FAQs

How do I know what level of support my teen needs?

Our team of seasoned professionals can help you assess what is happening with your child. We have years of experience working with adolescents, young adults and their families. During our initial assessment, we will gather information from both you and your child to establish a realistic clinical picture and develop probable treatment interventions to establish the best possible outcomes for your teen and your family.

How do I know what level of support my teen needs?

At Oakwood, while we value and practice several forms of therapy, we have found that a combination of integrated and linked therapeutic services can be a very effective approach for the family in need of help. Individual therapy uses a one-on-one approach and, in many instances, therapists have a broad client population and do not specialize in treating young adults and adolescents. At Oakwood, our focus is on helping teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 24. Through our years of experience, we have found that using a supportive and collaborative approach engaging not only the young person, but also his or her family members and other medical and educational professionals, provides the best possible outcomes. Teens and young adults at this developmental stage still rely significantly on their families and parents for support and guidance. When relationships are strained, introducing outside professional and structured support can ease conflict and create an environment that is ready for change.

My child’s problems seem very significant, why would an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) be better than a residential program that is out of the area?

Making the decision to send your child away from home is a difficult and painful process coupled with a great deal of confusion and uncertainty. Could sending them away prematurely be more harmful then helpful? What happens when they return and face the same peers, family dynamics and issues that existed before they left? Can our family afford the significant cost of a residential program with little or no guarantee of a successful and lasting outcome? What if you could accomplish the same things, including a better chance for sustainable change, at a fraction of the cost, while keeping your child at home? This is where an Intensive Outpatient Program can be a better alternative. If you are open and ready to do the work together with your child then our IOP is your answer. Many residential programs are effective in working with the young person while in treatment. But, when they come back home to their normal home life, away from the controlled and insulated environment provided in a residential setting, many of the same initial challenges resurface due to the simple fact that the young person has yet to apply their newfound knowledge in a real life setting.

Why do the parents need to be actively involved in their teen’s treatment plan?

Research clearly shows that treatment outcomes are more effective for the adolescent or young adult when their family participates in the therapeutic process. The reasons why our children have challenges and act out are complex. What we do know is that the family dynamics are incredibly influential in a child’s decision-making process. Parental and sibling relationships, social media, peer groups, parenting styles and the stability of their home life are strong factors that do count. To not include the family just doesn’t make sense. Parents need supportive counseling to help create authentic and lasting change, not only for their child, but for the entire family.

My child has several challenges. How can Oakwood address all of our concerns?

Today most of our teens and young adults needing help are struggling with mental health, behavioral and substance abuse concerns. Treating problems effectively, one must consider all components of the child’s complete environment. At Oakwood, our services are multifaceted, highly integrated and collaborative. Working with other health and medical professionals along side academic institutions and the family allow for a holistic and comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan. When services can be integrated, it enables the treatment team to engage the client and family on many different levels with the goal of creating supportive change.

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Welcome to Oakwood Institute

At Oakwood, we “get” what families need to feel supported, and we have the clinical resources necessary to achieve successful outcomes for our clients. We believe that families are complex systems that come with many parts, and as such we provide families the comprehensive help they truly need to create positive change not just for the adolescent, but for the family system as a whole.

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