Healing. Growth. Education. Family.

The Teaching-Family Model approach continues to serve as a guiding light to many young lives. Distinguished by a commitment to creating and nurturing a family environment for students, by providing individualized and strength-based treatment that has changed countless lives for the better.

But what makes this model exceptional? The answer lies in its history and essence; find out how Alpine Academy Utah applies this life-changing approach to education.

The Roots of the Teaching-Family Model

In the 1960s, Dr. Montrose Wolf, an acclaimed psychologist, spearheaded a special joint project with the University of Kansas and the National Institute of Mental Health. As an expert in applied behavior analysis, he had a theory that married couples were the key to helping troubled children.

He believed that by living together and replicating a family-life setting, the couple would serve as role models who could encourage healthy development in the children.

To put his theory to the test, he trained the first ever “family teachers” or “teaching parents”, married couple Lonnie and Elaine Phillips. Lonnie was a graduate student working with mentally challenged children while Elaine was a preschool teacher.

After training, Dr. Wolf had the couple live with six teenage boys who were juvenile delinquents. It didn’t take long before improvement in the boys was observed – they displayed good behavior, their communication skills significantly improved, and they were able to reunite with their families.

In short, Dr. Wolf proved his theory right – and the Teaching-Family Model was born.

Nurturing Connections: The Heart of the Teaching-Family Approach

Today, this approach is standard when it comes to dealing with children with behavioral needs. The key principles of the model are as follows:

• Humane Practices: Participants can anticipate receiving ethical, compassionate, and humane treatment.
• Individualized Approach: Guided by a core foundation, this approach is adaptable; caretakers tailor the treatments to cater to the unique needs of every participant.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Caregivers acknowledge the trauma of each child and helps them cultivate effective coping mechanisms.
• Emphasis on Quality Assurance: Quality assurance is topmost priority – student progress and feedback are regularly reviewed to allow necessary adjustments.

Bridging Theory and Practice

Not only is Alpine Academy nationally certified for Teaching-Family Model implementation but is also the recipient of Cognia’s highest honor, the School of Distinction. Alpine is the only private treatment center in the world to receive such distinction.

Driven by this family-centric approach to healing and education, Alpine Academy only has well-trained and dedicated staff to implement the approach and create a nurturing environment for all students. The school also believes in non-physical interventions and on-site support is available 24/7, so students can expect a safe, effective, and empowering treatment all throughout.

Alpine Academy Therapeutic School has revolutionized therapeutic care through long-term successful implementation of the Teaching-Family Model. Their steadfast dedication to the Teaching-Family Model has truly revolutionized therapeutic care, establishing the residential program as a beacon of hope and transformation for young lives yearning for positive change.

Not long ago, families were largely kept out of the residential treatment for loved ones.

They were seen as a distraction or even detrimental, especially when it’s a child who is going through residential therapy. Often, families were seen as being the source of the problem, not part of the solution.

Fortunately, Alpine Academy Utah reports that times have changed. While many consider addiction a family disease since it impacts entire families, it is only recently that families have been seen as integral to successful residential therapy programs.

Often, involving supportive and loving families in treatment can make all the difference.

The Importance of Family

Families can offer insight into the behavior and unique needs of the person seeking treatment. Families also happen to be impacted in a range of different but specific ways, including emotionally and physically.
Understanding how a teenager’s behavior is exactly impacting a family can help guide elements of residential therapy.

Familial involvement makes an impact even before a teen enters therapy. Families can provide a wealth of information about the nature of a child’s behavior that is concerning. Therapists can learn whether different types of therapies have been attempted.

According to the experts at American Association of Children’s Residential Centers, family involvement is now a necessity when treating teens in residential care. In fact, many residential treatment programs have been developed to focus on care that is driven by these relationships — which in turn, strengthens the family bond.

Families Welcome

Families are a consistent presence at our facility, where family-focused treatments include monthly visits and quarterly workshops. Family therapy sessions, coaching, and other family-centric activities are included.

Such involvement is quickly becoming standard for teens in residential therapy programs. Studies show that residential treatment centers find that family-centered therapy leads to more positive outcomes since all family members have learned new skills to support a child, sister, or brother and communicate better.

Relatives who participate in residential therapy programs are usually dedicated to success during treatment and are active in developing a post-treatment plan as well. In fact, one study found that the best predictor of recovery is whether families were involved with the process.

Increasingly active within addiction recovery, families can learn how to establish boundaries that are healthy and get recommended community networks to provide support post-treatment.

Teens participating in residential therapy programs have a range of needs — medical, behavioral, social, emotional, and educational. The bonds of the family unit are the largest source of support for the large majority of a patient’s needs.

Setting Up Success

Education for families is now a common goal for overall treatment. In doing so, families can learn more about the complex nature of addiction and co-dependency as well as work on communication skills needed to build (or rebuild) a positive relationship with a child, and ways children must care for themselves even if they have a support system.

It’s not just that residential therapy programs want families to participate in the treatment process. It’s that they need them to ensure positive outcomes throughout every treatment milestone.

For adolescents facing emotional and behavioral difficulties, residential therapy programs can be a lifesaver.

But what happens when the program ends, and it’s time to return home?

The key to long-term success lies in creating an effective transition plan.

Alpine Academy Utah Complaints examines the advantages of residential therapy, the key components of planning for a residential program stay, the avenues of family involvement, the available support systems and resources, the necessary aftercare services, and school’s essential role during the transition process.

Why Transition Planning Matters

Residential therapy students often face unique obstacles on the path to recovery and self-discovery. One major hurdle may be transitioning from the highly structured environment of a residential program to the less regulated world outside. Students may struggle with maintaining newfound coping mechanisms or feel overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon them, leading to a potential relapse into old behaviors.

Effective transition planning can make all the difference in returning to daily life after leaving a residential program. By setting goals and outlining necessary steps for achievement, students feel more empowered and confident in their ability to maintain their progress.

Furthermore, a well-crafted transition plan helps prevent feelings of isolation or abandonment that often follow after leaving residential programs by providing students with an organized roadmap for success.

What Makes a Transition Plan Effective

An effective transition plan must include several essential elements: specific goals tailored to each individual’s needs, a comprehensive outline of the steps and resources necessary for achievement, and regular progress monitoring and adjustment. It is essential that students participate in this planning process, which can help in gaining their buy-in and commitment.

Family

Family involvement is essential to the success of a transition plan. By actively taking part in the preparation and providing ongoing support, families can help their loved ones continue their progress. This includes creating a supportive home environment, encouraging open communication, and helping with practical matters like arranging necessary services.

Resources

There are a wealth of resources and support services available to students and families during the changeover process. These include educational consultants, therapists, support groups, online forums, and informational websites. Organizations like the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) provide invaluable guidance on best practices for those moving away from residential therapy.

A comprehensive transition plan should also include aftercare services, which offer crucial support to students as they reintegrate into their communities.

A 2010 study published in the journal Administration and Policy in Mental Health found that adolescents who received support services following residential treatment were significantly less likely to experience rehospitalization. These services can include ongoing therapy, support groups, and mentorship programs, all designed to reinforce skillsets acquired during residential therapy.

School and Community

Schools play an essential role in aiding students during their transition from residential therapy to academic life. Reintegration at school can be challenging, as students must adjust to a new social setting, catch up on missed coursework, and manage academic stressors while maintaining their mental and emotional well-being.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that half of the students interviewed reported serious obstacles to their transition to a traditional school, with issues including emotional distress, academic pressure, and difficulty handling social situations.

To support these students, schools should collaborate with families and therapists to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan that meets their specific needs. This may include accommodations, such as modified schedules, additional support services, or specialized instruction, to make the transition back to the classroom easier. Furthermore, schools must offer ongoing communication and encouragement.

Establishing a supportive community is another essential aspect of the change. Students who have undergone residential therapy can feel more understood and supported during their reintegration if they feel connected to their peers, families, and educators. Additionally, encouraging participation in extracurricular activities, clubs, and community events helps students build positive connections that reduce feelings of isolation or stigmatization.

Conclusion

Transitioning from residential therapy back into everyday life can be a challenge, but with careful planning and the right support, students can build upon their progress and continue to flourish.

Creating an extensive transition plan that involves family and other support systems, utilizing available resources, including aftercare services, connecting with schools, and creating an encouraging community around them will enable students to successfully navigate this crucial phase and lay the groundwork for a fulfilling, healthy future.

The teen years are some of the most challenging yet important years of an adolescent’s life. It’s a time of transition and self-discovery as they explore their identity and figure out who they are or want to be. During this time, uprooting a teenager and moving them to a new town can be incredibly difficult as it forces them to make new friends and form a new community.

Fortunately, though, teens are pretty resilient and can quickly settle into a new school with just a few proactive steps. This post is part of the series on teen objections called Alpine Academy Utah Complaints and will explore some of the things that parents can do to encourage their teenagers and make their transition into a new town smoother. Although it may seem daunting at first, moving can be an excellent learning experience that propels their growth.

Encourage Teens to Take Up Extracurriculars

By the time children are teenagers, they usually have set friend groups that make it difficult for new students to find a community. This is especially true if a new student is particularly shy. However, encouraging a teen to try new things can push them to make new friends. If they try out for extracurricular activities, sports, or clubs, they can get involved in the community.

The more friends they make, the more comfortable they’ll feel living in a new town and the sooner they’ll settle into their new school. If they enjoyed any extracurricular activities at their old school, getting involved in a new town will also help restore a sense of normalcy after the move.

Encourage Teens to Be Open and Honest

Moving can be incredibly stressful for teens. They may experience depression or anxiety over leaving their friends, activities, and life behind. Without strong emotional ties or social connections in a new community, they may also feel isolated. It’s important to speak directly and honestly with teens after a major move, especially if they are struggling in the first few weeks.

It can be difficult for teens to talk openly with their parents, but there are some things that can be done to encourage communication. Setting aside regular times for conversation, such as at the dinner table, during a walk, or before bed creates an environment where a teen can feel comfortable speaking openly without judgment.

Help Teens Stay Connected with Old Friends

The less cut-off a teen feels, the easier the move will be. Fortunately, modern technology means teens no longer have to say goodbye to their old friends. Helping a teen stay in touch with their old classmates and friends after moving will help elevate some of their stress and loneliness. Let them call or text as much as they like (within reason) and set up meetups if possible.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to treat teenagers like adults. They are old enough to think for themselves and make their own connections. Yet, it’s just as important to push them to try new things and make new friends after a move. Encouraging them to be open and honest, try out for extracurriculars, and stay in touch with their old friends will ease the transition and make moving far less stressful.