If you have a teenager who has recently gone completely out of control, you may be considering troubled teens schools.  In recent years, the troubled teen industry has boomed - partly because teens today are facing more problems and issues than ever before.

Many worried parents, at the end of their rope, choose to send their kids to troubled teens schools, hoping for a miricle. Unfortunately, there are programs out there that are taking advantage of worried parents and their troubled children. There have been incidents of abuse and even death at many troubled teens schools.  

Not all programs are bad, but if this is something that you are considering for your child, make sure that you investigate the school very, very carefully.  Here are some tips to help you on your way.

~ Visit the school, in person. Show up unannounced, not just at the time that you are scheduled to go.

~ Ask for a list of ALL past and present parents, not just a partial list of pleased parents.

~ Make sure that you will be able to contact your children at any time. Be very wary of schools who will allow no communication between you and your children for weeks or even months at a time.

~ Investigate the school on the internet. Try to talk to past students if possible.

~ Make sure that letters to and from your children will not be read by the staff.  Other incoming and outgoing mail may be read and it's up to you whether or not that's okay, but make sure that your child can communicate with you openly. 

~ Find out details about how children are disciplined and why.

~ Ask the school direct questions about their theraputic approach. Ask them to provide you information from independent experts showing that it works and why.

~ Have a friend or family member investigage the school with you. If your teen is causing problems, you are likely very worried and understandably, are not thinking straight.   Have someone with you who can help you decipher information.

~ Be wary of any school that is located outside of the borders of the United States. Be especially wary of troubled teens schools that are located in 3rd World Countries, as they are not required to folllow the laws of our land.

A program designed to help teens may be the right choice for your child, but the wrong program will likely only make matters much, much worse. Investigate carefully and know where you are sending your child.