Month: June 2014

Society today makes growing up trying times for most children due to peer pressure, social networking and other factors. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers was founded in 2002 under the mission of providing cutting edge mental health, substance abuse and family treatment. Majority of the youths come from southern California, others from big cities like New York City, Chicago and international. Visions offers an extensive clinically-based treatment for ages 13 to 18 years old extending to families making Visions Treatment Centers a premier teen alcohol rehab.

Cost vary greatly depending on services provided by treatment centers which can make teen alcohol rehab expensive. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers offer Residential Treatment, Outpatient Counseling and Day School. A Medical Doctor specializing in mental healthcare and substance abuse in adolescents performs the initial diagnosis. Determination is made on whether the child requires admission or will reject therapy. The original founding clinicians have stayed on while adding highly skilled health care workers for continued growth of a successful program. Involvement from a family member or legal guardian is highly recommended for a successful recovery unless conflicts should arise.

Visions Adolescent Residential Treatment

Visions Residential for teen alcohol rehab is on a secluded 25 acre retreat in the hills of Malibu, California. A Mediterranean style dwelling provides a home-like setting surrounded by nature. Sleeping quarters are separate for male and female patients with two in each room under supervision of a day and evening staff. Crisis intervention is readily available on a 24 hour basis. The average stay ranges from 45 to 90 days depending on the severity of symptoms and psychosocial stressors.

A Program Director supervises all counseling services in the teen alcohol rehab. Psychologists conduct psychological tests on youths upon admission. A Licensed Therapist and Counselor work directly with the adolescent throughout the treatment. A Registered Dietician plans appealing, healthy meals with appropriate caloric intake and provides consultation as needed. An Equine Therapist uses horses to help in identifying and recognizing feelings that may be difficult through conventional therapy. Art Therapists aid in creating interpretive art for use in the treatment plan.

Other treatment members involved in the teen alcohol rehab as required:

• Psychiatrist
• Supervising Nurse
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed programming

Visions Residential goals in teen alcohol rehab are:

• Facilitate the adolescent in identifying situations that lead to alcohol use and understanding that alcohol is not an effective coping tool.
• Assist with the psychological and psychiatric needs of the child.
• Introduce the 12-step philosophy and encourage participation in Alcoholics Anonymous
• Encourage and motivate the youth to achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Visions Residential program is worth the value for academics is provided alongside teen alcohol rehab. Each student engages in three hours of individualized schooling on weekdays with the use of a personalized curriculum. An Activities Consultant leads the patients in a customized physical fitness program 5 times a week for 1 hour with focus on releasing nervous tension.

The residential program holds family-focused therapy for a minimum of five hours a week. Multi-Family Group is lead by a Family Therapist in addressing issues that affect all families. Individual Family Sessions allow each member to speak their mind openly and privately. Family Education is for the youth and family members to develop an understanding of typical roles played by each member of the family. Family Passes are a unique feature of Visions Residential teen alcohol rehab. Behaved children earn privileges to attend outings on Sunday and Monday which include movies, museums, the beach, go-cart racing, community service, ropes courses and rock climbing.

Visions Residential is a private pay program and full payment is required from the family. Out team will assist with insurance benefit verification & utilization review.

Visions Adolescent Outpatient Counseling

Visions Outpatient teen alcohol rehab has two Los Angeles locations which administer solution-based programs to meet the patient’s goal on an individual, group and family basis. Visions Outpatient center assist patients in undergoing rehabilitation through a non-residential counseling environment. Sessions are 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM allowing the child to continue with regular daily routine before treatment sessions and go home afterwards to relax. Wednesdays are a day of rest.

1st Step Program

• Introduction to the beginning of the recovery process.
• Guides parents through the child’s new lifestyle.
• Helps reintegrate youths and families into everyday life after long term treatment.

Visions’ Intensive Outpatient

• 2nd step of the recovery process.
• Address existing psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs of the patient.
• Develop a firm foundation of support within society.

The 12-Step Program is implemented for teen alcohol rehab.

The Discharge Plan is a continuing care plan developed by the Counselor alongside the treatment team with input from the patient prior to leaving the program. Issues addressed in aftercare:

• Continuing Care Needs
• 12-Step Meeting Schedule
• Academic Needs
• Accessibility to Community Resources
• Anticipate Problems after Discharge and Suggest Means for Dealing with the obstacles

Visions Outpatient works out of network with insurance. We will provide the following services to our Outpatient families: Benefit Verification, Pre-Authorization, Utilization Review, Billing & Collections.

Visions Alumni Program, The Fourth Dimension, is a voluntary enrollment benefit for successfully completing the Residential Treatment and Outpatient Counseling teen alcohol rehab. Adolescents are encouraged to attend aftercare and self-help groups twice a week. Individual sessions are on a fee for service basis. The Visions Alumni Coordinator makes support calls to help the child through any dilemma that may arise and prevent relapse.

Annual Alumni Events:

• Winter Ski/Snowboard Trip
• Alumni Family Weekend
• Alumni vs. Staff Softball Game
• Knott’s Scary Farm Night
• Magic Mountain

Visions Adolescent Day School

Visions Day School administers treatment for teen alcohol rehab while providing a safe and comfortable environment for students unable to function in a traditional school. The program has open enrollment offering remedial to honor level education. School hours are 9 AM to 3 PM with tutoring available after hours.

Other program highlights include:

• WASC Accredited Curriculum (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
• Individualized Educational Planning
• Direct Access to Teachers
• 3 to 1 Student to Staff Ratio
• Individualized 1 on 1 Instructions

Masters Level Clinicians and Certified Counselors are on-site to constantly support mental and emotional health of students. Weekly individual counseling sessions provide students with opportunities to discuss their progress, challenges and struggles. Visions Adolescent graduates who sought out higher education were able to continue on to esteemed colleges and universities.

Visions goes beyond the therapeutic program to accomplish successful healing by providing follow-up care for teens. Visions’ multi-modal approach to treating complex issues of teen alcohol rehab relies on a diverse team to include family, previous treatment professionals, teachers, community experts and Visions’ trained personnel. Visions has successfully treated drug addiction, substance abuse and troubled youth.

Good insurance does not always guarantee a low cost for therapy. Insurance companies have put more restrictions on who is covered for treatment and how often. Some co-pay may be reasonable, others exorbitantly high. Call the insurance company and inquire about co-pay policies for teen alcohol rehab. Children should not be neglected due to excessive cost. Insurance can greatly help in financing treatment for healing a young mind that will grown into a happy adult.

Please click here to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers was founded in 2002 under the mission of providing cutting edge mental health, substance abuse and family treatment. Visions treatment programs for troubled youth have catered to adolescents from southern California, New York City, Chicago and international countries by promoting emotional and cognitive development. Some children do not handle problems as well as adults since they are in a crucial stage of physical and mental development. Young ones can easily be led down the wrong path due to contradictions in their values and belief systems, and environmental considerations such as strong peer influences. Visions Treatment Centers guide youngsters through challenging times of a crucial stage and helps them cope with the struggles of daily life.

Visions Treatment Centers programs for troubled youth is open to ages 13 to 18 years old. Each child receives therapy adjusted according to age and specific needs. Therapy sessions, group counseling and family counseling are offered at the center. Diagnosis by a Medical Doctor determines the program available such as Visions Outpatient Counseling, Day School and Adolescent Residential Treatment.

Visions Adolescent Outpatient Counseling has two Los Angeles centers dedicated to treatment programs for troubled youth in a controlled environment. The child is able to receive help a few hours during the day then go home in the evening to family and friends for support. Involvement from a family member or legal guarding is required for a successful outcome. Visions Outpatient Treatment Centers take various approaches for aiding a youngster in reaching a resolution.

• Guide in identifying problems that would prompt a relapse.
• Assist in identifying harmful coping mechanisms
• The child is taught to learn effective problem-solving strategies.
• Activities that allow for feelings of being stronger and in control to become independent.
• The youth finds positive attributes from within to gain a feeling of self-worth.
• Being among peers with similar issues teach the youngster to form social relationships.

Visions Adolescent Day School provides programs for troubled youth in an environment for students who are unable to thrive in a mainstream institute due to mental health, emotional traumas or behavioral problems. The child is able to be fully aware of the surrounding and keep perspective during difficulties. Tutoring is available as needed during and outside regular school days.

Some features of the Day School programs for troubled youth include:

• WASC Accredited Curriculum (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
• Transferable Accredited Curriculum
• Educational Services from Remedial to Honors Level
• 3 to 1 Student to Staff Ratio
• Individualized 1-on-1 Instruction
• Random Weekly Drug Testing
• College Preparation

Visions Residential Treatment Center programs for troubled youth is uniquely situated on a private 25 acre gated community in the hills of Malibu, California. A Mediterranean style home conveys a sense of comfort and security in a home-like setting where youths are exposed to peers of similar problems making them feel at ease. Sleeping quarters are separate for Male and Female patients with two per room under supervision of a day and evening staff. Crisis intervention is always available and ready on a 24-hour basis. The average stay is between 45 to 90 days depending on symptoms severity and psychosocial stressors.

Programs for troubled youth only succeed when staffed by a wide range of highly skilled professionals. Visions children are assigned their own licensed therapist and counselor who guide them through the entire therapy process. Art Therapists aid in creating interpretive art to be used in the treatment plan. An Equine Therapist uses horses for assistance in learning to identify feelings and thoughts that may be difficult in traditional therapy. A Registered Dietitian plans nutritious meals with appropriate caloric intake and provides dietary consultation as needed. All counseling is performed under the supervision of a Program Director. Visions additional treatment team consists of specialized consultants in the following areas:

• Medical Doctors
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrist
• Supervising Nurse
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Programming

When searching programs for troubled youth, choose one that will commit to work with the child in a comprehensive process by going beyond the Therapeutic Program. Visions Treatment Center students stay up to date on lesson plans as classes are provided three hours each weekday with application of a personalized curriculum. An Activities Consultant leads the physical fitness program “tailor-made” for each patient with focus on releasing nervous tensions.

Visions programs for troubled youth upholds a policy of treating the family as a whole unit. The residential treatment program includes family-focus therapies for a minimum of five hours a week.

Multi-Family Group is held every Saturday. A Family Therapist leads the group in addressing issues common to all families such as communication, conflict handling, and maintaining boundaries.

Individual Family Sessions allow each member of a patient’s group to openly speak their mind in a private setting. Individual sessions provide the family members with a way to address issues under the supervision of a Family Therapist.

Family Education provides residents and families with information on common issues experienced by others in the group. The youth and family members develop an understanding of typical roles played by members of other families.

Family Passes are exclusive rewards for children who behave accordingly. Sunday and Monday are designated for outings to museums, movies, beach, go-cart racing, community service, ropes courses and rock climbing.

Patients completing the active treatment programs for troubled youth have the option to enroll in Visions Alumni Program, The Fourth Dimension. Children participate in a variety of aftercare groups and self-help groups.

• Aftercare Groups Offered on an On-going Basis to All Residents.
• Residents Attend Up to Two Aftercare Groups Weekly.
• Individual Sessions are Available to Alumni on a Fee for Service Basis.
• Support Call Received from Visions Alumni Coordinator.

Visions Residential is a private pay program and full payment is required from the family. Our team will assist with insurance benefit verification & utilization review. Visions Outpatient works out of network with insurance. We will provide the following serviced to our Outpatient families: Benefit Verification, Pre-Authorization, Utilization Review, Billing & Collections.

Trust Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers when choosing programs for troubled youth. The center focuses on clinically-base treatment designed for substance abuse, drug addiction and troubled children. The original founding clinicians have been maintained while adding several dynamic team members for continued growth in the program. Only a few treatment centers offer such compelling and diverse technique in a treatment plan.

Early intervention produces a greater chance for your child to have a successful recovery. Please click here to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers have helped troubled teens since 2002. Adolescents from southern California, New York City, Chicago and international have gone to Visions seeking drug treatment. Children under the age of 18 years old are in a crucial stage of physical and mental development. Peer pressure or other factors bring on problems. A young mind is unable to rationally solve complications, thus turning to drugs. Visions residential treatment helps kids cope with the struggles of everyday life by utilizing the aid of highly skilled professionals. Visions collaborates with family members to provide comprehensive clinically based treatment customized for drug addiction, substance abuse and troubled youth.

Visions residential treatment center is a 25 acre gated community in the hills of Malibu, California with a home-like setting conveying a sense of warmth and security. Sleeping quarters are separate for Male and Female patients with two to a room under supervision of day and evening staff. Crisis intervention is available on a 24-hour basis.

Several assessments determine if a teen requires admission to the program including the child’s condition and specific drug issue.

Medical Assessment

A Medical Doctor specializing in mental health and substance abuse treatment establishes the initial medical assessment and medical services suitable for each child. A history and physical evaluation is conducted by the doctors or the teen’s personal physician before being cleared for admission into the residential treatment program.

Substance Abuse Assessment

The chemical dependency screening examines psychoactive substance exploitation to establishes a baseline for determining treatment. The assessment determines if the adolescent will accept or reject recovery.

Psychosocial Assessment

Psychosocial assessment reviews the child’s medical history, family history, developmental history, social and educational conduct, legal history, drug and alcohol history and it’s impact on the treatment process.

Psychiatric Assessment

After the initial interview, the teen will be evaluated by the Psychiatric Director. Teens diagnosed with Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse Disorder will be admitted to the drug residential treatment.

Information collected during the assessment process is used to create a Treatment Plan. The teen, along with a personal counselor, will go over goals and expectations of the program in Visions residential treatment program.

Each adolescent resident works with an assigned licensed therapist and counselor throughout the treatment. Other residential treatment team members compose of highly skilled professionals in the following areas:

• Licensed Therapists
• Psychiatrist
• Psychologists
• Medical Doctors
• Registered Dietitian
• Equine Therapist
• Art Therapists
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Programming

Patients range from ages 13 to 18 years old. Residents stay 45 to 90 days depending on the severity of symptoms and psychosocial stressors. Treatment is adjusted appropriately for the patient’s age and specific needs.

Visions teaches each child to actively become involved in the community including peer groups. The resident helps in determining additional treatment goals like pursuing educational and vocational interests, examining psychological conflicts, and exploring new interests and recreational activities. Visions residential drug treatment program sets the following objectives:

• Encourage and motivate the adolescent to achieve and sustain abstinence.
• Assist the adolescent in identifying situations where alcohol was used to cope with life’s complications, and in understanding that using drugs and alcohol to solve problems does not work.
• Help the adolescent to develop new, more effective problem-solving strategies.
• Introduce the adolescent to the 12-step philosophy and strongly encourage participation in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and/or Cocaine Anonymous (CA).
• Assist the adolescent with recognizing and acknowledging the existence of destructive behaviors and mental health issues in their lives, and the impact they have on their family, friends and future.
• Help the adolescent recognize and change problematic attitudes and behaviors which stimulate a relapse.
• Involve family and significant others in the rehabilitation process and reduce dysfunction within the family.
• Assess and meet the psychological and psychiatric needs of the adolescent.
• Assess and meet the medical needs of the resident, by referral.
• Establish a referral network system for services not rendered in the Visions residential treatment program.
• Assist the adolescent to resolve any legal issues, which may involve criminal activity.

All residential treatment counseling services are performed by highly trained personnel under the Program Director’s supervision. Specialized groups such as psycho-education group, goal setting, and drug education groups are utilized. Also used are Individual and group counseling techniques such as Art Therapy, Stress Management, Anger Management and more.

Visions residential treatment goes well beyond the Therapeutic Program. Each resident partakes three hours of individualized schooling on weekdays with the use of a personalized curriculum. Under the direction of an Activities Consultant, patients participate in a “tailor-made” physical fitness program for one hour five times a week focusing on releasing nervous tension. Adolescents learn to open up with help of horses in Equine Therapy. Teens learn to identify feelings and thoughts that can be shared with a counselor.

All residential treatment meals are planned by a Registered Dietitian. The child will receive appealing, full, hot meals. Dishes are prepared nutritiously with appropriate caloric intake. Supervised meals are served in the dining room. Meal trays are delivered to the room of patients not allowed in the dining facility.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers residential treatment program does not only focus on the child, but the family as a whole unit. Steps for meeting the families needs are:

• Individualized Programming
• Psychiatric Assessments & Evaluation
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Programming
• Develop Emotional Growth
• Achieve Physical Health
• Support Family Relations & Functionality
• Collaborative Aftercare Planning

The residential treatment program includes family-focus therapy for a minimum of five hours a week.

Multi-Family Group is held every Saturday. A Family Therapist guides the group in addressing issues common to all families such as communication, conflict handling, and maintaining boundaries. Group sessions provide families with feedback and support from other family members with similar obstacles.

Individual Family Sessions allow each member to speak their mind openly and privately. Individual sessions provide family members with a way to address conflicts under the supervision of a Family Therapist.

Family Education provides residents and families with information on common issues experienced by parents of drug addicted teens. The resident and family members gain an understanding of typical roles played by members of other families.

Family Passes is a unique reward offered by Visions residential treatment for kids behaving accordingly. Sunday and Monday are designated for outings to museums, movies, beach, go-cart racing, community service, ropes courses and rock climbing.

Patients successfully completing Visions Adolescent residential treatment programs are cared for after discharge. Enrollment in the Visions Alumni Program, The Fourth Dimension, allows teens continued participation in aftercare groups and self-help groups. Children need not fear being alone. The Fourth Dimension will have an open door for the child that feels lost.

Vision Adolescent Treatment Centers is the choice of many families as far as Asia. Offering first class residential treatment, Visions exclusive drug treatment program provides care for addicted teens from the moment of admission until after discharge.

Visions Residential is a private pay program and full payment is required from the family. Our team will assist with insurance verification & utilization review. Visions Outpatient works out of network with insurance. We will provide the following services to our Outpatient families: Benefit Verification, Pre-Authorization, Utilization Review, Billing & Collections.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665

How To Find The Right Program For Your Troubled Teen

There are many reasons a teen may need help coping with daily life, whether the problems they encounter are social, emotional, psychological or related to drug or alcohol use. For many parents, choosing the right program for their teen and the entire family can feel like an impossible task especially when dealing with a troubled teen and the various problems that can create in the family. This is why Visions was created: as an alternative to existing programs for troubled kids which are geared toward helping not only teens, but their families as well.

Founder Chris Shumow established Visions as a dynamic and innovative treatment facility whose mission is to address the needs of the teen and the teen’s family. In doing so, he recognized that treatment cannot solely focus on one facet of the teen’s life, but must incorporate and consider the teen as an individual and as part of a family unit. Because of this, Visions incorporates top-level clinical and counseling staff to assist teens and their families in healing and becoming more united.

About Visions

Every teenager is different and struggling with a different complex of issues based on their age and other factors. These problems can be broadly broken into three categories: mental health, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Every Visions client is dealing with at least type of problem, and many have multiple behavioral disorders which affect their health, socialization, and their sense of self-worth and value. Many programs for troubled kids are not equipped to deal with multiple problems at one time, adopting a “one size fits all” treatment model that does not always get optimum results.

The staff of Visions recognize that what works for one age group may not work for another, and also needs to be adjusted to each individual’s needs. This is why Visions has created a clinically-based, welcoming environment in which treatment options can be tailored to the child’s needs. Each client is given a unique plan of action that encourages success not only within the Visions program but beyond it by making family, educators, and clinicians active and ongoing parts of the child’s treatment.  Using a holistic and caring approach, Visions clinicians seek out the root causes of the child’s behavior and works to overcome them through the teaching of positive, healthy coping mechanisms rather than reinforcing negative behaviors.   By adjusting their approach for the child’s age and specific needs, Visions staff are better able to help the teen adopt healthy coping strategies.

Programs

Visions has a wide variety of programs for troubled kids from 13-18 years old. Choosing the right program is generally determined based on a thorough examination of the child’s family, medical, social and psychological and/or psychiatric history. Based on this evaluation, the root causes of the child’s behavior can be evaluated and treated effectively. Additionally it is possible to screen for latent behaviors which may not have come to the surface yet, allowing the child, family and Visions staff to take proactive steps to prevent these behaviors before they become a further problem.

Roughly half of all Visions clients are Southern California residents, with the other half coming from large cities such as New York and Detroit. Visions also helps international clients. In addition to licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors, Visions offers equine and art therapy, medical staff, and a registered dietitian to assist with helping teens find healthy ways to express their feelings and needs. A licensed therapist and counselor are assigned to every client, and clients work with both these “core” figures and with other therapists throughout the duration of their stay. In addition to Visions’ base objectives for every client, the teens themselves are also asked to help establish goals and outcomes they wish to achieve during their time at Visions.

Visions caters to both male and female clients on an inpatient or outpatient basis, offering gender-segregated and age-appropriate rooming arrangements under ongoing staff supervision. Visions requires involvement from the child’s family or a legal guardian to ensure maximum results and allow the family to be an active and vital part of the teen’s recovery. The average stay at Visions is between 45 and 90 days, depending upon the child’s needs and the results of their physical and psychological health screenings. Severe cases, such as those demonstrating suicidal thoughts or actions or teens who require additional help or support, may need to stay longer.

Family Support and Payment

Visions offers unique programs for troubled kids based on the idea that when one member of the family suffers, the entire family is weakened. Because of this philosophy, Visions’ treatment protocols are designed not only to assist the client in overcoming their issues, but also to give the client’s family the tools and resources they need to help become positive influences and assist the child both in recovery and beyond it. This is why Visions requires a family member, parent or legal guardian have an active role in the client’s treatment protocol and ongoing recovery.

Visions Residential is a private-pay program, which means the teen’s family is required to pay in full for the teen’s time at Visions. Visions offers insurance benefit verification and utilization review to see if the family’s insurance program will cover some or all of the client’s care. Visions Outpatient works with out-of-network insurance plans to assist clients and their families with benefit verification, pretreatment authorization, utilization review and billing and collections. Depending upon the type of care a client needs, outpatient or inpatient treatment programs may be offered.

Treatment and Beyond

Visions’ programs for troubled kids  look beyond simply making the child healthy, encouraging the teen and the family to establish goals to maintain positive behaviors and lifestyle choices beyond the program itself. By employing age-appropriate activities that educate clients not only on their problems but offer tools for overcoming those problems, Visions helps give clients the skills they need to make healthy decisions both in the home and outside it. These skills may include counseling on positive body image, understanding how and why drugs affect their behavior, and gaining appropriate coping mechanisms that allow for smarter and more constructive decision-making. Visions also helps clients whose behaviors may or have resulted in causing them legal trouble, in an effort to help them make restitution without paying a harsh price for an error in judgment.

Because Visions incorporates a global view of the client and encourages clients to consider how their actions and behavior affect not only themselves but their families, friends and society as a whole, its lessons last well beyond the patient’s stay. Unlike many programs for troubled kids, Visions is uniquely designed to bring all the resources a troubled child may need together in one place to facilitate healing and encourage a healthier life for everyone whose life the client touches.

If you have struggled to find programs for troubled kids without success, or if you have tried other programs that have not worked, please contact Visions today. Growing up is hard. Visions can help make it easier for you and your child. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

How can I learn to accept may gay son?

Finding out that your son is gay can be painful. Life goes out of control and suddenly it feels like you are talking to a stranger. It feels like a betrayal. Guilt may even set in with parents sometimes thinking they may have caused their son’s homosexuality.  

As a parent, you must understand that this is the time your son needs you the most. So although the “coming out” process can be marked with anger, disbelief, and rejection, you must also try to remain calm and loving.

Understand and accept your gay children

Gay children often remain quiet about their sexual orientation, but not forever. Time comes when they finally recognize their sexual preferences, accept it, and decide to be open about it.

Coming out usually happens around a particular age, though it is not the same for all people. Gay children often receive discriminatory actions and possibly rejection from peers; this is therefore their period of liberation. Coming out enables them to live a more honest life and form genuine relationships. As soon as he comes out, you should be the first person to accept him.

If people are allowed to be who they are, supported by the family, then they are likely to develop into authentic adults. However, if your son senses rejection by the family, his self-esteem will be hurt and that’s when they start thinking about alcohol, drugs, or even suicide.

Seek professional help

This is also the time when you’ll need counseling and psychotherapy. Counseling can make the coming out process less emotional. Realizing that your son is gay may cause you to grieve the loss of expectations placed on you as a family and the future you imagined for your loved one. Counseling will help you learn to live positively. These professionals can also recommend support groups for you and your son which gives you the opportunity to connect with people who have been there.

There is so much more to life than sexual orientation. By being a parent who can be counted on, you make yourself a resource, a life-long support. That’s what your son and all your other children expect from their parent.

Please call one of our specialists at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers for more information on accepting a gay son.

What Do I Do To Help My Lesbian Daughter

In the recent years, society has learned to accept gays and even gay marriages. This has caused more teens to come out, make their sexual orientations known in hopes to live a better life. It is usually a tough decision but the time comes when a lesbian realizes that coming out is the only way to turn her life around.  

So, what if it’s your daughter? Someone you care for, a person you have always had big dreams for. What happens when she steps forward and says “I am lesbian.” Do you let the anger take control? Many parents, who have successfully been through the situation, say that it strengthened the bond between them and their daughters. Here are some helpful steps you can take as a parent;

1. Find someone to talk to – of course you’ll have to pick the right people. Realizing that you have a lesbian daughter can cause disbelief so you’ll need people who can reassure you. A trusted friend, relative, coworker or even a casual acquaintance should be able to help.  Make sure that they are open-minded, progressive, and that they accept lesbianism.
2. If you can’t think of a person with these qualities, you should consider seeing a professional therapist. This can be a social worker, a psychiatrist or a psychologist. This group of professionals follows a code of conduct that requires them to be not only tolerant of but also knowledgeable about lesbians.
3. Find help from PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Gays and Lesbians) is a national support group largely comprised of parents of LGBT of which lesbians are a part. Talking to these parents will help you understand lesbianism, avoid guilt and sadness, and accept your daughter.
4. Show her love – remember that your daughter is the same person she was before she came out of the closet – the only thing that has changed is her confession. This should make you even prouder of her because she actually accepts who she is. You have to show her the same love you have showed her before. Show some interest in her life; ask questions about her sexual orientation, her job, or school.

When your daughter comes out as a lesbian, you should not panic. Seek as much knowledge about the sexual orientation and learn to provide a shoulder to lean on.

Please call Vision Adolescent Treatment Center or click here for more information.

Where is The Best Drug Treatment Center For Teens Near Malibu CA

Visions Adolescent Residential Treatment Center, Malibu is the best drug treatment center for teens in the south of California. The facility, which admits teens aged between 13 and 18, offers safe, supportive, and intensive programs sprinkled with daily activities that help teens accept their problems and start on their recovery journeys. Residents live within the facility for between 45 and 90 days depending on the severity of their symptoms and psychosocial stressors as determined during admission and in the course of the treatment.  

The Malibu residential facility sits on a 25 acre piece of land on the quiet Malibu hills, promising great comfort and privacy. All the facilities are gated to prevent runaways. The family setting of the facility makes it a home away from home for residents; both secure and dignifying. There exists separate sleeping quarters for male and female residents with rooms shared between two clients. The facility enjoys close supervision by trained staff, both in the day and at night. There is a 24 hour crisis intervention.

The centers’ treatment team consists of highly skilled and vastly experienced professionals. These people are equipped with relevant techniques and only apply modern treatment plans. Upon admission, every resident is allocated a counselor and a licensed therapist. This works perfectly because the professionals are able to monitor the teens closely as they help them through the treatment. Of course, the teens will also work with several other professionals over the course of the treatment for maximum gain. Among the professionals who tend to residents are licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, registered dietitians, medical doctors, art therapists, supervising nurses, and equine therapists.

Teens who come to the adolescent residential treatment facility at Malibu are:

• Encouraged and effectively motivated to abstain from drugs
• Taken through situations where drugs may be used to cope with problems, and made to understand that drugs are not a solution to any problem
• Assisted in identifying other ways of solving their problems
• Educated on behaviors and problematic attitudes that can cause relapse
• Introduced to and encouraged to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Analytics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA).

The drug treatment center works closely with the teen’s family and assists them in solving any legal issues such as criminal cases.

Please call one of our specialists at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers or click here for more information.

Find the Top Mental Health Facility for Teens in Southern California

All of us go through the hard times when our thinking and emotions are adversely affected, but we usually manage to come through this period and carry on with our daily lives. Unfortunately for others, these emotions can sometimes be too much. If the chaotic nature of thinking patterns and unrelenting emotions become unbearable, these people can suffer from mental illness. Mental problems are characterized by alternations in thinking, behaviors or moods (or a combination of two or all the conditions), and inability to function normally over an extended period of time.  

Mental health and wellness allows teens to;

• Cope with the stressful moments of life
• Be productive at work and in their studies
• Make meaningful contributions to the society
• Realize their actual potential

The psychological challenges faced by adolescents mean that they are usually at an increased risk of mental illness.

What causes mental illness?

There is no single cause of mental illness. Ongoing research reveals the condition can be sparked by a complex combination of genetics, physical, social and biological environments. Factors such as teen lifestyle, substance abuse, depression and family environments can also play a part in the onset or relapse of mental illness.

Signs and symptoms

Some of the symptoms of mental illness include;

• Lack of energy
• Withdrawing from people
• A feeling off worthlessness
• Change in sleep and eating habits
• Having unexplained pains and aches
• Severe mood swings
• Confusion, forgetfulness, anger, worry and fear
• Self injury
• Contemplation of suicide
• Feeling of helplessness of hopelessness
• Abnormal use of drugs

Is mental illness treatable?

Mental illnesses being chronic diseases are life-long conditions. This however does NOT mean that the symptoms cannot be managed. With proper treatment and support these symptoms can be treated at any mental health facility for teens and the condition can go into remission.

Vision Adolescent Treatment Centers now offer comprehensive mental health programs in southern California. Affected teens as well as their families are taught how to understand and manage the situation. Families also learn how they can remain helpful to the teen even after he or she returns home.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call 866-889-3665 to speak with a specialist from Vision Adolescent mental health facilities.