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

After trying every option in their search to help their girl, families in Seffner, Florida turn to the Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy. They have usually tried relocation, counseling, and medication, and getting nowhere. Some have been told by counselors that it would be a good idea for their girl to get away from home for awhile and from negative influences and peers. So, they seek the help of a therapeutic boarding school, like the Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy.

The usual prospective resident from Seffner, Florida was once moving toward a bright future; however, because of poor choices or an uncaring attitude, her life may end up far different from what everyone hoped for. Where there was once excelling grades, there are failing grades. Where there were once athletic, artistic or musical abilities, there is disdain for what she held dear. The young woman who once looked to her parents for direction, love, approval and acceptance, now has sifted to her peers to fulfill those needs; she is willing to follow them down an alternate and dangerous path in life.

While shifts usually happen in the attitudes 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:

• Death of a parent or loved one
• Childhood abuse (known or hidden)
• Family split
• A difficult or especially critical parent
• Bullying from others/Loss of friends
• Change in economic status or a move to a new home or school
• Medical issues with a loved one
• Physical invasion or mental intimidation
• Gang membership
• Excessive interest in pornography
• Negative peer group

As a result of such factors, girls from Seffner, Florida who register for our the Teen Challenge program typically demonstrate issues and behaviors 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
• Dangerous Behavior
• Self-Hatred

Often, prior to selecting CGA, families in Seffner, Florida have sought help from psychiatry and the use of medication. While such medications can help reduce the symptoms of deeper issues, we have found great success in helping girls get off of them once and for all. All but the most severe psychological issues are generally precipitated by deeper emotional issues, which must be dealt with having a clear mind. Psychotropic drugs are reduced over time with the supervision of our physician and the prescribing psychiatrist.

Most girls who come to CGA in Columbus, Georgia, from Seffner, Florida have been previously diagnosed with behavioral disorders like:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Difficulty with Distractions in a Classroom Setting
• Being oppositional and defiant
• Mood disturbances
• Issues from adoption
• Sadness or Over Exuberance

Progression of a usual Teen Challenge student from Seffner, FL:

When a young woman enrolls in 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 student begins to experience some sorrow for the consequences of her prior actions. Essentially, she is sad for being caught in her actions, but she has yet to experience a turning away from that behavior. This may be very similar to the roller coaster that the family has experienced at home — promises to be different, moments of peace, that cycle back to repeat and crisis. Sorrow does not change behavior, repentance does.

Often, teenagers 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, teens are not always confident of the need for change in their lives. However, the parent is certain of the need for intervention, because their daughter is obviously headed for disaster if such actions persist. The Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy is an intervention program, hopefully helping make a change in troubled adolescents’ lives before they go on with life habitually living in a dangerous lifestyle.

We can be reached at (334)855-3695 or contact us using the online inquiry form to register girls from Seffner, Florida year-round.

Therapeutic boarding school near Columbus, Georgia, a Teen Challenge school for teenage girls in Seffner, Florida and around the country who are struggling with life-controlling issues. Call us now to learn more about Teen Challenge.

The Columbus Girls Academy Teen Challenge program isn’t in Seffner, Florida, but it accepts young women from Seffner, Florida.