t hurt to ask for recommendations from other parents.
Consult your health insurance
Call the number on the back of your insurance card to speak with an agent at your health insurance company. They will be able to give you a list of programs that your insurance covers fully or partially. This can help you narrow down your search to the programs that you can afford.
Once you have narrowed down your search to a small number of programs, now is the time to look online to see where they are located and be sure that you can easily access them. Ideally, they should be within a half-hour of your home, as they may become a place that your adolescence frequents on a weekly or even daily basis. However, it might be worth a little longer commute to pick a highly recommended program.
Westridge Academy is one of the best troubled youth programs in Utah. Contact Westridge today if you need help with your troubled teen.