An Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) is an independent consultant who helps parents and students plan their education. They typically are self-employed and are available for hire by a parent to help identify the best educational options for a child, depending on their specific needs and challenges. Many have become “interventionists,” and behavioral health consultants working to offer substance abuse assistance, residential program placement, and manage the therapeutic school enrollment process for struggling teens and making poor choices.
My specialty is working with parents of teenagers experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties. Most parents who search Google aren’t aware IECs can to help guide them through this difficult process. As an advocate and partner, you can rely on me during the selection, enrollment process and after your teen returns home.
An Independent Educational Consultant is a family’s resource and advocate, a sounding board, a virtual assistant and a coach that guides you through the placement process. She helps families investigate, evaluate and secure placement and or enrollment into a teen therapeutic program, residential treatment center or boarding school that is a good fit for your child’s specific needs.
She will complete a full assessment of your specific situation by conducting in-depth interviews, and then help you understand the best options for your child.
She will provide options and answer questions about various programs and the associated costs, including payment and financing options. She can arrange an intervention, answer questions or help you arrange transportation, put you in touch with other parents to get first hand testimonials. She will be your partner through the entire teen placement process; some IECs also provide parenting coaching and ongoing support.
Fees vary widely, from hourly consulting fees to specific packages which depend on the services you choose. Engagements can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. Working with an IEC will help you save time and money by ensuring a successful placement for your teenager. Most people find that the fees are a worthy investment, considering the knowledge and experience you are getting to guide you through this complex process.
The parents pay an Independent Educational Consultant for their services while admission counselors work for the school and are incented and paid.
An Independent Educational Consultant is a child advocate and works with many schools and programs to find the perfect fit for your child.
Yes, you may do that. However, unlike an Independent Educational Consultant, a program admissions counselor is only an expert in that specific school. An IEC usually works with many schools and programs. Independent Educational Consultants vet the programs, have established relationships with the staff and directors. Most visit the programs regularly speak to students and parents to stay abreast of changes, quality of service and program outcomes.
A boarding school provides an academic program for those students who live on the premises. The word boarding school relates to room and board.
(1) Many boarding schools for single-gender, co-ed, long-term and short-term, therapeutic schools, and rehabilitation programs offer continued education. There are preparatory schools with stringent admission requirements. Some are specialty schools offering pre-professional programs. Some specialize in learning disabilities and work with children with behavioral problems, and some are strict preparatory schools like most military schools in the US.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools are a type of residential therapeutic program that combines education, structure, supervision, social, academics, sports, behavioral, and emotional development. Some offer ongoing religious or spiritual nurturing and support for addiction recovery, including vaping, video games, the Internet, and other social behaviors. A therapeutic boarding school is licensed by the state and should be accredited. A child should be able to transfer all credits to a public school.
Teen therapeutic boarding schools aim to promote growth and learning in a long-term model. The earliest known therapeutic boarding school in the United States dates to 1920; it was intended explicitly for troubled adolescents.
Military Schools are preparatory educational institutions for those interested in a military career or planning to attend an elite university. Military schools have rigorous admission standards as they are looking to build our future military leaders. Also, many students planning to attend an elite university choose a military school. It is common for parents to assume that they need to go to military school when their teenager misbehaves. Parents of a certain age associate military with discipline and therefore believe if their kids need help, they should send them to a military school. This is a common misperception; military schools do not typically accept teenagers who are struggling with school or have behavioral issues
Boot Camps are short-term programs designed around the idea of a military boot camp. It is intended to “break down” your child’s will and their short-term focus to get them to “behave” according to a set of rules. While these boot camps offer a short-term solution for teenagers, they are a bit like Scared Straight but have been proven to only work during the program term.
The long-term success ratio is not proven. Teens who attend a boot camp often become more rebellious and defiant after completing the boot camp program. If you choose to find a boot camp for your child, make sure it is one with oversight and try to speak to parents whose children have attended these types of programs.
While there are many differences among programs, long-term therapeutic programs go beyond a single issue and aim to help the child develop new coping skills and confidence-building, resulting in personal growth. A reputable therapeutic program often offers strict discipline, compassionate care and psychological counseling, academics, and support groups and other behavioral therapies to address a variety of issues, including addiction, behavioral, and emotional problems.
Many of these programs are intended to provide a less-restrictive alternative to incarceration or hospitalization. These programs go by a variety of names, including “therapeutic boarding schools,” “emotional growth academies,” “behavior modification facilities,” and “wilderness therapy programs.”
Which program is best suited for your child? Choosing the right program for your troubled teen is a confusing and complex process, and parents get frustrated searching online and trying to decide which is best for their adolescent child.
Don’t go it alone! I can guide you through the process of finding the right program for your teen and family. I have a comprehensive portfolio of programs and, upon completing an assessment, will recommend the right fit depending on your child’s needs.
Short-term residential treatment programs for adolescents usually focus on a single behavioral issue like substance addiction or mental health, like depression, eating disorders, or suicidal tendencies, typically 30-60 days.
While there are many differences among programs, long-term therapeutic programs go beyond a single issue and aim to help the child develop new coping skills and confidence-building, resulting in personal growth. A reputable therapeutic program often offers strict discipline, compassionate care and psychological counseling, academics, and support groups and other behavioral therapies to address a variety of issues, including addiction, behavioral, and emotional problems.
Many of these programs are intended to provide a less-restrictive alternative to incarceration or hospitalization. These programs go by a
Therapeutic services for troubled teens vary by program and should be personalized to your teen’s specific needs. Troubled Teen Programs offer:
Holidays and school breaks are tough for parents who have a teen in crisis. Sending your child away to a residential therapeutic program any time of the year is a big decision. Before holidays or big family plans, it seems even more difficult. Often, we think, “Well… if I do this with him during —– (fill in the blank), it will be better”. The answer is almost always, don’t wait.
Think about the past holidays or the last time you made big family plans that included your teenager…were they fun? Did your child create drama and frustration for you and other family members? Did they even appreciate Christmas for the spirit of the holiday, or were they demanding and entitled?
Also, think of this phrase, “natural consequences.” If your child weren’t making poor choices, they would be home for that special family occasion. This is a great opportunity to teach them that her choices cause her positive and negative consequences.
This is not a punishment but the beginning of healing the entire family. The sooner you start, the sooner the healing begins, and a new route develops for her life’s path. They can share many more family trips and holidays with the family; with more respect, confidence, and love.
There are many financial options for parents such as Home Equity Line of Credit, borrowing from 401k or utilizing 529 college plan funds. There are some options for health related loans and in some school districts there are alternative options for partial reimbursement.
To understand all of your options, we recommend you speak to an Independent Educational Consultant like Mary Warren about your specific situation.
It depends on your child’s specific needs. How long has she been exhibiting the behaviors? One month, two months, eighteen months? Short-term programs can sometimes be an option for intervention or stabilization for a child out of control. A short-term program usually lasts four to twelve weeks.
Long-term programs are nine to twelve months and have a higher success ratio. In my experience, by the time a parent starts to consider sending their child to a program seriously, the situation is severe enough that it requires not just an intervention but a long-term plan to ensure sustainable long-term change.
Parents choose a school or a program based on the information available when the decision is made. Even the most diligent parent will find it impossible to be sure unless they’ve carefully researched or had inside knowledge of the type of schools available throughout the country.
There are hundreds of therapeutic boarding schools on the West Coast alone and many more throughout the country. Some schools have been around for years, while others pop up and close within a few years. Unfortunately, the troubled teen industry has been known to have difficulties since state regulations and licensing requirements are different in every state.
Making this choice for your family is difficult enough but doing it alone without the guidance of an expert is like throwing dice and hoping for the best.
In today’s environment, where so much information is available online, many people work with experts when buying a home or making an investment. This decision is life-altering for your child and your family. I urge you to work with an expert to ensure the best outcome.
Independent Educational Consultants are the experts in this field with inside knowledge, experience, and access that is not readily available to others. Most placements that fail do so because the program was not the right fit.
Equine Therapy involves supervised activities and interactions between a patient, a mental health professional, and a horse handler.
Activities include grooming, feeding, haltering and leading a horse, mounting, and riding.
Equine Therapy has high success ratios with teenagers, especially teens with learning disabilities, ADHD, Depression, and other emotional issues. Some therapeutic programs with outdoor components like Wilderness Programs often offer Equine Therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.
Equine Therapy helps develop accountability, responsibility, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and self-control. Some studies report increases in assertiveness, emotional awareness, empathy, improvement in social relationships, and social responsibility.
There are many benefits attributed to equine Therapy. Horses are non-judgmental, have no preconceived expectations or motives, and are highly effective at mirroring attitudes and behaviors. Children with autism and teens suffering from depression often benefit from this Therapy.
Health insurance does not typically pay for therapeutic boarding school tuition. The health insurance companies look at these programs as boarding schools. However, some health insurance policies offer reimbursements for the mental health therapy part of the tuition.
I always say, when you know, you know… deep inside your subconscious, you know that everything you have tried has not worked. If you are like most parents I work with, you’ve tried therapy, medication, changing schools, taking everything away, negotiating, and sending her to stay with other family members.
You find yourself at the point where there is nothing left to do. You feel defeated and exhausted. You are terrified for your child, and deep inside, you know this is the only option left.
Working together, you and I will examine all the options and work through the emotions. We will navigate the complicated and confusing information to make the best choice for your family.
Not all residential treatment programs offer academic programs that can be transferred to your local school or that count towards a high school diploma. While many programs offer educational options, sometimes it becomes necessary to work with your teenager on behavioral issues before focusing on academic education.
When considering a residential treatment program, you should ask if their academic program is accredited and transferrable. Some programs only offer self-study, online education, or even distance education. In contrast, some have fully accredited schools and licensed, certified teachers.
If you are searching for a program without the aid of an Independent Educational Consultant, I recommend you ask the admissions coordinator about their academic program and accreditation.
If you are searching for a program without the aid of an Independent Educational Consultant, I recommend you ask the admissions coordinator about their academic program and accreditation.
Many of these programs are found in some states but not all because of child consent vs. parent consent. In some states, your child has to agree to attend and to stay. While in other states, you, as the parent, make the decision.
Moreover, it has been proven that a child does better when removed from peer influences and familiar environments. The distance from home allows the teenager to let their guard down and work on themselves without distractions. An excellent therapeutic school or program will want family involvement even at a distance. Technology today makes it easier than ever to have face-to-face communication.
Many parents struggle with this question. If your child is sneaking out, breaking the law, using drugs or alcohol, has low self-esteem, has recently changed friends, is difficult to live with at home, defiant and disrespectful and the behavior has been ongoing or getting worse over time then he is exhibiting high-risk behaviors that are not just normal teenage rebellion.
The process is different for every family, and it depends on your specific situation. In case of a crisis requiring intervention, like when a child is in danger, or a court order is pending, the situation necessitates a fast or expedited process that could take 24-72 hours.
For non-crisis situations, it depends on your sense of urgency. There is a discovery and assessment process that requires phone consultations with parents, a therapist, and or other professionals who are treating or have treated your child recently. We will need access to medical and academic records. Typically, the process takes a week to two weeks depending on how quickly we can get all the necessary documents and secure travel arrangements.
