FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are researching therapeutic placement for the first time, you probably have a lot of questions — and some of them may feel uncomfortable to ask. That is okay. Here are the ones that come up most often.

About the Programs

The answer depends on the type of program. At Outdoor Behavioral Health programs, phone calls are often difficult because getting a signal in remote areas is not always possible. However, you will speak with their therapist each week. At Residential Treatment Centers, Therapeutic Boarding Schools, and Transitional Living programs, you can speak with your loved one regularly, and most programs have a minimum of weekly virtual appointments.

Individual therapy hours range from 1–3 hours per week. Group therapy ranges from 1–3 hours per day, two or three days per week. Family therapy takes place weekly for 1–1.5 hours.

Outdoor Behavioral Health programs last between 8–12 weeks. Residential Treatment Centers last between 3 and 24 months. Therapeutic Boarding Schools often operate on a semester or trimester schedule. Transitional Living is highly variable — these programs are for young adults, not children or adolescents.

All programs have access to a psychiatrist. Some psychiatrists are program employees, and some are in private practice but work with a program on certain days. Psychiatric evaluation and medication management are standard components of care.

No. Your loved one will be in a program and group that works with people facing similar challenges and needs. Most programs specifically exclude participants with a history of dangerous behavior.

Absolutely not. Therapeutic programs are designed to be relationally based and positively focused. Parents should not use a program as a threat or a form of punishment. Going to a program is an extraordinary opportunity for those who need it — one that can be seen as a gift.

“It is Dr. Cohen’s job to differentiate good programs from those that are not as good — using resources and relationships that go far beyond what families researching online would find.”

About Safety and Program Quality

This is one of the most important questions a family can ask. Dr. Cohen only refers to accredited programs, has personally visited programs across more than 20 states and internationally, and maintains active professional relationships in the field. He does not accept referral fees or commissions. Fortunately, Dr. Cohen has never worked with a family that reported they suffered at the hands of an abuser at the program they attended.

No. Although some Outdoor Behavioral Health programs work with people who have a primary substance abuse diagnosis, many only accept participants with a primary mental health diagnosis and specifically exclude substance abuse as the presenting issue. Dr. Cohen matches the program to the individual.

No Referral Fees — Ever

Dr. Cohen does not accept referral fees, commissions, or any form of compensation from programs. His recommendations are based entirely on clinical judgment.

About the Match

Not necessarily. Programs differ significantly in age range, gender, diagnosis, therapeutic approach, and clinical philosophy. Dr. Cohen’s job is to understand your loved one’s specific needs and find the program that fits them — not to default to a familiar name.

Yes, these programs work, and there is research showing outcome data from therapeutic treatment programs. When someone says a program “did not help at all,” that usually means there were factors that limited its usefulness — a poor match, family dynamics that worked against the process, or a participant who was not ready to engage. Dr. Cohen works to minimize those risks through careful clinical matching from the start.

No. Dr. Cohen does not accept referral fees, commissions, or any form of compensation from programs. His recommendations are based entirely on his clinical judgment and knowledge of each program.

About Working with Dr. Cohen

Yes. Dr. Joshua Cohen is a licensed psychologist in the State of Maryland (License #3844). He also operates a separate clinical practice, Cohen Psychological Health Providers, in Rockville, Maryland.

No. You can contact Dr. Cohen directly. Most families reach out on their own, without a referral from another provider.

That is a completely normal and reasonable place to be. Many families come to this process unsure, overwhelmed, or even feeling conflicted. Dr. Cohen is here to provide clarity, not pressure. If placement is not the right fit, he will tell you. And if it is, he will guide you through each step with care and honesty.

That is a common and understandable concern. Sometimes the first placement is not the right fit, or the individual was not ready to engage. Dr. Cohen can help you assess what didn’t work, clarify current needs, and develop a more effective strategy for moving forward. He brings a fresh, informed perspective — not judgment.

Still have questions?

The best next step is a conversation — no pressure, no commitment.

Contact Dr. Cohen