Parental Participation
When you enroll your teen at Oxbow Academy, you are enrolling yourself too. While your son is receiving treatment, you will be participating in learning programs. The purpose of treatment is not only to heal your son but to help your whole family heal as well.
You and your son will learn to change your negative behavior patterns.
You will learn new parenting skills during Parent Seminars and Family Therapy sessions. You will be able to visit your teen when his therapist considers it appropriate. You will also be able to keep track of your son's progress using an online Parent Portal at any time.
Parent Seminars
The Parent Seminars are usually held on campus at Oxbow Academy. This multi-day event gives you a chance to meet with your son’s therapist and teachers. You will also meet Program Directors and House Coordinators.
Parents are not required to take part in Parent Seminars but your participation is encouraged.
During this seminar, you will become better acquainted with Oxbow Academy. Key staff members are on hand to answer your questions and introduce themselves and other aspects of the program.
The most significant aspect of the seminar is the chance to meet with other parents. Many parents feel alone in their struggles. Meeting parents of teens facing similar issues can be transformative.
When you place your son at Oxbow Academy, you begin a therapeutic journey. But for many parents, this experience makes them feel isolated from their peers. One of the goals of the Parent Seminar is to provide parents like you with a support system.
You will have the opportunity to talk with and listen to parents who have similar issues. The experience provides you with encouragement and acceptance. It establishes a resource for healing yourself and your family.
Another goal is to provide parents with useful clinical practices. You will learn about these practices in a series of workshops and group discussions.
There is no extra charge for the workshops themselves.
You are responsible for your airfare and lodging. You will be notified of the seminar dates far in advance. This will allow you to take advantage of the best possible prices.
Weekly Family Therapy
You will take part in weekly family therapy sessions at least once a week. These sessions take place over the phone or online video conferencing services.
Family therapy is every bit as critical as individual counseling sessions. The therapy sessions will be an essential part of creating change at Oxbow Academy and at home.
During your sessions, you will learn the skills that you need to communicate with your son. You will learn to identify triggers and high-risk behaviors.
You will also work with your teen and his therapist to make a plan for your family's future. Together, you will help your son to prepare for a successful return home or to society in general.
Aside from weekly therapy sessions, crisis management sessions will be scheduled as needed. By special arrangement, you are also welcome to take part in family equine sessions during your visits to the campus.
Visits
You are welcome to visit your son and the Oxbow Academy Campus. Your son’s therapist will help to coordinate these visits, as well as your teen's visits home.
Family contact, including phone calls, is at the therapist’s discretion.
Please respect the therapist's judgment. This allows visits to be scheduled when they provide the most therapeutic benefit.
Parent Portal
You will also be able to keep track of your son online. There is a password-secured Internet site called the Parent Portal.
Using the Parent Portal, you will have access to information about your son. Only you will be able to access this information about your teen.
You will be able to check on your son’s therapeutic and academic progress. You will also be able to enjoy pictures from special events and daily living activities.
When you enroll, you will be able to set up this parent portal with our own username and password. You are encouraged to send questions or comments to the Oxbow staff via this site.
Families Helping Families
If you are interested in speaking with a family facing similar issues, please contact us. You will be connected with another family. The family may currently have a son in the program or have a son who completed the program.