We are breaking our silence, families deserve to know there is hope.

Breaking Code Silence and Unsilenced have utilized online discussion boards such as Reddit to accuse and mischaracterize programs, individuals and the therapeutic field at large of maltreatment. This wide mischaracterization paints all programs as bad or abusive.

Sadly, many families are not accessing treatment as a result of these forums.

To rally public action, focus has been placed on accusations which draw the most attention. This is a form of sensationalized or clickbait content. These often shocking grievances are not indicative of regulated and relationship focused therapeutic programs.

As is common with stigmatic media, the community boards which harvest allegations do not allow open dialogue to address the issues nor share positive stories. Specifically, the community boards only allow negative remarks against youth treatment facilities.

Reddit-rules
Reddit-rules
Reddit-rules
Reddit-rules

Sensationalized headlines pull readers into an ‘information cocoon’ of one-sided information regarding youth treatment facilities. By fixating on the instances where individuals felt abandoned, we lose focus of the vast majority of youth whose experience helped them reconnect with their family and themselves.

Why does this matter?

When we experience stress, our decision making ability is significantly impaired. Not only is it harder to make decisions in crisis scenarios–we actually have less accurate perceptions of our processing.

Can you imagine the stress induced when your child is in a mental or behavioral health crisis, you have exhausted your community resources, and sensationalized media sources lead you to believe there are no safe therapeutic programs for your child?


Sound decisions need a wider perspective than the rabbit holes of anonymous community boards.

If the only easily accessible information is weighted with negative reviews or comments from individuals with no personal experience in youth treatment programs– how will families know that our therapeutic approach is safe, regulated, relational and successful?

Much of the negativity portrayed in news headlines or shared through social media feeds are experiences of individuals who, decades ago, were in unregulated, behavioral modification programs.

Clinical modalities and therapeutic approaches are constantly evolving and improving to better help children and families in need.

Our program focuses on building healthy connections through relational therapy to promote long-lasting change.

Familiarize yourself with the latest facts about today’s adolescent treatment programs:

Did You Know DSS
Relational Therapy DSS
Safety First DSS

Today, families have access to supportive, safe, and nurturing therapeutic environments.

You’re not alone. There is hope.

WE'RE HERE TO HELP

Relationship based programs rely on the quality of our relationships as the primary basis of change.

Reddit and other social media platforms aren’t credible sources of information. Why?

Reddit communities and social media algorithms implement strategic rules and formatting. These rules mean accredited youth treatment facilities which engage in regulated, trauma-informed and relational therapy have been unable to share their stories in “community” discussion.

We know it can be heartrending to send a reluctant teen to get the help they need. We want families to know that we are dedicated to supporting and nurturing youth in a safe, therapeutic environment.

DSS is Safer Than Public Schools

All programs dealing with treatment of serious mental illness will have occasional incidents, but these are rare. Our family of programs have helped over 12,000 families with less than 0.5% rate of hospitalization

 

See: Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety

Families are in good hands at Seven Stars

Our staff consists of youth-rights advocates who are passionate about serving families in need. We employ trauma-sensitive modalities and cater our approach to fit each individuals’ needs.

We are part of an organization with over half of ownership belonging to licensed therapists and educators dedicated to providing outstanding therapeutic care and service to families in crisis.

One sided, biased media portrayal has negatively impacted public perception of our clinically proven therapeutic models.

This creates fear for families, preventing them from getting the help they need.

Our programs have internal risk management systems in addition to state-licensing surveys, quality accreditation, and frequent on-site visits with our referral sources.

Psychological Distress Over Time

On average, youth receiving mental health interventions report a 40% improvement in their symptoms upon program completion.Parents and guardians report a 55% average symptomatic improvement for their child. Source

Scores within the clinical range indicate levels of distress or impaired functioning that suggest clinical referral and treatment. Scores below the clinical range are considered populace ‘normal’. Source

For those who have experienced trauma, we wholeheartedly continue to acknowledge and hold space for you.

Our team is dedicated to the perpetual process of improving our field through:

– continually educating ourselves and others on trauma-informed treatment.
– sharing clinical expertise with other programs to improve best practices.
– actively taking part in national conferences to learn from others.
– consistently advancing regulation of youth therapy programs.

We want to join the conversation by disrupting the one-sided narrative of negative information.
Our hope is to shed light on the safe practices and beneficial work our staff have dedicated their lives to.

Let us help You

Is your child struggling?

Our programs can help.

Let us help You