New Directions Parents (from Tampa, 2012)

We are the parents of a very challenging 18-year-old girl.  She has tried five high schools and an equal number of residential treatment centers for diagnosed bipolar, borderline, and histrionic personality disorder issues.  She arrived at New Directions for Young Adults as one of the younger students with great trepidation on our part.  We could not be happier with New Directions and every single staff person there.

This child breaks the mold.  Traditional techniques and expectations consistently backfire.  Somehow, despite her antics and misbehavior, the program has managed to place a loose, but effective, safety net around this girl, and, perhaps, most importantly, they have been incredibly willing to try different approaches and modify the program rules to accommodate her unique personality and issues.  In her four months with the program, every staff person, and particularly, Dr. Rubin, has been taxed to the max, and yet none have lost their cool with her or with us. Throwing in the towel, it seems, has never been an option. Patience and creative thought remain their long suit, as well as a willingness to receive input from our daughter’s local therapist and educational consultant.

All of our questions, concerns, and fears have been addressed head-on with directness, thoughtfulness, and insight.  Lesser therapeutic environments would have probably kicked her to the curb by now.  With the support of New Directions, she is consistently taking her medications, has a full-time job for the first time in her young life, and may actually learn to manage her finances effectively over time.  We know she is not out of the woods, but have a level of hope and pride in her accomplishments that we never would have thought possible.

Thank you, Dr. Rubin and the entire NDFYA Staff!