Programs
Types of Therapeutic Programs
Not all programs are the same — and the differences matter enormously. The right program depends on age, diagnosis, personality, and where your loved one is in their treatment journey. This is Dr. Cohen’s job to figure out. What follows is a plain-language overview so you understand the landscape.
Outdoor Behavioral Health Programs
The most intensive option outside of a locked hospital unit. Nature-based, immersive, 8–12 weeks. Individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy weekly. Research-backed effectiveness across thousands of participants.
Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs)
24-hour supervised care in a structured clinical setting. Individual, group, and family therapy. Psychiatric support. Fully accredited academics for pre-adolescents and adolescents. 3–24 months. Often the second step after Outdoor Behavioral Health.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools (TBSs)
Structured academics plus ongoing therapy. More independence than Residential Treatment Centers. Semester or trimester enrollment. Individual, group, and family therapy with psychiatry. For pre-adolescents and adolescents.
Transitional Living Programs
For young adults (18–30). Life skills, independence building, mentorship. Less therapy-intensive. Flexible timelines. Bridges the gap between treatment and real life.
| Outdoor Behavioral Health | Residential Treatment | Therapeutic Boarding | Transitional Living | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oversight | Highest (outside hospital) | High | Moderate | Low |
| Duration | 8–12 weeks | 3–24 months | Semester/trimester | Variable |
| Age groups | All three | All three | Pre-teen & teen | Young adults |
| Individual therapy | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Varies |
| Academics | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Life skills focus | — | — | — | ✓ |
It Is More Nuanced Than It Looks
Within each category, programs vary significantly. Some Residential Treatment Centers closely resemble Therapeutic Boarding Schools. Others are highly specialized — built around specific diagnoses, age ranges, or gender. Dr. Cohen does not just identify the right category — he identifies the right program within that category for your loved one specifically.