The face of adolescent treatment has changed dramatically in the last three decades. Most hospital-based, long-term residential programs have closed, leaving only their acute units where an out-of-control or actively self-destructive child can go for a few days, be stabilized, and sent home. Lengthier stays have been replaced by a constantly changing, still rapidly growing, group of programs and wilderness experiences, some of which offer extremely sophisticated intervention and care.

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Thirty-five years ago there were very few non-medical-model accredited therapeutic schools or wilderness programs. Today, membership in The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) approaches 150 institutions. More than an equal number are not yet members of that organization.

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Unfortunately, this explosion of placement options has created its own problems: program quality varies widely; some facilities have unacceptably high staff turnover; programs are bought and sold without warning; and ethical, professional and safety standards may seem highly subjective.

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An almost unbelievable array of non-traditional, alternative, offbeat or "out-of-the-box" treatment options can be Googled for almost any situation, diagnosis or maladaptive behavior. Some have been proven to be effective, others may be downright quackery or even unsafe. Qualified consultants are very careful about recommending them.

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Here is where an experienced, specialized, and objective advisor such as Mason Associates can add tremendous value.