Hi Chuck,

Glad you are here looking for input.

Has your d16 been diagnosed with BPD or traits?

I went through an exhaustive search for an RTC for my daughter 3 years or so ago.  I did not choose Timberline Knolls or New Haven nor did I choose Solstice or Discovery. 

Is it a DBT environment that you are looking for or has she already been through an RTC DBT experience at TK?

DBT was done at Timberline but their whole approach was far too passive, especially letting my daughter sleep until 3 in the afternoon (!) if she chose not to get up on her own.

So we do want more, better DBT

Hi ulisa,

I used the NATSAP website.  All the programs there are accredited educational facilities so all credits transfer.  Being a year behind in school because you were in an RTC would be another obstacle to overcome for our kids... .wanted to head that off at the pass.

The NATSAP site gives a brief description of the program, location, and usually contact information or links to the different programs that carry their certification.

There are over 200 programs listed.  That is why I developed a search criteria... .to weed out the one's that didn't fit right off the bat.  Kind of like Chuck who does not want a co ed program.  I didn't either... that narrowed it down considerably. 

Just a word of warning on RTC's as I've been doing extensive research of late for my DD16.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT YOU CHOOSE!

There are numerous RTC's out there with allegations of abuse, lawsuits, and some very questionable tactics in how they deal with BPD adolescents and adults and other issues.    Do some googling on WWASP and you will find after the lawsuits and shut downs of those RTC programs many of those accused of abuse within that organization simply went out and started new facilities under new names.

I don't know much about New Haven but a power of attorney seems extreme and I can't think of a good reason any RTC would need that or want one if they intend to truly work closely with the family which I believe is ESSENTIAL.   I've found some very controversial info out there on things that I know may have worked for others like Positive Peer Culture therapy, that many debate is another form of a confrontational therapy which has shown limited or no true therapeutic value.  I would also be weary of any facility recommending transporter services.

Timberline mentioned above went through some very controversial allegations. NATSAP is questioned as simply a membership driven program that has been criticized by child abuse advocates and congress as well as the GAO for defending programs and simply letting anyone who pays their dues get listed as a NATSAP approved RTC. My findings in research has been that NATSAP does not evaluate, monitor, or enforce standards for child safety, educational quality or therapeutic effectiveness.  I would recommend looking at sites like ASTART Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic & Appropriate Use of Residential Treatment (astartforteens.org) and use your judgment.


It's easy to read the RTC websites and think all is well and good but having nearly dumped several tens of thousands into a facility highly recommended within this message board. I kept researching only to find their sister facility has been criticized and faced multiple lawsuits and abuse allegations.  I was glad I did more thorough research.  I can't say what could have or would have happened or if  my concern is misplaced but to me I'm not going to send my child to facilities with question marks or ties to anything that has been controversial in terms of abuse allegations.

There is also a fair amount of info on a site I found called HEAL-online.org with a watch list of programs much of which does appear biased and inflammatory but it's pretty frightening stuff.  Go out and read up on WWASP survivor sites and facebook pages and do your homework is all I can recommend as I've been doing a ton over the last month or two.

One facility I am currently looking into is Cottonwood de Tucson in Tucson, AZ and may be using an interventionist for my DD16 in hopes to get her treatment (co-occuring uBPD, PTSD, Anxiety and heroin abuse)there very soon - they have both adult facilities and a newer Sweetwater adolescent girls faciltiy and came highly recommended from a well recognized and esteemed therapist who has had a fair amount of experience with patients who went there.

Chuck, I had a friends daughter do a year at New Haven in 2009-2010.  She was diagnosed BPD and a couple of therapists said that she was 'the worse case' they had seen.  I know that when she left she was doing much better and from my knowledge is continuing to do 'ok' (I believe that she is now a junior at college).   Let me know if you would like more info as I will contact the mother for specifics.