Episode 52: Unpacking the Troubled Teen Industry with Corey Jentry

In this episode, Ali Kessler speaks with Corey Jentry, a survivor and advocate in the troubled teen industry. They discuss Corey's personal experiences in treatment, the flaws in the mental health system, and the long-term effects of misdiagnosis and labeling on young boys. Corey emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma, the role of peer pressure in treatment, and the need for qualified professionals in mental health care. He also shares insights on navigating life after treatment and offers advice for parents seeking help for their children.Corey Jentry shares his personal experience in the troubled teen industryThe troubled teen industry often misdiagnoses and mislabels trauma as behavioral issuesPeer pressure plays a significant role in treatment environmentsMany kids in treatment have experienced significant traumaGood treatment can save lives, while bad treatment can cause irreparable damageEducation was a key factor in Corey's recovery and understanding of his pastParents should do thorough research before sending their children to treatment centersKids are more resilient than we often give them credit forThe mental health system has significant flaws that need addressingCorey advocates for accountability and reform in mental health careAbout Corey JentryCorey Jentry is the founder of Jentry Consulting, an industry insider and advocate for accountability, safety, and reform in mental healthcare. He brings a rare and powerful perspective to his work—one shaped by both lived experience and academic expertise.As a teenager, Corey was placed in a troubled-teen treatment program that promised healing but instead subjected him to coercion, control, and psychological harm. That experience became the foundation for his lifelong commitment to exposing systemic abuse and advocating for ethical, trauma-informed care.Corey went on to earn a Ph.D. in Political Science from the London School of Economics, where he studied power structures, systemic violence, and conflict resolution. His academic work, combined with his personal experience, allows him to analyze the troubled-teen industry through both a human and structural lens.He is the author of Selling Sanity: The Troubled-Teen Industry, the Insane Profits, and the Kids Who Pay the Price, a memoir and exposé that sheds light on a largely hidden, multi-billion-dollar industry profiting from vulnerable youth. Through consulting, speaking, and advocacy, Corey works to educate parents, professionals, and policymakers on recognizing red flags, protecting children, and pushing for meaningful reform.https://www.jentryconsultingservices.com/about@coreyjentryAbout Ali Kessler: Ali Kessler is a writer, marketing professional, passionate parent advocate, and founder of Greyson’s Choice, a 501(c)(3) created to raise awareness about the risk of domestic abuse on children. Greyson’s Choice was founded by Ali Kessler in memory of her sweet, vibrant, and fearless 4.5-year-old son, Greyson, who was murdered by his biological father in a murder-suicide during an unsupervised, court-approved visit in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 2021. This came just hours after her petition for a domestic violence injunction was denied by a Broward County judge, citing that the “petitioner has failed to allege any overt acts by the respondent which would constitute domestic violence under Florida Statute.”Ali’s advocacy efforts culminated in successfully passing Greyson’s Law during the 2023 legislative session. This bill now requires the court to consider threats against ex-partners or spouses when making child visitation and custody determinations in the court, expanding to include the following factors: evidence of domestic violence, whether a parent in the past or currently has reasonable cause to believe that they or a minor child is, or has been in imminent danger of becoming the victim of domestic/sexual violence by the other parent, even if no other legal action has been brought or is currently pending in court.Contact Ali:EmailLinkedInWebsite