When your daughter is struggling mentally or behaviorally, it is natural to want to take over the process. After all, as her parent, you have always guided and advised her. You want her to be safe and do well in life. You may try to control the outcome of her therapeutic interventions or recovery because you want her to succeed. While it feels natural to care for your child, it’s important to encourage her own involvement as well. For long-term changes and success, your daughter must be the one who is facilitating the changes. When she takes control of her recovery, she will be more likely to stick to the changes and adjustments she makes. At Clearview, we try to create self-sufficient students who know the value of taking responsibility.
The fact is that people can’t change unless they desire to. What’s more, forcing change on someone may cause them to turn their back on those changes. Forcing someone before they’re ready can make them resentful and closed off to treatment.
We believe in involving students in their care and progress so that they don’t feel overwhelmed. Our therapists proceed at the pace that works best for each student. These practitioners help students develop responsibility through a wide variety of programs we have available. Being engaged with your daughter’s recovery means supporting her but also cheering her on to make the best decisions for herself.
Taking Responsibility in Recovery
In recovery, part of getting better is taking responsibility for your actions. It is important to teach teenagers the value of taking responsibility for the harm they have caused to themselves and others. A research analysis focused on peer recovery groups published in Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment stated that 12-Step programs can create positive changes for teens managing addiction. The 12-Step model’s emphasis on taking responsibility for one’s actions and self-examination helps teens to make desired changes. This recovery process allows teens to critically observe their behavior.
Observing their behavior helps teens to recognize their own patterns of negativity. As they begin taking responsibility for these patterns, they can better manage their behavior. Self-reflection instills a sense of pride and a desire to do better in their lives. Finding a facility that encourages your daughter to take responsibility will encourage longer-term success. Long-term success comes from a desire to stay on the right path and continue reinforcing the success they feel. Responsibility also encourages a teen’s self-esteem to grow.
As a parent, it can feel difficult to “give over control” to your child. However, your daughter must see that you trust her. When she realizes she is in control of her own life, she will feel encouraged to make the changes that you have shown her are healthy. Recovery should be a collaborative process between her, you, and her care team. Involving her in her care will also make her more responsible in other areas of her life and help her become self-sufficient.
Self-Sufficient Teens
Clearview focuses on creating students who can handle life when things get tough. We believe in making each teen who spends time with us self-sufficient. One way this happens is through learning coping skills in therapy. Another way is through our life mentoring program, which teaches students how to take care of themselves. If your daughter is in control of her life, this gives her a sense of pride. This pride will encourage her to keep up with the changes she makes in therapy.
Being self-sufficient means that she will not have to rely on you. This will give you confidence that you will be able to rest knowing that as she ages, she can take care of herself. Being self-sufficient and responsible also means recognizing when to reach out for help. This is possible when she has the right team to rely on. These skills that she learns and implements will help her stay healthier.
Taking Responsibility Leads to Long-Term Success
When students invest in taking responsibility for their lives, this places the focus on long-term success. For a teen struggling with mental health and/or addiction, recovery often continues after receiving treatment. A publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) about internal motivation states, “When clients realize they are responsible for the change process, they feel empowered and more invested in it. This results in better treatment outcomes.” When you put your daughter through treatment, you want her to experience long-term success.
Success in recovery requires being able to manage life when things go awry. It also requires that your daughter invests her time in her well-being instead of unhealthy coping mechanisms. Success also means avoiding relapse once recovery has been achieved and knowing when to be responsible and reach out for help. Being responsible for her own life will give her the confidence she needs to make any changes necessary. She will need you for support, but you must recognize that she can do this.
If you are feeling overwhelmed caring for your daughter, you are not alone. It is important that when you are looking for care for your daughter, you find a place that will teach her autonomy. If your daughter is involved in her care, she will feel empowered to take over her own life. This will lead to strengthened self esteem and better long-term results. If your daughter feels pride around her health, she will strive to better herself each day. It is important that you support her but also encourage her to be self-sufficient. Clearview believes when teens are involved in their care, they can stay healthy. If you want to learn more, contact us at 866-584-4788.
