Exploring the Types of Therapies Found at Residential Treatment Centers

by Dorano V. Professional PR since 2010

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that about 18.3% of the American population has at least one diagnosable mental health condition. Individuals under the age of 25 are even more likely to be suffering from an ongoing condition (21.7%). While many of these individuals will live their entire lives without receiving a diagnosis, these figures demonstrate the fact that mental health needs to be taken quite seriously.

residential treatment center

Most mental health conditions present themselves alone a spectrum, meaning that their effects can range from being very mild to potentially being life-threatening. While some conditions can be adequately addressed with a few therapy sessions or even less, others will require treatment options that are much more intensive.

As you might assume, residential treatment centers offer the level of mental health treatment needed by those who are suffering the most. At a residential facility, individuals are given constant care and are surrounded by the resources they need to recover. These centers can be found in almost every major city and can be used to address an incredibly wide array of conditions.

These facilities are able to provide an incredibly wide array of treatment options. Most centers will attempt to create a customized treatment plan due to the fact that each individual who walks through their doors is unique. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common forms of therapy that can be found at an RTC.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy utilizes the acronym ACT, which also describes its objective of helping individuals “Accept your actions and be present, Choose a valued direction, and Take action.” Essentially, this specific form of therapy seeks to help people develop a new mindset and gain more a more meaningful sense of control over their lives.

ACT can be used to address many different mental health conditions, but it is often used to help individuals who are suffering from substance abuse disorders. It rejects suppression in favor of establishing a better sense of self-awareness. With the right actions and level of personal accountability, teens whose lives seem otherwise out of control can regain their sense of direction and continue the pursuit of becoming their best self.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a comprehensive approach to mental healthcare that can address substance abuse disorders, PTSD, depression, eating disorders, and many other conditions. It is a somewhat broad category of treatment modalities that has many variations underneath its umbrella.

One variation of CBT is known as Trauma Informed CBT (TICBT) which, as the name suggests, seeks to help teenagers who have been through a traumatic experience. This specialized form of treatment helps equip individuals with the skills necessary to combat future sources of trauma, post-traumatic stress, and other sources of adversity. One of the reasons why CBT is so generally popular is that its positive outcomes are often sustained over time.

Group Therapy

Many teenagers have difficulties creating connections with traditional therapists and, as a result, residential treatment centers offer a wide variety of group therapy options. When working in a group—instead of with an individual adult—teens can create deeper connections with individuals who are in a similar situation and are similarly aged.

Group therapy makes it possible for multiple teens to move towards a common objective (recovery) in unison. Depending on the size of the residential treatment center you are working with, these groups may be divided in multiple different ways (gender, relevant conditions, ages, etc.). While group therapy is typically not an exclusive treatment option, it can provide surprisingly positive outcomes where other treatments have been proven ineffective.

Neurofeedback

No matter what condition(s) your teen may currently be suffering from, the intensity and outward presentation of their condition will be directly connected to whatever it is that’s occurring in their brain. In order to develop an effective approach to treatment, many clinicians will want to take a closer look.

Neurofeedback is an innovative practice that makes it possible to monitor brain activity in real time. By being able to see which components of the brain are activated in response to external stimuli, psychologists can get a significantly better understanding of what your teen is actually experiencing. This will make it much more possible to deliver an accurate diagnosis, come up with a personalized treatment plan, and also tangibly track progress over time.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic experiencing is similar to neurofeedback in the sense that it places a strong emphasis on the connection between an individual’s body and mind. This treatment modality tries to help individuals with physical complications caused by traumatic events and other experiences.

Somatic experiencing is an evidence-based approach to treatment that is popular due to its comprehensive approach to addressing the individual. Instead of addressing the “body” and “mind” components of PTSD separately—as has often been done in the past—somatic experiencing attempts to overcome all relevant issues at once. Through the use of various external stimuli, the patient can be carefully guided to reconcile the complications they have with the physical world.

Choosing a Treatment Center for Your Teen

The best treatment centers will offer each of these treatment modalities in addition to various others. By being able to offer many different varieties, it becomes significantly easier to create a pointed plan that addresses your teen’s unique personal situation. With a greater degree of specialization, teen treatment centers are discovering that they can offer significantly more precise (and effective) results.

A residential treatment center may be necessary in instances where other approaches to treatment have been proven to be ineffective. Though your teen will likely be resistant to getting treatment at first, these places are able to offer a level of intensity and care that cannot be found elsewhere.

Finding the RTC that’s best for your teen can be quite difficult. Taking the time to compare your options, conduct an in-person visit, and read reviews about each treatment center can help you narrow your final options. Most centers will have a specialist on staff who is willing and available to answer your questions. They will also be able to help further explain their typical approach to diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment follow-ups.

Conclusion

As the world of teen psychology continues to expand, there are more specialized treatment options available than ever before. Your teen is a unique individual who is experiencing something unlike anyone else in the world. By working with a treatment center that has a dynamic and flexible approach, they will be one step closer to a successful recovery.