With a staff-to-client ratio of four to one, Newport Academy’s treatment programs focus on each teen as an individual—and that includes gender. "There is a growing body of evidence in the field that suggests gender-specific treatment with teens supports better outcomes than traditional mixed-gender programs," says Kristin Wilson, National Director of Clinical Outreach at Newport Academy.
Wilson says gender-specific programs help eliminate distractions, giving each teen the opportunity to focus on increasing their self-esteem and positive emotional expression. Gender-specific settings also take into account the differences in treating males and females. "Boys and girls can have very different motivations for using high-risk behaviors as maladaptive coping mechanisms," says Wilson. "Adolescent girls tend to begin engaging in high-risk behaviors as a way to conform to social norms, while boys often begin as a way to rebel against those norms.”
Newport Academy programs are highly customized for each client and family, giving them tools to achieve better communication and healthier lifestyles. Gender-specific programming is one aspect of this customization. "Boys and girls process information differently, and thus respond differently to treatment,” said Wilson. “A gender-specific program treats the underlying causes and conditions by addressing the way teens’ brains work, as well as their individual needs and interests."
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