For many parents, the decision to seek a residential treatment center for their teenager comes after a period of intense crisis. We get that, and we hear you. As parents start out with a placement for their teenager, it is natural to view the “recovery journey” or growth as a mountain climb with a clear, upward trajectory: you start at the bottom, follow the trail, and reach the peak where the struggle ends.
There is one phrase you will probably hear a lot, and we wanted to take the time to break that down for parents, and that is “the journey is not linear .“ But that does not mean there is no growth.
While that might sound like clinical jargon and sometimes these catchphrases can become cliches, understanding what it actually means can be the difference between feeling like a failure and feeling empowered during the natural ups and downs or twists and turns of not just your child’s progress, but your own.
Why Growth Doesn’t Follow a Straight Line
In many areas of life, we expect a direct correlation between effort and results. But adolescent development—especially when complicated by mental health challenges—is far more complex. A “non-linear” journey looks less like a straight arrow and more like a zig zag in a few different directions.
At Summit Achievement, we utilize a model that combines the clinical intensity, accredited academics and the hands-on growth of adventure therapy. This allows students to test their new skills in real-time.
- The Progress: Your teen learns a new communication skill during a therapy session.
- The “Dip”: A stressful moment during an expedition occurs, and they revert to an old, unhealthy coping mechanism. This is often referred to as the “j-curve”. Clinical Director and CEO, Nichol Ernst, claims a drawing of the J-curve to demonstrate this dip is the number one drawing he has made in the dirt in his time as a clinician at Summit. That is to say, growth patterns often follow the shape of the letter “J”. There is a dip, or a seeming worsening of symptoms, that help to precipitate growth.
- The Growth: Because they are in a supportive environment, they realize they slipped, use a tool they just learned to regulate, and get back on track faster than they ever could before.
Balancing Growth and Accredited Academics
One of the biggest fears parents have when considering a long-term journey is that their child will “fall behind” in life. This is why our model integrates accredited academics alongside therapeutic work.
By maintaining a focus on academics within a treatment setting, we show adolescents that their “journey” isn’t a pause from real life—it is real life. They aren’t just “getting better”; they are learning how to manage a course load while simultaneously working on their mental health. This dual focus ensures they are better equipped for the “hard stuff” that inevitably waits back home.
The Reality Check: The goal of treatment isn’t to remove every obstacle your child will ever face. The goal is to change their relationship with those obstacles and gaining the tools and understanding to face the hard stuff.
From “Fixed” to “Equipped” for Life
It can be daunting to hear that this journey doesn’t wrap up neatly in a bow upon leaving Summit Achievement. It can be lifelong. The “hard stuff” will come. Life doesn’t stop being difficult just because a student completes a program. However, the version of your teen that faces a challenge six months from now will be vastly better equipped than the version who started this journey. And the really exciting news is that the same goes for the parents. They are building a toolkit that includes:
- Emotional Regulation: The ability to sit with big feelings without exploding or imploding.
- Accountability: Shifting from “It’s not my fault” to “I messed up, and here is how I fix it.”
- Academic Confidence: Gained through our accredited academics, proving they can succeed in a classroom despite their struggles.
So What about the Parent’s Journey?
As your child’s path winds, yours will too. To support a non-linear journey, parents often need to shift their own perspectives:
- Don’t Fear the “Dip, it’s part of the J: A setback is not a sign that the treatment “didn’t work.” It is often the exact moment where the most learning happens. Yay!
- Celebrate the Resilience you Witness: Watch as your child regroups and how they bounce back from a setback. It’s rarely perfect, but it happens.
- Trust Your OWN growth: Trust that you too have gained new skills and tools to manage the difficult conversations and situations when they arise. Trust that you can set a boundary, attune to your child, and develop your listening skills that can change the dynamic of the relationship.
As your child transitions out of residential treatment at Summit Achievement, it isn’t a final destination where the work ends; it’s the vantage point where both you and your child can finally see how far you’ve come—and realize they have way more “tools in the toolbox” to handle whatever trail lies ahead.
If your teenager is struggling with their mental health or difficulty within the family system, and you are considering treatment options, perhaps Summit Achievement could be right for your family. Reach out to Admissions today.