Wolf Creek Academy understands that many young teens may harm themselves when suffering from troubling life issues. That’s why we want to help them heal from Cutting Disorder, a form of self-harm in which an adolescent will use sharp objects (such as knives or blades) to create surface cuts over their own body. While not suicidal, your child is intentionally causing self-harm, but likely be careful to make sure that his/her wounds are not seen – possibly using cutting (or Self-Mutilation) as a way to cope. Cutting may be considered its own mental illness, but is certainly a symptom of other issues, as well (such as Behavior Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety Disorder). If you are observing blood on clothing or towels, sharp objects (even bottle caps) among their possessions, unexplained wounds (“I was just being clumsy”), incongruously long pants or long-sleeved shirts in hot weather, and extended seclusion, your child may be suffering from this disorder. You may be stunned to discover your teen with this problem, since many relate it to a darker, “underworld” element rather than a “normal” middle-class family setting.
Wolf Creek Academy – Here to Help your Teen with Cutting Disorder.
Cutting characteristically begins in middle to late adolescence, and might be triggered by factors such as low self-worth, isolation from friends, even a feeling of lack of acknowledgment within the family. Long-term therapy can be valuable but your child must first understand the need for help, and want to make a change. Treatments can vary depending on the professionally identified cause for the behavior, but cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (which could be instructive about personal triggers, and establish successful coping skills) are most frequently used. Alternative outlets for expression, such as journaling, physical activity, time spent with good friends, can be quite effective. Without doubt, removing any kind of sharp objects can help curb immediate urges for self-harm.
A Hope and a Future for Every Child.
Wolf Creek Academy is a faith-based therapeutic boarding school. We instill character, integrity, responsibility and accountability, all while giving your struggling teenager the opportunity to achieve a quality education. Wolf Creek Academy’s family-model lifestyle offers a safe, nurturing environment that encourages teens to build positive relationships with authority figures as well as their peers.
Our professional staff works with students to teach them invaluable life lessons and independent skills that will be beneficial for their future. We educate the whole child from a Biblical worldview, assisting with their spiritual, physical and emotional development. We believe children should be built up, loved and nurtured with appropriate discipline, and that every student is unique with potential.
Counseling is provided for teens struggling with behavioral and emotional problems, and they meet with a licensed certified counselor at least once weekly. Daily group sessions address anger management issues and respect of authority, self-respect, or other relevant issues. The non-threatening atmosphere of this small group session allows them to learn from each other appropriate ways of managing their respective behavioral difficulties. Local psychiatric monitoring is available for students who require it.
Every student is dual-enrolled with the accredited Lighthouse Christian Academy, whose purpose is to support the mission of Wolf Creek. Whether a high achiever or moderately paced learner, children work at their own ability and appropriate level. We help students master curriculum knowledge via the Accelerated Christian Education system, utilizing daily classroom type settings, and providing any additional tutoring needed. Our therapeutic and nurturing environment is a safeguard for success. Students thrive while having the opportunity to advance at their own pace; most often an accelerated pace which boosts self-respect, repairs self-confidence and promotes security for a successful future. Our program is designed to meet the learning needs of the individual child and each one is rewarded for their efforts.
So many teens have lost sight of a clear and positive future, but we see so many reach for their highest potential when given the tools and education to do so. Please call Wolf Creek Academy at (877) 477-9653 if you have tried everything, and are ready to see your problem child develop into a successful young adult.
