Learning How to Trust the Process

Photo by James Hammond on Unsplash

When families struggle, we tend to think of ourselves as unique in a bad way, but we’re not. Many families find themselves right where you are now: confused, searching for healing, and reaching out for help. We spend hours online looking for a solution. We may even seek advice from caring friends whose opinions are unsupported by experience. But when it comes to placing your child in a therapeutic program, you want to be able to trust the program and the process absolutely. This is where I come in. My depth of knowledge and familiarity with the programs I recommend allows me to assure you that if I recommend it, it will be the right place for your child to start to heal.

The healing process takes time. It depends upon each diagnosis, each child, and each family. While the therapeutic placements I recommend are very specific to these three factors, the amount of time it takes to bring about positive change is also unique to each person. It cannot be rushed as it is dependent upon the attitude, effort, and commitment of the student. The amount of support they feel is also critical to moving things forward.

Learning to trust the process also takes time and patience. Because I am in frequent regular communication with my families, we gain and build trust early on making some of that time easier. As we talk about and address each of your concerns, some of your skepticism will lift.

The biggest part of trusting the process is learning to let go. Placing your child in a therapeutic boarding program (or even one that is close to home) can feel contrary to our instincts. As parents, we want to keep our loved ones close when the opposite is what’s indicated.

I understand your hesitation. Through open, regular, and honest communication I will provide guidance, recommend readings that are relevant to your situation, and when appropriate, encourage your participation in my Parents’ Group. Airing your thoughts in a supportive setting, listening, telling your own stories, and knowing that your concerns are being heard—and in many cases shared—can also bring more acceptance and trust to the process.

Trusting the process may not make it happen faster, but it will allay some of your anxieties and improve your experience and possibly your child’s experience, too. Together we will start to recognize and celebrate small incremental victories thus underscoring the feeling that you are doing the right thing.