Date of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Department
Moore School of Business
Director of Thesis
Dr. Mark Weist
Second Reader
Dr. Katherine Perkins
Abstract
Residential treatment for children and adolescents has evolved greatly. Today, a therapeutic individualized treatment approach is standard. Despite past and present improvements in care, this paper examines the persistent challenges faced by residential treatment centers (RTCs) serving youth with mental health issues. This paper argues that residential treatment, while sometimes necessary, has the potential to cause more harm than good due to systemic issues like overdiagnosis, inappropriate medication, and the troubled teen industry’s (TTI) profit-focused approach.
First Page
1
Last Page
45
Recommended Citation
Finch, Virginia B., "Between Healing and Harm: An Analysis of Residential Treatment Centers for Youth" (2025). Senior Theses. 766.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/senior_theses/766
Rights
© 2025, Virginia B. Finch
Included in
Applied Behavior Analysis Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons