The Role of Family in Teen Growth and Development

Family involvement in a child’s development provides essential emotional support and stability, helping teens navigate challenges more effectively. Family members can assist with daily tasks, help identify triggers and warning signs, and contribute to a structured routine.

Additionally, by working together, families can learn healthy coping strategies, improve communication and resolve conflicts in a supportive environment. This also helps the teenager see and feel that they are not alone in what can feel like a lonely time.

Engaging the family in their child’s treatment not only benefits the teenager, but strengthens the entire family unit. It fosters a greater understanding and empathy among family members, leading to stronger and more positive relationships.

This holistic approach ensures that the skills and insights gained are reinforced at home, increasing the likelihood of lasting change.

Cherokee Creek Boys School: A Family-Focused Approach to Healing

Cherokee Creek Boys School (CCBS) understands the profound impact that family involvement has on a teen’s success. Our mission is to “challenge boys and their families to discover what is real and true about themselves and the world around them.”

Rather than just treating the student as an individual, CCBS incorporates a robust family component that fosters deep connections, education, and healing.

The CCBS Family Center is not a physical location but an integral part of the program that actively engages and supports families throughout their child’s journey at the school.

Family Engagement at Cherokee Creek

CCBS offers various programs to ensure parents, siblings and extended family members are actively involved in their child’s healing process:

Quarterly Family Seminars

Families gather near campus for two days of parent education, family therapy and community-building. These seminars include discussions on CCBS’s character-development curriculum, the Medicine Wheel, and other essential topics such as boundary-setting, adolescent development and technology use.

Family Adventures & Treks

Multi-day outdoor experiences designed to reconnect families through adventure and nature. These treks provide a break from daily distractions, offer fun new experiences and allow families to rebuild relationships in a meaningful way.

On- and Off-Campus Experiences

Families are encouraged to participate in events such as the annual Thanksgiving celebration, parent-student soccer games and even international travel adventures like the Family Trip to Italy or the Academic Trip to Washington, D.C.

Retreats and Workshops

CCBS offers specialized retreats for parents, including Mama Bear Retreats and Father Retreats, as well as family Equine Therapy sessions (aka “Cowboy School”).

Transition Services After Graduation

As part of our program, students and families receive transition support after graduation, ensuring the progress made at CCBS continues beyond the program.

The goal at Cherokee Creek is to create a parallel experience between the student and their family, fostering a common language and understanding that supports the healing and growth process.

Families work together to define family goals, values, and mission statements as part of the therapeutic process. As Richard Bach wisely stated, “The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.”

“Research shows that when families are engaged in a child’s education, school drop-out rates decrease and grades improve.”

Your Family’s Therapeutic Journey at Cherokee Creek

Family involvement is not just a beneficial addition to a teen’s development … it is a crucial component of their healing journey.

Cherokee Creek Boys School exemplifies how integrating family support into therapeutic programs leads to better outcomes for both teens and their loved ones. By engaging in therapy together, families can build stronger relationships, improve communication and create a stable, nurturing environment that supports long-term mental well-being.

Ready to take the next step in your teen’s healing journey? Click here to check out Cherokee Creek Boys School and see how we support families in building stronger connections and guiding their teens toward growth and success.