Nurturing Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Teens and Youth
Therapeutic boarding schools offer a structured, nurturing environment where teens receive 24/7 support to focus on academics and overcome mental health challenges.
We understand how heartbreaking it is to see your teen struggle with mental health conditions alongside school issues. Therapeutic boarding schools provide a nurturing level of care that provides teens with the highly structured support they need to heal and the guidance they need to succeed in school.
What Is a Therapeutic Boarding School for Teens and Youth?
A therapeutic boarding school for youth and teens, also called a residential school or behavioral health school, is a structured, supportive environment where young people can address mental health conditions while continuing their education.
Therapeutic boarding schools provide educational programs as part of their therapy. They offer special support for students with behavioral and emotional issues, including problems like disordered eating and low self-esteem. They also help students with learning difficulties, such as ADHD and ASD Level 1.
Therapeutic boarding schools help youth and teens heal and grow. They provide support from trained therapists, teachers, and staff. These schools often serve as a step-down option from residential treatment centers.
How Can a Therapeutic Boarding School Help My Teen?
Across all Embark long-term residential programs, including therapeutic boarding schools, in 2023, we helped adolescents and teens at our schools reduce negative symptoms and increase their overall well-being. Here's how our therapeutic school has helped youth:
*All data collected from January 01, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
How Effective Are Behavioral Health Schools at Helping Teens and Youth?
Research published in the Journal of Research and Practice in Child Services indicates that residential treatment programs combined with academic support can significantly benefit adolescents facing mental health and behavioral challenges. A study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that such integrated programs led to notable improvements in emotional regulation, behavioral functioning, and academic performance among participants.
Additionally, the Journal of Youth and Adolescence reported that adolescents in residential treatment with educational components experienced enhanced self-esteem and social skills, contributing to better long-term outcomes.
How Does a Therapeutic School Work for Teens and Youth?
Struggling teens placed in therapeutic boarding schools in the United States, leave their family home and move into year-round housing at the boarding school with other students. There, your teen daughter or son will participate in the school's academic program and receive behavioral therapy and often, family therapy as well, while participating in recreational activities or service opportunities in the local area.
What's a Day at a Therapeutic Boarding School Like for Teens and Youth?
At a therapeutic boarding school, each day is carefully planned. This helps your teen balance schoolwork, therapy, and personal growth. Here’s an example of a typical day for teens at a behavioral health school:
7:00 AM
Begin the Day
9:00 AM
School
5:00 PM
Dinner
6:15 PM
Evening Activities
9:00 PM
Bedtime
Who will be Helping My Teen or Young Adult Heal at a Therapeutic Boarding School?
Therapeutic schools for youth provide healing teams of teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, and life coaches who provide compassionate mental health treatment for teens by utilizing trauma-informed techniques. Here are some of the specialists a teen will work with at a therapeutic school:
Where Can I Find a Therapeutic Boarding School for My Teen or Youth?
You can find our therapeutic boarding schools for teens all over the country. Find a behavioral health school near you by clicking below or by calling our specialists for help finding a program.
Conditions Treated:
Stories of Healing from our Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Teens
Our residential schools have helped thousands of teens overcome difficult mental health conditions and create lives filled with joy. Take a look at some of the stories of healing from teens and families we've helped below:
Is Your Teen Struggling with a Different Mental Health Condition?
Contact us and we'll help you figure out if a residential boarding school is the best option to help your adolescent, teen, or young adult, or if another treatment option will be the best fit.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Teens FAQ
Are there therapeutic boarding schools specifically for boys or girls?
Yes, many therapeutic boarding schools offer specialized programs tailored to the unique needs of boys and girls. These programs for different genders aim to help with growth differences. They offer support that helps teens connect, heal, and succeed.
Our program, Chrysalis Therapeutic Boarding School, provides a special school for teen girls and LGBTQ+ youth in need.
How do therapeutic boarding schools differ from traditional boarding schools?
Unlike traditional boarding schools, therapeutic boarding schools integrate structured therapy and mental health support with academic instruction. These schools are designed to address behavioral and emotional challenges, creating a supportive environment where teens can work on personal growth while keeping up with their education.
What qualifications do the staff at therapeutic boarding schools have?
Staff members at therapeutic boarding schools are trained professionals with expertise in adolescent mental health, education, and therapeutic care. This includes licensed therapists, experienced educators, and support staff dedicated to helping your teen make meaningful progress.
Are therapeutic boarding schools accredited?
Embark Behavioral Health’s therapeutic boarding schools are accredited by The Joint Commission, a nationally recognized organization that sets standards for healthcare quality and safety. This accreditation reflects Embark’s commitment to providing high-quality care and maintaining rigorous standards across all its programs.
Do therapeutic boarding schools accept insurance?
Yes, therapeutic boarding schools like Chrysalis at Embark Behavioral Health work with many insurance providers to help families obtain coverage for their child’s treatment. While coverage can vary based on individual policies, Embark offers a free insurance verification process to determine what is covered under your plan. This support helps make quality care more accessible, so you can focus on what’s best for your teen.
Our programs do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Contact our Team for Behavioral Health School Insurance Verification
Who is a good fit for a therapeutic boarding school?
Therapeutic boarding schools can be an excellent option for youth who need lighter treatment than residential treatment but still require some structure.
Often, teens transition to a therapeutic boarding school following successful residential treatment. This can help them maintain the gains they received in their prior treatment. Teens who are compliant in the treatment process and do not require intensive treatment are good candidates for a therapeutic boarding school.
How long will my teen be enrolled in a behavioral health school?
It will depend on his/her needs, but typically, after enrollment, students live in a therapeutic boarding school for one to two years.
Contact Our Behavioral Health School Specialists for More Information
Where does my daughter or son go after successfully completing a therapeutic boarding school?
These programs offer academic credits that can transfer to other teen boarding schools or secondary schools, as well as grant high school diplomas. Depending on where a teenager is with their education and therapeutic needs, some may graduate high school from the therapeutic boarding school and continue on to college.
For other young men or women who still have high-school credits to earn, some return home to finish their school while others transition to alternative schools, like emotional growth schools, military schools, or private schools.
What if My Teen or Young Adult Needs a Different Level of Care?
If a therapeutic boarding school isn't the best fit for your teen, don't lose hope. At Embark, we offer a variety of treatment options throughout the U.S. that are here to help your family heal. Here are some steps up in treatment that can provide a higher level of care or treatment if your adolescent, teen, or young adult needs intensive care:
Need Help Finding the Right Program?
Talk to our program specialists, we'll help you find the right option for your adolescent, teen, or young adult.