Two recent Netflix documentaries, The Program and Hell Camp, expose the abuse and corporal punishment many adolescents experienced at unregulated “therapeutic” boarding schools and wilderness programs. These shows, and others like them, are illuminating the maltreatment that has taken place within what’s known as the “troubled teen industry,” and pushing the mental health treatment field toward greater accountability and oversight.
Newport Healthcare is a regulated, accredited, mission-driven treatment program dedicated to providing the highest-quality care for adolescents and young adults struggling with mental health concerns. We are not part of the “troubled teen industry,” and we do not believe in “tough love.” Our programming is based on the foundation of our organizational values, which include patient first, excellence, empathy, love, and connection.
At a time when so many adolescents are suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, it’s critical that families not feel afraid to seek treatment. When a teen who is struggling does not receive professional support, the risk of a mental health crisis increases. Families and mental healthcare professionals need to know how to identify treatment programs that offer safe, accredited, effective, and compassionate care.
Key Takeaways
- Documentaries are illuminating the maltreatment that has taken place within what’s known as the “troubled teen industry.”
- It’s important to understand the difference between these unregulated troubled teen programs vs. high-quality care provided by a safe, accredited treatment program.
- There are critical signifiers families can look for that demonstrate a company’s commitment to providing the highest-quality care.
- Newport Healthcare is a safe, accredited, mission-driven treatment program dedicated to providing the highest-quality care for adolescents and young adults struggling with mental health concerns.
The 10 Top Indicators of Safe, High-Quality Treatment
There are critical signifiers families can look for that demonstrate a company’s commitment to providing the highest-quality care. Here are 10 important factors to consider when seeking adolescent treatment.
1. Accreditation
A program’s recognition by national accrediting bodies is a clear signifier of treatment quality. Look for accreditation from organizations such as The Joint Commission, the nation’s oldest and largest healthcare accreditation body, which sets the highest standards for healthcare quality; and LegitScript, the only certification available for top-rated treatment centers, granted only after completing a rigorous application process.
Learn about Newport Healthcare’s Joint Commission accreditation and why it’s so important.
2. Affiliations with Respected Organizations
Recognition and partnership with respected nonprofit organizations, like the American Psychological Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the National Eating Disorders Association, indicate that a treatment program is trustworthy and is held accountable.
View Newport’s affiliations and partnerships.
3. Insurance Partnerships
The willingness of insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment is an indicator that the company provides high-quality care with positive outcomes. Insurers typically do not cover treatment that is ineffective, dangerous, or unaccredited.
Moreover, insurers are more likely to cover care that results in sustainable healing—meaning that the insured individual does not require additional treatment stays. Newport is in network with many major insurance companies, and also works with out-of-network companies to cover patients’ treatment costs.
Learn more about our insurance partnerships.
4. An Evidence-Based Clinical Model
The best treatment programs take an integrated approach that includes both medical and behavioral healthcare. Moreover, they provide trauma-informed care utilizing scientifically validated treatment modalities.
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In Newport’s integrated approach, treatment is provided by a multidisciplinary team of medical and clinical experts, using modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. Experiential modalities, such as Adventure Therapy, are provided with the utmost attention to clients’ safety and sense of security.
Read about Newport’s integrated clinical model.
5. Published Outcomes Research
The highest-quality mental healthcare programs rigorously track and analyze their treatment outcomes, with the involvement of a third-party research organization. Newport conducts ongoing research on the results of our treatment, and publishes an annual outcomes report for the public. We also use the insights provided by our research to ensure ongoing improvement of our treatment approach.
Download our annual outcomes report.
6. Experienced and Highly Trained Staff
The foundation of a program is its team of leaders and care providers. At Newport, our healthcare leadership has demonstrated and extensive experience guiding top-tier companies in the delivery of successful, safe, and compassionate care. Our clinical staff hold advanced degrees from reputable educational institutions, and receive ongoing supervision and training.
Learn about Newport’s clinical training program.
7. A Community of Referring Professionals
Another indicator of high-quality care is the relationship a treatment company has built with local professionals who work with adolescents and their families. Repeated referrals to a treatment program show that referents trust the program and have personally observed the positive impact on individuals they referred. For example, in 2023 surveys, 99.6% of referring professionals said they would refer to Newport again. These include mental healthcare providers, physicians, school professionals, and employers.
Read about our partnerships with referring professionals.
8. Family Involvement and Communication
Many abusive programs separate teens from their families, so parents don’t know what their child is actually going through, and aren’t given updates or involved in decision-making. At Newport, family involvement is a key component of care, and families are continually updated on their child’s progress. All of our treatment plans include family therapy, and clinical staff are trained in Attachment-Based Family Therapy, a therapeutic model designed to repair ruptures in the parent-child relationship. Additionally, a client’s length of stay in our residential treatment is individually assessed by their care team, with the goal of returning the child to their home environment where they can continue their recovery with the support of family and a detailed discharge plan.
Learn more about family involvement at Newport.
9. Alumni Testimonials
Many programs use quotes from alumni in their marketing materials. However, when numerous alumni are willing to go on record about their life-changing positive experiences in treatment, this is a good indicator of high-quality care. At Newport, parents and teens considering treatment have the opportunity to speak with families who can share their firsthand experience in our programs.
Watch more videos with our alumni.
10. Thought Leadership
Rather than shying away from the spotlight, leadership from reputable treatment companies work to increase awareness of mental health and decrease stigma. They serve as expert resources in the media, present at conferences, and conduct research—exposing themselves to public scrutiny and to review by their colleagues in the field.
Learn about Newport’s Center for Research and Innovation and read press featuring our experts, in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Health, the Washington Post, Time, Oprah Daily, and more.
Contact Us to Learn More
Newport is committed to collaborating with government agencies, nonprofits, and accredited treatment centers to help establish and maintain the highest possible standards for care. Together, we can reach the essential goal of ensuring that young people who seek much-needed treatment are not further traumatized.
We’re happy to answer your questions and share more information about our integrated, evidence-based treatment.
For professionals: If you are a mental health provider, physician, school professional, or employer, contact us at nationalclinicaloutreach@newporthealthcare.com or 866-926-7701 to be connected to your regional Clinical Outreach Specialist (COS). Your COS is available to meet with you in person to explore how Newport can support you and the teens and families you work with.
For families: Call us anytime for more information at 877-929-5105. Newport provides teen mental health assessments at no charge, on site at one of our nationwide locations or by phone. We’ll recommend treatment options and verify your insurance. Get started here.
