Quick Links: Troubled Teens
While there are numerous therapeutic options to help troubled teens often the costs, particularly for specialized or residential treatment programs, present additional challenges for families already stressed by the problems their teen is experiencing. Following is one mom's experience and how she found a solution to this problem.
The Problem
Anne had no idea how she was going to pay for her son to participate in the treatment program he needed. She had already scrambled for funds a few months earlier in arranging for him to attend a therapeutic boarding school.
Now her troubled teen had been kicked out due to worsening behavior and the school was recommending that he participate in a wilderness therapy program. But Anne and her husband didn't know if this was possible, they couldn't afford the program costs, which were quickly adding up to thousands of dollars.
To make matters worse there was very little time in which to look for ways to pay as the transition from boarding school to the wilderness program had to be done quickly.
The Solution
So Anne, a business woman and writer, decided to do what she does best. Drawing on her business savvy, communication skills and concern for her son she vowed to find a manageable solution that would allow her teen to get the help he needed.
She called the wilderness program directly and asked to talk to the person in charge of financial assistance. When she explained her situation and asked for help the response was positive; the program was willing to negotiate their fees so her son could attend. Recent tax returns were requested in order to prove that the tuition exceeded the family's ability to pay. This information was reviewed and the program agreed to reduce the tuition costs.
Once this determined mom was able to get the costs down to an amount she and her husband felt they could manage, they were ready to transition their teen into the now slightly more affordable wilderness program. Once he was there they would work with their insurance company and continue to look for other financial assistance to fund his continued stay.
Lessons Learned
Negotiating fees with a treatment program may be an option worth pursuing for parents of troubled teens, depending on your situation. Be willing to ask for financial help when it's needed. Prepare what you will say in advance when asking for help. Be ready to provide financial information to back up your claim that the costs exceed your ability to pay.
Funding the treatment a troubled teen needs can be challenging. This mom found an answer that worked for her situation, perhaps her experience will help in finding a solution for yours.
Quick Links: Troubled Teens