What are Therapeutic Boarding Schools?

A therapeutic boarding school is a specialized type of residential school that combines academic education with therapeutic interventions. It is designed to serve students who have emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges that may not be adequately addressed in traditional school settings.

If you’re a parent contemplating whether a therapeutic boarding school is the right fit for your child, it’s crucial to be well-informed.

Therapeutic boarding schools generally have these components:

Academics: Like other boarding schools, therapeutic boarding schools provide a structured academic environment, often with class sizes that allow for individualized attention.

Therapeutics: These schools prioritize the emotional and psychological well-being of their students by providing consistent therapy sessions. These sessions can be individual, allowing students to have one-on-one time with a counselor to delve deep into personal challenges, or group-based, where students can learn from and support their peers under professional guidance. Such group settings often foster a sense of community and understanding, helping students realize they are not alone in their struggles.

The therapy is usually facilitated by licensed therapists or counselors, professionals trained to identify, address, and provide solutions to a myriad of emotional or behavioral issues. Their expertise ensures that each student’s unique needs are recognized and addressed in a supportive environment. Furthermore, the presence of such counselors offers a holistic approach to education, ensuring that not only academic but also emotional growth is achieved.

Many therapeutic boarding schools also emphasize continuous training for their therapists, ensuring they’re updated with the latest counseling techniques and methodologies. This commitment to counseling underscores the school’s dedication to creating a nurturing and healing atmosphere for its students.

Structured Environment: The daily routines in therapeutic boarding schools are highly structured to provide consistency and predictability for students, which can help them feel more secure and reduce anxiety.

Life Skills Training: Many therapeutic boarding schools incorporate life skills training, such as time management, conflict resolution, and personal responsibility, into their programs.

Extracurricular Activities: These might include sports, arts, music, or other recreational activities, which can be therapeutic in their own right and help students develop social skills and self-esteem.

Duration of Stay: The duration of a student’s stay is typically tailored to their unique needs, often spanning anywhere from three months to a year. The initial phase involves acclimatizing to the program and breaking down personal barriers. This is followed by a period of introspection to identify the root causes of their challenges. Subsequently, they learn and practice healthier coping mechanisms. The final phase entails several months of consistently applying these new strategies until they become a natural part of their daily life.

Post-Care Planning: Many of these schools also offer transition or aftercare programs to support students once they leave the boarding school environment.

Parents often consider therapeutic boarding schools when their child’s emotional or behavioral challenges have escalated to a point where they interfere with academic success and daily functioning, and when other therapeutic interventions have not been effective in a less intensive setting.

Key Points for Parents

While exploring the world of therapeutic boarding schools, it’s vital to remember that they can differ based on state regulations and the accreditations they hold. For instance, the term “Therapeutic Boarding School” might reflect an accreditation from the Joint Commission or merely be a way the institution markets itself.

What Defines a Therapeutic Boarding School?

Therapeutic boarding schools are specialized institutions that cater to youngsters facing emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric challenges. They strike a balance between academic prowess and clinical interventions, ensuring students’ holistic development. Many of these schools are found in both suburban and rural settings, serving as a transitional phase post-intensive treatments like wilderness therapy programs.

Typical aspects of therapeutic boarding schools:

• A stay duration of around 9-15 months
• Average therapist caseload: 6-10+ students
• Maximum enrollment: 25-60 students
• Multiple therapy sessions weekly and therapeutic activities
• An Aftercare Plan
• Psychiatrist/Medical availability
• Registered Nurse presence
• Plenty of exercise and sleep
• An accredited school on campus
• Staff-student ratio: Roughly 1:6
• Approximate cost: $5,000-+$12,000 monthly

The Role of Therapeutic Boarding Schools 

Therapeutic boarding schools aim to foster a structured and nurturing environment for adolescents grappling with various challenges. These schools emphasize not only academic and therapeutic interventions but also crucial life skills like conflict resolution and time management. By graduation, students are often better equipped to navigate adult challenges.

Does insurance Cover the Cost of Therapeutic Boarding Schools?

Insurance coverage for therapeutic boarding schools varies based on the insurance provider, the specifics of the policy, and the nature of the student’s needs. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Mental Health Parity Laws: In the United States, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 requires that large group health plans and health insurance issuers offer mental health and substance use disorder benefits that are no more restrictive than their benefits for medical and surgical care. This means that if insurance covers medical treatment, it should also cover mental health treatment, including some services provided by therapeutic boarding schools. However, the specifics can vary widely.
2. Medical Necessity: For insurance to cover the costs, often, the therapeutic boarding school placement must be deemed a “medical necessity.” This typically requires documentation and diagnosis from a licensed professional outlining that the therapeutic boarding school is the least restrictive, appropriate setting for the child’s treatment.
3. Specific Coverage: Some insurance policies might cover the therapeutic component of the boarding school (such as individual therapy, group therapy, and other therapeutic interventions) but not cover the educational or boarding components. It’s important to check with the insurance company to understand which parts they might cover.
4. Pre-authorization: Before enrolling a child in a therapeutic boarding school, parents often need to obtain pre-authorization from the insurance company, ensuring that the services will be covered.
5. State Laws: In some states, insurance laws might be more favorable toward coverage of therapeutic boarding schools, while in others, it might be more restrictive.
6. Appeals: If an insurance claim for a therapeutic boarding school is denied, families often have the right to appeal the decision. This process can be lengthy and may require additional documentation or evaluations.
7. Additional Funding: Even if insurance covers a portion of the costs, families might still be responsible for co-pays, deductibles, or other expenses. Some families also explore scholarships, sliding scale fees, or financing options provided by the school itself.

While insurance can cover parts of the cost associated with therapeutic boarding schools, it’s essential to work closely with both the insurance provider and the school to understand the specifics of what will and won’t be covered. It’s always a good idea to get any coverage agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings later.

Can therapeutic Boarding Schools Address Learning Disabilities?

For teens with learning disabilities or those on the autism spectrum, it’s vital to ensure the chosen therapeutic boarding schools offers specialized support. Factors like having special educators and the ability to implement an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are significant.

Why Parents Opt for Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Many adolescents face challenges that surpass the capabilities of at-home interventions. Issues could range from substance experimentation to significant behavioral changes. When local support fails, parents often turn to therapeutic boarding schools as a last resort, hoping for a structured environment that can help their teen thrive both academically and emotionally.

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Research supports the efficacy of such institutions. Many studies indicate marked improvements in students during and post-treatment. However, individual results may vary, with the majority finding these programs beneficial.

Selecting the Right Therapeutic Boarding School

Initiate your search with our directory, offering a comprehensive list of therapeutic boarding schools that can holistically cater to your child’s needs. Remember, it’s crucial to pose pertinent questions and thoroughly assess the program before finalizing your decision.

Best Choice is a complimentary service to help parents of troubled teenagers find the right therapeutic program for their child. Parents connect with us through the many directories that we operate for the boarding school industry. If a teen needs help from a therapeutic school, we can provide the appropriate options and information.