Non-Traditional Advising
We help families find their footing when everything changes.
TBG consultants are knowledgeable about the variety of therapeutic options which can help families regain balance and get students back on track. No matter what the details of your child’s situation, they—and you—are not alone in having encountered obstacles. Yet many families find themselves floundering when adversity hits, feeling an urgent need to take action, but not knowing what resources or courses of action are appropriate or available.
We frequently help families whose children struggle with depression, anxiety, substance issues, eating disorders, school refusal, and a wide variety of other at-risk circumstances. We often serve as mediators between adolescents and parents, gathering information and making referrals to other professionals as needed to clarify the issues at hand. Our professional relationships connect families to services in their own communities, and our consultants have personally visited the majority of therapeutic programs, acute hospital settings, intervention programs, wilderness programs, and young adult support settings.
During challenging times, families need support from a variety of sources which bring a broad range of expertise. TBG consultants are experienced and knowledgeable in dealing with placement options and managing the relationships with therapists, field personnel, directors and educators. They know the individual therapists and can often be instrumental in matching the child with the most appropriate therapist in a particular program. Research has shown that the relationship between the client and treatment provider is a key factor in determining success.
Therapeutic placement is often a multi-step process and can last some time. The process usually begins with an assessment program which serves to provide intervention, awareness, and coping strategies to allow a smoother reintegration into traditional environments. During this time the individual will find him/herself in a foreign environment which fosters simplicity and clarity to reduce the current challenges they are facing at home and school. This period of assessment can last 8 to 12 weeks, and the objective is to develop a course of action for the child which will identify and address his or her emotional needs.
Our services at the beginning of the relationship with a family include:
Assessing the child’s needs and accomplishments, as well as academic, emotional, clinical and social history,
Conducting clinical and educational inventory of services and treatment, including evaluating test results,
Recommending optimal school, program and/or support services,
Advocating for the child at those schools or programs,
Providing clinical support to the family throughout the initial placement process through the services of a licensed marriage and family therapist,
Periodic, formal discussions (usually weekly) with the child’s therapist, and
Monitoring the progress and outcomes throughout all stages of the placement in order to make recommendations for next steps.
This understanding of the evolving challenges of adolescence and young adulthood often leads to a subsequent placement where these adolescents and young adults can gain the ability to act in a more socially acceptable manner. These therapeutic day/boarding schools, residential treatment centers, supportive boarding schools and young adult transition programs provide the tools which will refine the direction of their moral compass. Moreover, these programs have flexible matriculation dates and can provide credit toward a high school diploma, or outright graduation, in a shorter period of time than might be expected.
TBG consultants are an important part of a team that you will assemble as you move through this journey. Parents need emotional support throughout, but additionally, financial advice and counsel is important as well. Although TBG cannot provide this service to you directly, we can make introductions to advocates who can represent you in appealing the cost to your local school district. We also have contacts with firms who will work with you, healthcare providers and your insurance carriers to try and maximize reimbursement for the programs.
We are available at any time to discuss your child’s needs and options for help, and act as your advocate throughout the entire process.