30 Year Memoir to read in 30 seconds: 1979-2009 by Miriam Bodin

In the spirit of being thankful, I wanted to post a recent article that Miriam Bodin wrote in preparation for our 30th celebration. Read and enjoy.  We at Bodin wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

When I decided to open a practice in educational consulting back in 1979, there were very few people doing this work.  In fact “the work” back then consisted of helping families and students to find the “right fit” for prep school, day school, or college.  I was such a consultant until I began to visit and learn about the emerging world of “special needs” schools and programs.   I learned how limiting it was to just provide names of schools and programs to families and the reassurance that someone had investigated those schools and programs.

These families needed more education about the world of residential schools, in-depth guidance, strategic planning and collaboration on an ongoing basis if their child was to be sent from home to residential treatment.   Put another way, the families with the most complicated, troubling, at-risk children really needed sophisticated help, not just “a list.”

Thus, when Douglas Bodin joined me in 1991, a veritable sea change took place and we began our journey of growing our team of professionals who already had education, training and experience in the fields in which we were increasingly immersed.

We grew our company with the primary focus of serving families who needed our help to develop a plan to assist their youngsters.   We stopped being placement consultants and shifted to being members of a professional team that often consisted of the parents, the child and the professionals already working with the family.  If the child was then “placed,” professionals serving the child (and parents) in the special school or treatment program were added to the team.   Our mission statement says it all:
To provide the most valuable and comprehensive assessment and planning services for the educational and therapeutic needs of children, young adults and their families.

What has this journey meant to me?   I am grateful for whatever passion and spirit of adventure prompted me to embark on this career path.   It has provided me with:  1) opportunities to interact with parents (often heroic in their efforts to help their kids); 2) connection and interaction with fantastically humane, intelligent, and creative professionals both in the local community and in treatment centers and schools all over the country; 3) the establishment of a team here at Bodin of wonderful hard working and committed professionals who genuinely care about their work and their families; and 4) a chance to observe my own son devote himself to helping others.

At the risk of sounding sappy, but within the 30 seconds:   No one could be luckier than I. I come to work every day knowing that I have the chance to help someone or someone’s kid have a better chance.   Is there anything sweeter than this to say about one’s life?

Response to Sue Scheff – At Wit’s End

Douglas Bodin, CEO

www.thebodingroup.com

http://admittingmistakesasaparent.blogspot.com/

Dear Sue—

That’s a fantastic reminder to desperate parents of the risks associated with getting on the internet. Predatory practices by otherwise reputable organizations, let alone those by the disreputable ones, are outrageously commonplace. As an Educational Consultant I also agree almost entirely with your assessment of educational consultants! My firm is the largest in the country, employing almost exclusively Masters and Ph.D. – level, experienced professionals to act as the guides and planners for families in crisis. It’s the best of both worlds, in my opinion. As trained therapists, they understand the intricacies and nuances of often significantly clinical issues. But as a team of 15, constantly traveling around the country visiting and evaluating hundreds of programs, we bring a level of knowledge and on-the-ground experience that is unmatched. Furthermore, with a diversity of clinical experiences and backgrounds, our team approach allows each consultant to collaborate and derive support and guidance from other members of the team on a regular and routine basis. I further agree that consulting with your therapist is an important component of the process. We get most of our referrals from therapists who may recognize the possible need for a residential placement but rely on our travel, experience and expertise to help determine its necessity and location. Finally, with regard to the politics, I believe you are unfortunately correct that individual practitioners are limited in the number of programs with which they can remain conversant. They have their “favorites” that are often based on factors unrelated to the specific needs of a particular child. And while Wilderness programs are often an extraordinary first step as a preparatory and evaluative tool, they aren’t for everyone. Adhering rigidly to the best interests of the child, advocating for his or her needs and remaining involved throughout placement(s), guiding a family and problem-solving at every step is an essential recipe for successful outcomes. Being more than mere “matchmakers” is what has contributed to our success and growth for 30 years.

What is a Troubled Teen?

Most people would use that term to describe the kid down the street known to have troubles with the law or who has a history of using alcohol or pot. For the Educational Consultants at Bodin, we see troubled teens who do fit the typical idea of a troubled teen, but who are not thriving for many reasons other than substance use and troubles with the law. We work with adolescents, young adults and families who need guidance developing appropriate and individualized plans for academic and emotional growth. We have developed relationships with schools, programs and individual resources throughout the country in order to ensure that a plan we create will be successful. Much of our work is with the families in order to maintain the plan and not fall prey to the common parenting pitfalls that can interrupt or setback these plans.

If you think you have a troubled teen and would like to speak to a consultant, call 800-874-2124

Back to school!

The start of new school year is usually an exciting time, but if you have troubled teen or a struggling teen, you may be approaching this time with a high level of anxiety about what this year will bring. Often, parents that call Bodin looking for help from an Educational Consultant have previously thought about calling, but put it off hoping things would get better. That is perfectly fine, there is help for you and your student when you are ready. The plans that our consultants put together are based solely on the individual student and family needs. Whether it’s researching local private school options for a student struggling with learning issues or residential options for a student with a more complex set of issues, we can help.

Check out www.thebodingroup.com or call 800-874-2124 to speak to someone today.

Drug Testing, right or wrong?

Without going into the great detail that many recent articles have on whether or not to drug test your adolescent or young adult, let me just say; if this is an issue in your home, you may need to start thinking about outside intervention and assessment. Educate yourself about drugs of abuse and the options available should you decide to seek help for your family. There are so many options and so many underlying issues that need to be addressed when a young person begins using substances. An Educational Consultant can educate you and help you. Whether it’s early intervention through parent coaching or a crisis intervention through treatment planning, the Educational Consultants at Bodin have experience, knowledge and compassion and are ready to help today!

Check out www.thebodingroup.com or call 800-874-2124

Parenting a Troubled Teen

” When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around, but when I got to be twenty-one I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years” – Mark Twain

Issues of parenting struggling teens or troubled teens are not new, but the stakes are higher. Today, our children face issues of drugs and alcohol, anxiety, depression and other mental health crisis that can impede on the academic process and cause chaos in the home.

At Bodin, our Educational Consultants are skilled in working with families who are struggling and help to create treatment plans that confront and treat the issues within the entire family system. To learn more check out our website at www.thebodingroup.com or call 800-874-2124.

Help for Troubled and Struggling Teens, cont…

The next level of care can be termed learning specific or specialty boarding schools and programs. These offer specific support for, but not limited to, learning differences and social skills challenges. Community based schools and programs are the next level of care and provide a supportive and structured environment for students who may need semi-therapeutic support. The next level of care is therapeutic boarding/emotional growth boarding schools and programs. These guide students through a set curriculum of skills often addressing communication, honesty, integrity, leadership, relationships, etc. Some of these may offer individual therapy, group and family support but these components are not present at all. Clinical boarding schools and programs offer the next level of care. These offer individual therapy as well as group therapy and family support. The highest level of care, outside of hospitalization, is called residential treatment. Residential treatment centers offer weekly or more individual therapy, multiple options for group therapy as well as family support and workshops. Residential assessment programs do not have a specific place on the residential care continuum. These assessment programs can be used as a first step intervention to determine the level of care necessary for students and families. Assessment programs can also be recommended at any point during an intervention to gather a more comprehensive understanding of a student’s presenting issues.

Most residential schools and programs provide academics. Programs range from traditional college prep classrooms to individual academic plans. Tuition for residential schools and programs increase as the clinical support required increases. The length of stay at schools and programs is based on the components of the program as well as the student’s presenting issues.

The decision to engage in a residential intervention can be one of the most important decisions a family will make for their children. Speaking to an Educational Consultant is an investment in the best possible chance for success in a residential school or program that meets a young person’s needs academically, socially, and emotionally.

To speak with an Educational Consultant and learn more about Educational Consulting at Bodin, please call 800-874-2124 or visit www.thebodingroup.com.

Help for Troubled and Struggling Teens, continued…

Residential schools and programs exist to support students and families with a variety of presenting issues. The presenting issues often determine the level of care that students and families will need as they make decisions about residential interventions.

Residential interventions can be short-term or long-term. The length of stay of residential interventions is also determined by the presenting issues of the student and family.

The residential continuum of care is most easily understood by looking at it from left to right. On the left we start with traditional residential interventions such as college preparatory boarding schools, short-term non-therapeutic programs and camps and study abroad programs. These traditional residential interventions do not typically provide therapeutic support.

more to come…

If you need help, please call and Educational Consultant at Bodin, 800-874-2124

Help for troubled and struggling teens

Exploring residential treatment options can be very overwhelming for parents. At Bodin, we believe it is essential to educate families about appropriate treatment options, both local and residential, that exist for their children. With this information families have the knowledge to seek support from educational consultants as well as other professionals in their community.

Over the next several days I will write about options on the residential continuum, come back and check it or call and Educational Consultant at Bodin today.  800-874-2124 www.thebodingroup.com

The Cost of Helping Your Troubled Teen

There is no inexpensive way to access the many fabulous treatment options that exist for troubled teens or families in crisis. At Bodin, we believe that by hiring an Educational Consultant you are adding value and potentially reducing the overall cost of treatment. Check out our website www.thebodingroup.com or call 800-874-2124 to hear more about Educational Consulting.