A Parent’s Path to Finding a Residential Treatment Center

I wished I had a guide, personal recommendations, or other trustworthy objective information when I was desperately searching for information about residential treatment centers. I needed a resource that could have helped me sift through the options, understand the terminology, and identify the truly supportive RTC environments from the bad ones. 

So after experiencing this deep need and finding that it was NOT available, I created it here after a successful placement of my teen and recovery period. 

The Challenging Teenage Years

For most parents, they bring a mix of pride and new challenges. For me, as a single senior adoptive parent of two wonderful girls, those years brought a tidal wave of buried trauma crashing to the surface. 

My daughters, both survivors of early childhood adversity related to their biological parents’ struggles with meth addiction, suddenly needed far more support than weekly therapy could provide. Extreme behaviors, deep-seated anxieties – it felt like we were navigating a minefield, and I desperately needed a map.

As I began to explore residential treatment centers (RTCs), hoping to find the intensive help my girls needed, I was quickly overwhelmed. 

The large, institutional facilities felt cold, sterile, and carried an unwanted stigma. That didn’t feel right for my daughters. 

Then, I stumbled upon terrible stories of the “troubled teen industry” – the widely publicized accounts of abusive and neglectful RTCs sent a chill down my spine. The thought of my vulnerable girls ending up in such a place was terrifying.

It was in this desperate search for safe and effective care that the idea for a topical directory site for parents and others about the teen residential treatment industry began.

I realized that other parents must be facing the same daunting task, navigating a complex landscape with limited reliable information. Each RTC had a PR hook or angle it seemed, which made it harder to uncover what it was really like for a teen to be there.  

Fortunately, after countless hours of research and study, I did find a residential treatment center that proved to be a lifeline for my family – a place where my girls could heal and grow. I learned that there are good RTCs out there, but finding them can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

My hope is that this site can be that guide for you. I want to share the information I painstakingly gathered, the insights I gained, to help you navigate this challenging journey. If I can empower just one parent to make an informed decision, to find a safe and nurturing environment for their teen, and to prevent even one child from experiencing the trauma of an abusive or neglectful facility, then every moment I’ve poured into this residential treatment guide will be worthwhile.

About the Founder: Cheryl Nunn

Cheryl Nunn is the founder of residentialtreatmentcenter.org, a comprehensive directory, and guide book site about the residential treatment industry. 

Dedication, this site’s purpose is to help parents navigate the complex world of residential treatment.

As a single senior adoptive parent, Cheryl’s journey into this topic was deeply personal. Facing the surfacing trauma and behavioral challenges of her two teenage daughters, both of whom experienced early adversity, 

Cheryl embarked on an extensive search for appropriate support. This firsthand experience highlighted the critical need for clear, reliable information and a way to differentiate between the various types of RTC facilities available.

Drawing on her analytical skills honed as a former CEO of a successful publishing company, where she focused on growth and operational excellence, Cheryl approached the research process with rigor and determination. 

Her background in understanding complex systems and the importance of due diligence proved invaluable in evaluating the landscape of residential treatment options.

Driven by a commitment to provide practical and trustworthy guidance, Cheryl immersed herself in understanding the nuances of trauma-informed care, therapeutic modalities, and the critical factors that contribute to a positive and ethical residential treatment experience. 

Her goal is to empower parents with the knowledge she wishes she had possessed at the beginning of her search, enabling them to confidently identify safe, effective, and nurturing environments for their daughters.

Cheryl’s dedication to this mission stems from a profound desire to help other families avoid the pitfalls and heartaches she encountered. 

She believes that by sharing her research and insights, she can illuminate the path for parents seeking the best possible care for their teens, ultimately fostering healing and brighter futures.

Founder & Managing Editor Cheryl Nunn Biography

Cheryl brings a wealth of experience to her role as a professional working as an
AI/MBA Business Consultant. With a successful career as a CEO in the
publishing industry, she has a deep understanding of the challenges businesses
face in today’s dynamic environment. Cheryl’s passion for helping others
succeed led her to pursue extensive education in Artificial Intelligence at
Professor Scott Galloway’s Section School. 

As a visionary leader, Cheryl Nunn saw the need and then conceived and established the MBA Standards Board, a pivotal initiative that redefined industry benchmarks for MBAs providing requirements for continuing education and ethical conduct.

Holding a recent mini MBA in AI & Marketing. As she specializes in business operations and marketing. Leveraging AI to optimize their operations and marketing strategies. Her expertise enables her to implement AI solutions that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and increase demand. Cheryl is dedicated to empowering businesses to achieve sustainable growth and success. See her LinkedIn Profile and Newsletters for more information.