Expert: Dan - 11/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: my son was recently excused of take someone wallet on the bus he was taking into custody and charged with theft by taking. My question is I'm trying as a parent to get him out of school this is his last year are there any type of group home i can send him to so he can get himself together and archive the goal of getting out of school. i can not afford and i hoping there is some type of program for situation like this. PLEASE HELP

ANSWER: Hi,
How old is he and what state? I think I have an idea, but I am worried about his recent action. Has he talked to any doctor about such? Is he depressed? Is the school not willing to help him? What is his grade level? No drug history, right? Besides this, any other actions I need to know about. Please ask follow ups

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He is 18yrs old no drugs problems and we live in Atlanta Ga. No he does not seem depressed at all he is in the 12th grade. Can you please tell me of some type of boys program like a place for youth having a rough time were he can spend sometime at with some counselor.

Answer
Hi,
I talked to a mental health professional who I am somewhat friendly with down there. He told me to recommend this:

Outward Bound program in North Carolina. http://www.outwardbound.org/

As his age is 18, I am not sure if he can go to such. He said and I agree with him, that "boot camps usually aren't good".

Two other people he recommends are:

Dr. Erin Floyd and Dr. Karen Dean

Those two I guess are in the Lawrenceville area. I can give you their number if you want. I would recommend him, however he is "filled" with clients for right now.

On a side note for his educational studies, I may recommend you to look into distance education. It's cheaper and can work well. But, I am worried about his mental health and his actions you speak of.

Please ask follow ups



The above are third party people and programs.