NEWS RELEASE

For Release: July 19, 2024

Contact: Maddy Schoap, Public Affairs Director, 301-986-8770, maddy@natsap.org

NATSAP Official Response to "Teen Torture, Inc." Documentary

Bowie, MD— NATSAP is aware of the recently aired Max Original documentary "Teen Torture, Inc." that highlights disturbing accounts within the “troubled teen” industry. We extend our deepest sympathies to the courageous survivors and whistleblowers featured in the series. Their stories are critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of all adolescents and young adults in therapeutic settings.

NATSAP is appalled that these instances of abuse occurred, they stand in direct opposition to our mission. This is precisely the reason the Association was created–to eliminate mistreatment and ensure the highest standards of care. Our member programs adhere to stringent ethical guidelines and best practices, staffed by licensed mental health professionals, social workers, and therapists dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care. For many families, NATSAP members provide safety-net treatment alternatives to avoid dire outcomes such as long-term hospitalization, jail, homelessness, or death.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that any residential program for youth is a healing, safe, and clinically appropriate space that families can rely on in times of crisis. NATSAP programs require state licenses, national accreditation, participation in research, and outcomes studies. The Association supports the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (S.1531 / H.R. 2955) bill and advocates for higher standards to state and federal agencies, aiming for these standards to apply across the board, whether in private or public programs, NATSAP member or not. NATSAP continuously seeks to improve the field through response, research, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders to foster environments that support positive change and healing for young individuals struggling with complex issues.

It is disheartening to see documentaries, like "Teen Torture, Inc.," prioritize sensationalism over balanced reporting and fail to highlight the lives that have been saved, and the healing that has taken place in safe environments that provide clinically sound interventions. NATSAP encourages balanced reporting to avoid the risk of discouraging families from seeking the help their children desperately need. NATSAP advises viewers to approach such documentaries with critical thinking and to seek out comprehensive information when considering therapeutic programs. The Association remains dedicated to supporting families and youth through patient-centered care, evidence-based practices, ethical standards, and continuous improvement in the field of therapeutic treatment. For further information on our programs and standards, please visit NATSAP's official website.