Long before there were addiction treatment centers, counselors, eating disorder programs, educational / therapeutic consultants, LD Schools, residential boarding schools, therapists, or even wilderness programs, there were family members.

Grandpa Ben and Aunt Becky listened, or gave advice, or sometimes just told us to buck up.

When family couldn't help, there were friends or a clergy member. Most likely, we were also warned not to broadcast our troubles, and many people suffered their challenges and problems silently. Times change, and so has society's acceptance of seeking help. The old stigma of being seen as weak or incapable is largely gone, helped by many well-known actors, doctors, fathers, health care professionals, journalists, lawyers, teachers, and politicians being open about their struggles with, and treatments for, everything from alcohol abuse, cutting, eating disorders, depression, drug addiction to chronic shoplifting.

Getting help is now seen as a positive step in most people's lives. When n treatment there is a balance in which people are "collaborating on a single project: helping you deal with your problems and achieve the change you want. There is no other agenda. It's that simplicity, combined with a structured schedule, confidentiality and trust, that make these unique programs and schools work so well for so many children, adolescents, teens and young adults. Rather than proof that someone is "sick," it is a sign of good health to make a commitment to change. And, nowadays, there is an incredible number of ways to explore challenges and problems.

Beyond conventional talk therapy, there is art therapy, music therapy, somatic therapy--even laughter therapy--to name just a few. For every kind of challenge and problem, and every kind of person, there is a programs or school and therapeutic healing modality that fits. Here are some benefits of getting help for your child, adolescents, teen or young adult:

Confidentiality
The program / school, staff and therapists are bound by ethics and law (except in a few well-defined cases) not to reveal what has been said.

This adds to the feeling of safety and trust, and aids in children making changes.

Learning
These programs and schools can be seen as a deeply educational experience, in which a counselors, deans, interns, teachers, therapists act like a coach or mentor to help the adolescent see the world--inner and outer--in new and positive ways.

Safety
When the placement is right, your teen can feel safe to reveal their concerns, dreams, fantasies, fears, lies, without fear of repercussions or judgment on the part of the programs or school staff. Unlike telling a family member or friend, their words won't come back to haunt them.

Into each life some rain must fall, and we all have felt deluged at least once in our lives.

Anger, financial hardship, grief, loss, relationship problems, school failures, stress--all of these are a normal part of life. So is seeking help when coping is just too hard.

It's also normal to be a little afraid of what family and friends might say about getting help for your child. In the end, it's your child and their life, and you know best how to make it a calmer, happier, healthier, more fulfilling, more loving, richer one--with a little help.