Frustration is the most challenging issue we typically face after homesickness has abated.

Although Wellspring Academies may appear simple and straightforward, what we ask students to do – and, in particular, the level of consistency required for success, challenges even the most resilient long-term weight controllers, especially teenagers.

Research demonstrates that most weight controllers experience three distinct stages of change as they grapple with increasing activity level, limiting eating to healthful (albeit tasty) foods, and staying focused on remaining positive about themselves and their futures. Those three stages are 1) honeymoon; 2) frustration; and 3) acceptance.

After students have overcome homesickness and settled into the program, many of them enjoy a honeymoon period that includes relatively rapid weight loss and a feeling of excitement about making such a positive and important change in their lives. The weight loss seems easy and the activities at Wellspring Academies are fun and interesting.

The honeymoon period may last weeks, or only a few days. It ends when students get frustrated.

The reason for this frustration is unique for each student. For some, it could be an interaction with another student. For others, it could be poor weight loss one week, or being challenged by their behavioral coach or a staff member. Whatever the reason, many of our students have relatively poor frustration tolerance. While, at home, they might have relied on familiar coping mechanisms to deal with this frustration, like zoning out on the Internet or overeating, they do not have these opportunities at Wellspring Academies. As a result, common reactions to frustration include statements concerning an inability to do the program, statements of unhappiness (sometimes deep unhappiness), and expressed desires to return home.

Wellspring Behavioral Coaches and staff are experienced and adept at dealing with these reactions and transforming them into learning opportunities. (Frustration tolerance is a key skill for successful long-term weight control.)
At such times, we can help your child most effectively if you can align yourself with us as much as possible.

This is so important, because when Wellspring Behavioral Coaches and staff begin helping a child to work through this frustration, it is common for the child to appeal to parents in an attempt to find an easier path. If you’re with us 100%, this becomes a remarkable, possibly transforming, teachable moment for your child.
These appeals from students to their parents for assistance sometimes take the form of what we call “splitting”. Splitting is trying to pit one authority figure against another – in this case, pitting the parent against Wellspring. Attempts to split sometimes result in distorted descriptions of situations and events at Wellspring. These conversations can produce some concern, of course. And this is why it is essential that you communicate with us if you hear anything that concerns you.

Ultimately, frustration helps promote important changes. We have helped hundreds of students work through frustration to achieve the acceptance required for successful long-term weight control. As a result, we know that those who successfully work through frustration at Wellspring are much more likely to succeed once they return home. They develop better frustration tolerance and new, stronger and healthier coping skills.