The Whole Truth

Very few troubled teens enrolled in a therapeutic boarding school have an easy time being honest. Even those who pride themselves in not telling lies (and there are several of them) don't always recognize lies of omission. We believe that healing starts with telling the truth---the whole truth---a level of honesty that defines character and integrity. Recently a struggling teen girl, who has improved her behavior and her honesty since arriving a year ago, was caught passing notes with a boy in violation of school rules. In effect, a dishonesty. Her lapse isn't unusual, and she has since gotten back on track. When she received another note from the boy, she promptly turmed it over to staff. "But did you read it first?" asked one of her peers. She had. It hadn't occurred to her not to. In the discussion that ensued, she became aware of a new level of honesty that can bring her real healing.