The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

  Have you noticed your teen becoming more withdrawn? Isolating themselves to their bedrooms or shutting down from family functions? A growing body of   research   shows that young people are more likely to feel lonely than older adults. Loneliness is hard  especially for teens , it can affect them in several ways. Teenagers that are lonely experience a higher rate of  stress , depression and having a  negative outlook on their life . Some may turn to  substance use  (drugs, drinking or vaping) to relieve their feelings of sadness and hopelessness. This generation of technology — social media, texting, messaging and other forms of digital communication has left our young people savvy with their keypad, however lacking with “in-real-life” skills. This can also lead to loneliness, as they are likely sitting in their room communicating on a screen rather than  face-to-face . 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Beat Loneliness It’s important to remember, yo...

The teenage years can be a difficult time filled with changes and challenges for both teens and parents. If your teen is struggling, it’s not to say they won’t make any gains from seeing a therapist but imagine the leaps they could jump if you as a parent work on your relationship with them and join them in therapy? It may seem like an impossible task since many  adolescents refuse to attend counseling , however sometimes if a  parent is willing to admit  they need to work on their issues too — it could encourage your teen to get started. How does family therapy work? During family therapy sessions, you’ll work with a therapist to examine how one family member’s  behaviors affect them  and their relationships with other family members. To help families work together toward a healthier home life, family therapists help family members develop new ways to communicate, improve family interactions, and  navigate challenging situations  as a team. What are t...

Teen smoking might begin innocently, but it can become a long-term problem. In fact, most adult smokers started smoking as teens. In order to dissuade your teen from smoking or even starting this habit, first you have to examine why young people begin smoking. Why do teens smoke cigarettes?  Desire to fit in with friends. Peer pressure – bonding.  Monkey see, monkey do. Copying their older siblings or  parents .  It’s on the screens! Imitating actors or models with appealing images in the movies, video games or social media.  They want to assert their independence.  They believe they appear to be more sophisticated or grown-up. Simple curiosity. Stopping or preventing your teen from smoking It is not always possible for parents to prevent their child or teen from trying cigarettes, but the use of various strategies can reduce the likelihood of a teen wanting to smoke and doing so  regularly . 1. Set a good example.   Teen smoking is more comm...

  If you have watched the Netflix docuseries,   “ The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping , ” it can be chilling and disturbing to believe that this type of harm, torture and abuse of kids could happen in the United States — however sadly it did. The founder of P.U.R.E.™, Sue Scheff, was a  major factor  in the closure of these horrific programs by taking them to trial in 2004 and exposing their  neglect and abuse  to children, as well as  fraud and deceit  to the parents. She was the first one to bring this giant corporation to a  jury trial and WIN . Fortunately for parents today, we have learned so much since the  closure of the WWASP  ( World Wide Association of Specialty Programs ) which the  Academy of Ivy Ridge  was affiliated with. Ivy Ridge was one of nearly 22 programs that WWASP ran that not only enticed ( conned ) parents with their  slick marketing  and sales people, they also ran outrageous  c...

  Searching for  schools for troubled teens online  can be tedious and confusing. If this is your first time searching for therapeutic boarding schools for your troubled teenager, learning the terminology will be one of your first lessons. 5 Tips to Untangle the Troubled Teen Industry Terminology “ My teen needs a Military school to teach them a lesson!”  WRONG. Military schools  are a privilege and honor to attend, they are not for defiant, drug-using, depressed, or other behavioral issues students. They do   not   provide mental health services – and if your teen is using drugs, drinking, or vaping now – by attending an open campus, it is likely s/he will consider the use again. However, this time when he is caught (typically three strike you are out) and the parents will forfeit their tuition. This is the same for any of the behavioral issues they are asked to leave or expelled for – you will be risking your tuition as well as  setting your ch...