Paris Hilton and The Truth About Troubled Youth Programs

Paris Hilton, the Y2K reality TV star, hotel heiress, and often referred to as the original “social media influencer,” is now a prominent advocate speaking out against youth abuse in the “troubled teen industry”. 

The troubled teen industry refers to a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar sector of residential treatment for youth with substance abuse and mental health disorders. This industry faces numerous allegations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse against teens, including forced medication, solitary confinement, verbal degradation, and use of physical restraints.  

After the release of her Youtube documentary in 2020, “This is Paris,” which highlighted her struggles at Provo Canyon School in Utah, Hilton has become a leader in the fight against the troubled teen industry, even testifying n front of Congress to push for more oversight and federal regulation of youth treatment facilities [1]. 

What Are Troubled Youth Programs? 

The “troubled teen industry, is a large, highly unregulated network of private treatment programs for youth. There are approximately 120,000 to 200,000 youth placed annually in various residential programs across the US (many of them placed by the foster care, juvenile detention, or child welfare system). And over 50,000 of them are privately placed by parents. 

These programs claim to help youth with mental health, addiction, and emotional issues. And while some of them do, many of these programs have a long history of abuse, neglect, and even death. 

The industry is estimated to bring in nearly $23 billion annually through federal funds, and many large for-profit companies generate millions in revenue by charging up to $800 per day per kid. Unfortunately, the opportunity for massive profits has attracted many bad actors to the industry, increasing the need for federal regulation, oversight, and transparency [2]. 

A Broad Term That Includes Many Types of Facilities 

Troubled youth programs include a range of treatment programs that may differ based on their approach and structure. Some are associated with more allegations of abuse than others, and include [3]: 

• Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) are long-term facilities providing intensive therapy for mental health, addiction, and behavioral disorders. They aim to provide a structured, therapeutic environment, often combining individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. Many RTCs are licensed, accredited, and follow strict regulations. 
• Drug Rehab for teens may be standalone (detox and inpatient only for substance abuse) or as part of an RTC. These are also often more regulated and follow stricter regulations than other forms of troubled teen programs.
• Therapeutic Boarding Schools are long-term programs combining academic education with therapeutic treatment. They are designed for teens who need both school and behavioral support. These schools often have licensed therapists, evidence-based treatments, and focus on holistic healing; however, due to low levels of federal oversight and private funding, it’s not always easy to ensure they follow proper protocols. 
• Wilderness programs use outdoor survival skills, nature encounters, and discipline to teach teens teamwork, self-respect, and resilience. They have been heavily criticized for their stories of physical abuse, focus on punishment, and physical endurance rather than therapeutic intervention. Many of these camps are located in remote locations in Utah, so teens are forcibly removed from their homes, sent to a remote location, and have little contact with their families. 
• Religious academies are often operated by faith-based organizations focusing on spiritual growth alongside discipline and behavioral correction. Treatment may incorporate prayer, moral discipline, and scripture. Sometimes these centers are exempt from state licensing and oversight, raising concerns about accountability.

Why Oversights and Standards Matter

There is no consistent federal regulation or oversight for the private youth behavioral health industry. Many states exempt religious boarding schools from licensing and child welfare oversight, with no standard process to track placements or lengths of stay.  

At least 350 youth deaths have been recorded in these programs, and 72% of teens in these programs report experiencing abuse or trauma. Oversight and legal standards ensure that youth treatment programs are safe, accountable, and improve the overall quality of care [3]. 

What Paris Hilton Experienced at Provo Canyon School 

Paris was sent to Provo at 16 for struggles with ADHD, academic challenges, and truancy. She experienced severe mistreatment throughout her stay, which eventually contributed to later problems in adulthood, such as trauma, PTSD, and substance abuse.

Some of what Paris experienced at Provo included [1]: 

• Physical restraints and solitary confinement: She was physically restrained in a small room that was often cold, deprived of blankets or modest comforts. 
• Forced medication: She was medicated against her will and punished when she resisted taking pills. 
• Sexual abuse: Hilton described invasive pelvic exams conducted by male staff who were not doctors, which she now can identify as sexual abuse.
• Dehumanization: Strip searches, being watched while showering or using the bathroom, and being forcibly taken from her home were described as a “living hell” by Hilton.
• Misleading Parents: Her parents were misled about the nature of the facility, which lacked proper therapeutic care, licensed therapists, and oversight, and instead subjected teens to abuse and neglect.

Why Some Programs Fail To Protect Teens 

Programs for troubled teens often fail to protect youth due to several systemic issues, such as lack of oversight, outdated practices, and a focus on punishment rather than therapeutic care [3]. 

• Lack of oversight: Many programs operate without proper state licensing, especially religious and private facilities. 
• Abusive methods masked as discipline: Isolation, solitary confinement, physical restraints, aversion therapy, conversation therapy, and even sexualized abuse have all been reported from these programs used as “treatment” methods. 
• Use of attack, aversion, or conversion therapy, which includes tactics such as verbal harassment, humiliation, and invalidating youth around identity issues such as self-esteem or sexuality. The purpose is to break down a teen’s ego and rebuild their self-worth (this strategy has been proven ineffective, outdated, and harmful). 
• Peer hierarchy: Some families give other youth the responsibility for disciplining or restraining their peers, creating an unsafe and coercive environment. 
• Forced removal from home: Many teens are forcibly removed from their homes during the night by “teen escort” companies and transported to the facility, a practice known as “gooning”. 

Red Flags Families Should Watch For 

Families should be aware of red flags both in teen behavior and within programs themselves to avoid placing their teens in unsafe environments[3]. 

Some red flags to watch out for include:

• Programs recommending forced transportation or involuntary commitment.
• Programs that are not state-licensed or accredited.
• Use of isolation, seclusion, or solitary confinement.
• Presence of peer hierarchy.
• Overly focused on discipline and obedience, with a lack of therapeutic support.
• Requirement for “Christian arbitration” or religious-only conflict resolution.
• Reports or rumors of sexualized behavior or abuse.

The Problem Isn’t Help, It’s How It’s Delivered 

It’s important to keep in mind that advocates speaking out against the troubled teen industry are not criticizing the basis of teen mental health or substance abuse treatment. Help is good. How it’s delivered is often the problem. Paris Hilton addressed this key point when addressing Congress, contributing to the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act being passed [4]. 

This bipartisan legislation aims to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability in youth residential treatment programs through key provisions such as. 

• The HHS and the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine must conduct a comprehensive study on the state of youth residential programs every two years. 
• The study will involve consultations with child advocates, health professionals, government agencies, and policymakers. 
• The study must cover and report on the nature, prevalence, severity, and scope of abuse, neglect, or death in these programs, as well as funding sources, and existing regulations or standards of care. 
• Education and training resources must be provided for any staff working with youth in fields such as healthcare, law enforcement, social work, and education. 
• Local and state efforts to support more community-based alternatives that are evidence-based, promote youth well-being, and keep kids in their community (e.g, Children Community Residence (CCR) or High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW)).  
• Establish an interagency known as the Federal Work Group on Youth Residential Programs to promote best practices regarding youth care, treatment, and placement.

After years of calling out the troubled teen industry, speaking about her own experiences of abuse, and lobbying lawmakers, Hilton referred to the bill’s passage as “a day I will never forget”.  

What Ethical, Transparent Treatment Looks Like

Effective, safe, high-quality residential treatment centers are state-licensed, provide clear communication with parents, and have accredited therapists trained in trauma-informed, up-to-date care. 

Family Involvement, Licensed Therapists, and Oversight 

A reputable treatment program recognizes the importance of family involvement and facilitates open communication between teens and their parents or caregivers as needed. Programs also may offer family therapy, encourage parental involvement in the recovery process, and host family-centered events to improve successful treatment outcomes. 

Treatment programs must be licensed and accredited. This means that they must follow strict protocols and regulations, either state or federal, to continue administering treatment. Take a look at the staff of the center and make sure therapists are licensed and specialized in treating behavioral health problems in youth. 

Trauma-Informed and Relationship-Based Care 

Trauma-informed care emphasizes recognizing the impact that trauma plays in the lives of already vulnerable teens. Treatment is sensitive to the experiences and cultural identities of each youth, and staff follow the principles of trauma-informed care, such as safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, choice, and resilience. Programs avoid re-traumatizing youth by avoiding coercive or humiliating practices such as verbal abuse or isolation. 

Staff are taught to build strong, trusting relationships as a foundation for healing and encourage caring, peer connections that foster a sense of community. They are trained to respond to crises or distressing situations with empathy and evidence-based interventions rather than punishment or outdated methods.  

Rebuilding Trust in Adolescent Treatment 

Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health facilities in Texas committed to helping teens recover from behavioral addictions, substance abuse, and mental health disorders. We are a licensed and accredited facility dedicated to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care and education for parents and caregivers of youth.  

Sources 

[1] Paris Hilton. 2020. This is Paris. Youtube. 

[2] Troubled Teen Industry Exploitation. Van Law Firm. 

[3] Tsisin, E. 2023. The Troubled Teen Industry’s Troubling Lack of Oversight. Regulatory Review. 

[4] StopInstitutionalChildAbuse.Com