CLINICAL PROGRAMS
The
Case for Age-Specific Treatment
Emotionally, developmentally, and
clinically, there is a difference between a younger and an
older teen.
 Their needs and wants are different, as is
the way in which they process information and in how they
approach problems. Therefore, while the first, instinctive
reason to separate populations is protection
(keeping younger girls away from older girl behaviors and
attitudes), there are many others that have to do with the
simple differences between the populations. The following
benefits are just a few of those experienced by girls at
Moonridge Academy as compared to traditional residential
treatment’s mixing of ages:
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Age
appropriate treatment. This includes sand
tray therapy (the use of figurines and a sandbox
to recreate relationships, scenes, etc in a way that
allows the girl to subconsciously reveal deep
thoughts and feelings), play therapy,
equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP--click
here to learn more about EAP), and specialized
low ropes course and canyoneering
exercises that improve self-esteem, encourage
teamwork, work on trust issues, and set patterns for
overcoming fears.
· Play
time built into the schedule. Because of
the great need for structure with this type of girl,
most residential treatment centers that work with
varying ages end up being too structured for a
younger girl.
· Horseback
riding. Moonridge Academy has an
outstanding equestrian program. Working and
recreating with animals can be highly
 therapeutic.
Moonridge girls ride, groom, and work with horses.
At higher levels, girls have the opportunity to take
advanced riding lessons and to become skilled
equestrians. Moonridge feels strongly that
this work with horses is ideal for these younger
ages.
· More
Protective Environment. Moonridge’s age
limitation means that girls don’t get exposed to
“older girl issues and behaviors” as much. While
some girls will in fact be of high school age and
grade, Moonridge could nevertheless quite accurately
be metaphorically likened to a therapeutic “Middle
School” or “Junior High” while traditional treatment
centers could be likened to “High School.”
· Better
Group Therapy. Younger girls tend to open up
more in group therapy and worry less about “looking
dumb” when older girls aren’t present. |
The Role of Parents: Key
to Long Term Success
At Moonridge Academy, emphasis is placed on helping the
family system—arming the family with the tools they need
to make the successful transition home. Because most of
our parents are unwittingly locked into an unhealthy dance
step of control battles and manipulation with their
daughters prior to admission, proper training and
education to help parents break out of this pattern is a
key factor for long-term success.
Parents are involved in three
ways: first, they have weekly parent reading assignments
and homework as part of the Personal Greatness Program;
second, they participate in weekly family therapy sessions
 (via
the telephone); and third, they travel to and participate
in Parent Weekends that are held on campus every eight
weeks. Parent Weekends include family therapy and group
therapy sessions, recreational therapy activities done
with parents and daughters, Parent Support Group meetings,
and specific activities that target improved parent/child
conflict resolution and communication.
Parents have frequently
expressed to us their surprise (and delight) at the
personal growth and change that they have experienced in
themselves as well as in their daughter. Significantly,
these new parenting skills play a major role in allowing a
girl to sustain her change when she returns home in the
future.
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