About Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre
The Maples is mandated to provide residential, non-residential and outreach services to support youth, families and communities. Our main clients are troubled 12 to 17 year-old youth in the Province of British Columbia who have significant psychiatric and behavioural difficulties, as well as those youth found Not Criminally Responsible by Reason of a Mental Disorder or Unfit to Stand Trial.
The Maples works with youth and families from an attachment based perspective. Attachment is part of every person’s life – it is our bond with others, particularly those people we turn to when we are afraid or we need comfort. We all have attachment needs and when those needs are not being met or we are unable to verbally express what they are, we express them through our behaviour. Young people are more likely to do this than are adults. They may become aggressive or non-compliant, or they may simply withdraw.
Research has shown us that when we understand the attachment needs behind our children’s behaviour, we can respond in ways that help them sort out their feelings and needs so they are more clearly communicated. When we conduct an assessment of a youth, we hope to identify their unmet needs as well as any other factors that may be complicating the situation and preventing them from maximizing their potential. Once we have a clear understanding of the youth and their environment, we are better able to make recommendations to the family and to the community that will promote healthy development through the teen years and early adulthood.
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