CBT for Teens Who Run Away or Skip School

This Article Will Discuss the following;

  • An understanding of CBT teen runaway behavior
  • Teen runaway behavior
  • How Residential Treatment can help address teens who run away
  • Techniques used in CBT for teens who run away
  • Common challenges faced in CBT for teen runaway behaviors

What is CBT?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment for various conditions such as teen impulse control disorder, depression, anxiety disorders in adolescence, eating disorders, severe mental illness, and drug and alcohol uses. It has been proven to be more effective than other forms of psychological therapy or medications in improving the quality and functioning of life. Adequate scientific research and robust data support the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for teens.

The psychologist works with the teens in CBT to identify the problem and develop the most effective treatment method. CBT emphasizes an individual’s current problems, not what led to such problems. Although the individual’s life history may also be essential, the primary focus is on the best practices to attain effective coping methods. It also focuses on making the individual their therapist by equipping them with the skills to develop coping mechanisms, enabling them to control their emotions, thinking, impulses, and behavior.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is grounded on these three key principles,

  • Psychological problems are partially caused by unhelpful thinking.
  • Psychological problems are partially caused by unhealthy and unhelpful behavior.
  • Psychological problems may be managed by learning coping mechanisms.

Teen Runaway and Truancy Behaviors

Truancy in school is when an adolescent misses school several times without an apparent reason. Truancy is often confused with teenage absenteeism, although the two terms are distinct. However, both truancy and absenteeism are common in teenagers. States have different laws governing truancy. The law is involved in truancy because it can be a precursor to criminal activities and delinquency. Truancy also indicates family challenges on certain occasions, thus necessitating a serious concern.

Teen runaway behavior is when a teenager frequently leaves home or skips school for no good reason and returns after a few days. Teenagers with chronic runaway behavior may take longer before returning home.

Why Do Teens Run Away?

Teenagers often run away to escape challenges experienced at home or school or pursue other desires.

Teens can be categorized as episodic runaways or chronic runaways. Episodic runaways leave home when triggered by the urge to leave home or skip school. On the other hand, a chronic runaway exhibits manipulative traits by constantly threatening their parents or guardians to run away. Chronic runaways frequently leave home to go to a relative’s home or a friend’s place who would appear to be sympathetic. They tend to stay at such places for a long period before going back home.

Teens may run away from home due to various reasons. For instance,

  • Teens with conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder may easily develop chronic runaway behaviors to avoid being placed in institutions or just to upset their parents or guardians.
  • Teens with bipolar disorder may also frequently run away from home during their maniac episodes or when delusional. Generally, teens suffering from mental issues may always run away from home due to guilt when they see their parents, guardians, or siblings worried or complaining about their behaviors.
  • Sometimes they may not even be worried, but the teen may have the feeling that they are, thus choosing to run away not to subject them to further challenges.
  • The environment and surrounding significantly impact teens and may contribute to runaway behavior.
  • A closed and unsafe home environment may make teens run away. For instance, authoritative parents who use excessive corporal punishment may cause their teens to run away.
  • Also, when parents do not accept their teen’s sexual orientation and gender identity, teens may feel unwanted and resolve to run away from home.
  • Another challenge teens face that may make them run away is bullying at home or school.
  • Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse are some of the primary factors that cause runaway behavior among teens.
  • Poverty and constant moving from one place to another may also make teens run away from home.

Signs and Effects of Teen Runaway Behavior

Teens with runaway behaviors always exhibit certain characteristics. As a parent, teacher, or guardian, identifying these characteristics as early as possible is essential in helping your teen. Some of the signs of episodic and chronic runaway teen behaviors include;

  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Physical signs of abuse or neglect, such as wounds, long nails, unkempt hair, etc.
  • Increase in drug and substance abuse
  • Unstable and changing moods
  • The tremendous decline in grades and the general academic performance

Runaway teens are exposed to an array of harm and danger. Identifying runaway behaviors in your teen as early as possible will enable you to offer support and seek an appropriate remedy before your teen is subjected to various effects of runaway behaviors. The various effects of teen runaway behavior include;

Residential Treatment for Teens Who Run Away or Skip School

Key Healthcare has structured a long-term residential program for troubled teens between 13 and 17 years old. The program accepts adolescents from the US who, when enrolled, live in the facility in Malibu, California, for 30-45 days. The facility exhibits high levels of care since it has only 6 beds meaning that it accommodates 6 teens at a time. The teens going through this program receive 24/7 care and support.

Our CBT therapy is one of the best treatment modalities for teens with behavioral issues like:

Techniques Used in CBT

Cognitive Restructuring Techniques

Cognitive restructuring refers to the therapeutic process of determining and challenging teens’ irrational and negative thoughts, also known as cognitive distortions. CBT utilizes cognitive restructuring, which entails several techniques. One such technique is Socratic Questioning which involves asking the teen questions to assess the identified cognitive distortion. These questions make the teen question their thoughts.

The other technique under cognitive restructuring is de-catastrophizing, which involves asking specific questions that would raise doubts about the triggers. The rationale behind such questions is to reduce teen anxiety levels and indicate to the teen that every case scenario is manageable, even the worst ones.

Finally is putting the teen’s thoughts on trial. This role-play activity will have the teen taking the roles of a prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge at different times. The teen begins as a defense attorney defending their negative thoughts while the therapist acts as a prosecutor. The teen changes roles to act as a prosecutor presenting evidence against their negative thoughts, and, finally, as the judge who reviews the defense and the evidence before delivering a verdict. The verdict should be a rational thought by the teen.

Exposure Therapy Techniques

Exposure therapy is used to address phobias and fears. This technique involves the therapist slowly but gradually exposing the teen to the factors that provoke their anxiety or fear while guiding the teen on the best coping mechanisms. When done gradually, exposure therapy enables teens to develop more confidence in their coping abilities and feel less vulnerable.

Journaling

Journaling is a neat way to express oneself. As a CBT technique, it allows the teen to get in touch with their thoughts. The therapist helps by offering guidance, such as asking the teen to write down negative and positive thoughts they experienced between the sessions. Also important is the teen noting the new thoughts and behaviors they have developed since the last session. This helps the teen track their progress and development.

Relaxation Training Techniques

These practices include mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises that help bring the body’s relaxation response, characterized by reduced breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Since it is the direct opposite of stress response, it is essential in helping teens with runaway behaviors. Relaxation techniques help teens manage their stress and anxiety.

Behavioral Experiments

These are activities aimed at helping teens test their beliefs about themselves. Behavioral Experiments enable teens to get in touch and learn about themselves. These experiments are specific to various problems faced by the teen. For instance, a teen with social anxiety may be asked to find and talk to new people and maintain such new relationships.

Problem-Solving Techniques

This technique involves the teen identifying the problems they face in their lives and finding the best solutions to them. The technique employs activities such as brainstorming, goal-setting, and role-playing. These may help teens solve their relationship challenges and family dynamics, among other challenges.

How Key Healthcare Implement CBT For Teen Runaway Behavior

The first step in implementing CBT for teen runaway behavior is appointing a qualified therapist to help your teen. Our experienced and qualified therapist will build a strong therapeutic relationship with the teen to help them feel comfortable and ready to cooperate in identifying their cognitive distortions and finding the best treatment plan. Suppose your teen skips school frequently; they may be placed under the school refusal treatment program to undergo teen school refusal treatment available at Key Healthcare.

Common Challenges in CBT for Teen Runaway Behaviors

CBT has been found to have various limitations, such as

  • Over-exaggeration of thinking, which almost disqualifies emotions.
  • It may also exclude culture or ethnic origins, which are the core and part of an individual. There are also chances that the teen may be resisting therapy.
  • Family issues may also impact the teen’s commitment to the treatment.
  • If there is no program for relapse prevention, the work done will be as well as work not done.
  • Teens may also suffer from co-occurring disorders where inappropriate treatment plans are used. It is, therefore, important to do away with these limitations for a successful CBT.

Often, the teens feel that they are being blamed for their negative thoughts and behaviors. Whereas this may produce positive results, such as the need to change, it may also accelerate negative behaviors among teens. Besides, thinking is difficult to change as compared to emotions. It may be easy to identify the real problem, but very difficult to change or solve the problem.

Conclusion

Teen runaway or school-skipping behavior may be a normal practice among teens or a threat that needs to be dealt with. It is essential to be on the lookout for any signs of runaway behavior in your teen to be on the safe side. Once identified, it is a good idea to take your teen to a Residential Treatment Center where they will be taken through CBT for better results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can CBT be done remotely for teenagers who run away or skip school?

Yes. CBT may be done remotely for teenagers who run away or skip school.

What are the long-term effects of CBT for teen runaways?

Improved communication, greater management of stress, and improved coping skills are some of the long-term effects of CBT for teen runaways.

How can parents support their teens during CBT for runaway behavior?

Parents can offer support and encouragement, create a supportive home environment, and attend therapy sessions to help their teens during CBT.

How long does CBT take to produce results for teens who run away or skip school?

Whereas Key Healthcare Residential Treatment Center accommodates teens for a maximum of 45 days, the time it takes for CBT to produce results depends on the teen and the severity of their negative behaviors.

Can CBT be used in conjunction with medication for teen runaways?

Yes. There is no danger when CBT is used together with appropriate prescribed medication for teen runaway behaviors.