Columbus Girls Academy is a therapeutic boarding school located near Columbus, Georgia, providing a safe haven for teen girls in Satellite Beach, Florida and from around the country; teens who have sought to fill a void in their lives through misbehavior, self-harm or negative peer influences.

After trying every option in their quest to help their daughter, families in Satellite Beach, Florida turn to the Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy. They have usually tried counseling, medication, relocation, mental health approaches, and social service interventions, and getting nowhere. Some have been told by loved ones that it would be best for their girl to get away from the negative influences in her life and away from home for awhile. So, they make the call for the help of a Christian boarding school for troubled teens, like the Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy.

The usual prospective resident from Satellite Beach, Florida was once moving toward a bright future; however, because of poor choices or an uncaring attitude, her future has been compromised. Where there was once excelling grades, there is academic failure. Where there were once athletic, artistic or musical abilities, there is disdain for what she held dear. The young girl who once sought her parents’ direction, love, approval and acceptance, now depends on her peers to fulfill those needs; she is willing to allow them to lead her down a negative path in life.

While changes usually happen in the moods of girls going through early adolescence, some precipitating factors can leave a void in a young woman’s life and cause extremely self-destructive and angry behaviors. These factors include:

• Loss of a parent or loved one
• Childhood abuse (known or hidden)
• Blended family
• An absent or abusive parent
• Bullying from others/Loss of friends
• Change in economic status or a change to a new home or school
• Chronic illness of a loved one
• Rape or intimidation
• Gang participation
• Excessive interest in pornography
• Negative peer group

As a result of such factors, girls from Satellite Beach, Florida who enroll in our boarding school typically exhibit attitudes and actions such as:

• Loss of a positive self-image
• Rebellion/Anger/Defiance
• Self Injurious Behaviors or Thoughts
• Deceitfulness/Cheating/Theft
• Manipulation of family and parents
• Promiscuity
• Self-Hatred

Many times, prior to choosing CGA, families in Satellite Beach, Florida have sought help from psychiatry and the prescription of medication. While such medications can help reduce the symptoms of problems, we have achieved great success in weening girls off of them once and for all. All but the most severe psychological issues are generally triggered by underlying emotional issues, which must be addressed and solved with a clear mind. Psychotropic drugs are reduced over time with the care of our physician and the prescribing psychiatrist.

Most girls who come to CGA in Columbus, Georgia, from Satellite Beach, Florida have been previously diagnosed with psychological disorders such as:

• Attention Difficulties
• ADD
• Being oppositional and defiant
• Mood disturbances
• Issues from adoption
• Sadness or Over Exuberance

Progression of a usual Teen Challenge resident from Satellite Beach, Florida:

When a student comes to Columbus Girls Academy it is usual for her to exhibit blame-shifting, avoidance of responsibility, and sometimes complete denial of wrongdoing. Soon after enrollment, the resident begins to feel some sorrow for the consequences of her previous actions. Essentially, she is “sorry” for being caught in her actions, but she has yet to begin a turning away from that behavior. This may be very similar to the roller coaster that the family has experienced at home — pledges to change, moments of peace, that cycle back to repeat and crisis. Sorrow does not change behavior, repentance does.

Many times, adolescents have been spared or delayed the trouble of the full-blown consequences for their bad decisions; sometimes by well-intending parents. So, as a result, teenagers are not always convinced of the need for change in their lives. However, the parent is certain of the need for intervention, because their girl is obviously headed for lifelong trouble if such actions persist. The Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy is an intervention program, hopefully intervening in troubled teenagers’ lives before they become an adult habitually living in a dangerous lifestyle.

Please call at (334)855-3695 or contact us using the online inquiry form to register students from Satellite Beach, Florida year-round.

Therapeutic boarding school near Columbus, Georgia, a Teen Challenge school for young girls in Satellite Beach, Florida and around the nation who are troubled by life-controlling issues. Visit the remainder of this website to learn more about Teen Challenge.

The Columbus Girls Academy Teen Challenge program isn’t in Satellite Beach, Florida, but it accepts girls from Satellite Beach, Florida.