Unfortunately, evaluating treatment centers for young people can be a challenging experience.

To help you make the most informed decision, we encourage you to pose the following 10 questions to any treatment provider you are considering:

Is your facility licensed and accredited?

Why this matters: Licenses and accreditations provide objective evidence of quality, service, and effectiveness from third-party organizations that specialize in assessing treatment facilities. When you select a licensed and accredited facility, you know that your child will be receiving care at a center that meets all applicable standards and has opened its operations to review by government agencies or other independent reviewers. Be extremely wary of unlicensed, nonaccredited programs.

Can you tell me about the credentials, experience, and other qualifications of your staff?

Why this matters: The quality of your child’s treatment experience will be directly related to the skills and capabilities of the professionals who will be caring for them. Treatment facilities for young people may employ professionals who have a broad range of educational backgrounds, licenses, and areas of expertise. Ask for specifics about who your child will be working with while they are in treatment: How long have these staff members been employed at the facility? What is their educational background? What licenses do they hold? How has their training and experience prepared them to provide the services your child needs? Any reputable and effective treatment facility should be more than happy to share this information with you.

Can you explain your facility’s philosophy or approach to treatment?

Why this matters: There is no such thing as one perfect type of residential treatment for children or adolescents. What’s most important is finding the facility whose approach to treatment best matches your preferences and your child’s unique needs. When you’re evaluating a facility, be sure you understand its treatment philosophy and the values that guide its programming. Any representative of a reputable and effective treatment facility should be able to clearly explain these concepts to you. Be wary of any treatment providers who don’t, or won’t, discuss this topic with you.

Can you describe a typical day in treatment?

Why this matters: Personalized treatment is a hallmark of care at most reputable treatment facilities. A focus on personalized care means your child will not have the exact same experience as other young people who are receiving treatment. But you can (and should) expect that your child will benefit from certain fundamental elements of care. Any reputable treatment center should be able to provide you with sample daily schedules, discuss in general terms what your child’s time in treatment will be like, and answer any questions you may have about the specific steps they will take to help your child achieve improved health.

How will you keep my child safe?

Why this matters: Before you entrust your child to the care of a residential treatment facility, you will want to be certain that the center has implemented appropriate safety policies and procedures. How will your child be supervised? Which staff members are directly responsible for providing this supervision? What training or experience qualifies these staff members to safely supervise your child and other young people? If your child is injured or develops medical needs, how will they be cared for? Any reputable treatment provider should be prepared for all contingencies, and they should be happy to explain their plans and answer all your safety-related questions.

What type of educational support do you provide?

Why this matters: Academic support can be an integral component of residential treatment for young people. A treatment plan that includes individualized instruction or other educational services provided by trained professionals can make a significant difference in your child’s life when they return to school. If your child has experienced academic setbacks or has a history of behavior problems in school, choosing a facility that provides educational support within the context of a comprehensive, personalized plan can be especially beneficial. When you address all educational matters with an admissions representative prior to enrolling your child in a treatment facility, you can rest assured that you’re selecting the place that will best prepare them for sustained success.

What role do parents play in the treatment process at your facility?

Why this matters: Before you enroll your child in a residential treatment center, it’s important to get a clear understanding of how you’ll be included in their care. You need to determine how often you will be updated about your child’s progress, and you should confirm that you will be consulted about decisions such as any changes in your child’s treatment plan. You are entrusting your child to the care of experts — but you remain the expert on your child. Be sure you know exactly how you will be working with your child’s treatment team to ensure the best outcomes.

What family support services do you provide?

Why this matters: When a child or adolescent experiences mental or behavioral health concerns, the entire family is impacted. After the young person’s time in treatment has ended, parents and other family members will play key roles in their continued healing. Family therapy, family education, and other family support services can help parents and other loved ones process their experiences and learn how to best support the child or adolescent. A facility that offers robust family support services will put you in the best possible position to help your child during and after their time in treatment.

What type of posttreatment support does your facility provide?

Why this matters: A facility that fails to connect your family with posttreatment support can undermine your child’s ability to achieve sustained healing. The day your child enters treatment, their team should begin planning for what happens when they return home. When your child leaves treatment, you should have all necessary resources in place to support them. If you receive anything less than a detailed, personalized discharge plan, you will be at a disadvantage in your efforts to help your child sustain and build on the progress they made in treatment.

Can I visit your facility or take a virtual tour?

Why this matters: The setting in which your child receives care can play an important role in their treatment experience. As with many other aspects of residential treatment, there is no one ideal environment. What’s most important is finding the place that is the best fit for your child, and where you will feel most comfortable enrolling them. Reputable treatment centers will be happy to provide you with a guided facility tour, or at least photos of the facility and grounds if you can’t visit in person, so that you can be sure you’re making the best choice for your child.