Respect, as the great “they” say, must be earned. Usually this adage is repeated in reference to respecting one’s elders. What no one talks about, or perhaps even thinks about, is how to earn self-respect. How can a struggling young man earn the respect of others when he has not figured out how to earn […]
On this day every year we celebrate the United States’ independence from England in 1776. Relatively young men, propelled by idealism and growth, rose up to the challenge of breaking away and becoming something new. However, it is important to note that those young men did not do it alone. Not only did they band […]
I am continually amazed by the ways animals are used in therapy and in education. Seeing eye dogs are completely passé. We’ve now got rabbits that help kids with reading and miniature horses that serve as guides. Even dogs have expanded the variety of therapy roles in which they serve. There are dogs who care […]
Questioning standard practices in therapy Dr. Rosenberg struggled with some of the concepts mandated by traditional psychotherapy, as do I. He was, for example, adamant that true therapy could not be achieved without some degree of personal bonding between patient and therapist. The way I understand it is in terms of theatre: actors and actresses […]
Introducing the concept of nonviolent communication as an essential life skill When I first heard the term “nonviolent communication,” I thought it sounded like some sort of rehabilitation program for violent felons. And indeed, it has been used successfully in that sort of program. However, it’s actually a way of communication that we all could […]
Experiential Learning vs. Recreational Therapy: Where does experiential learning fall short? Within the past decade, schools across the nation have become more familiar with the concept of experiential learning. Educators, recognizing a flawed system, have been searching for radically new ways to reach students, capture their interest, and increase graduation rates. Alternative programs like JobCorps […]
An Excerpt from, “Better Mental Health, Down on the Farm” By TARA PARKER-POPE, The New York Times Working with farm animals may boost coping skills. (James Estrin/The New York Times) Caring for farm animals appears to offer a therapeutic benefit for people with mental illness, according to new research. Earlier studies with cats and […]
Understanding and Overcoming Self-Defeating Attitudes and Behaviors Teens and young adults who are described as troubled or high risk often share a very similar characteristic- they have self-defeating attitudes. Self-defeating, which sounds obvious in nature, typically stems from much more comprehensive issues. The definition of self-defeating behavior is “any attitude or gesture that thwarts a […]
Many of the students that enter our program have past histories of drug abuse or addiction. Most of the parents we speak with did not recognize the signs until it was too late. By being properly educated and informed, to identify the attitudes and behaviors in teens using drugs, parents can help prevent long term […]
I am frequently asked, “What is your typical client like?” and “Why do they come to you?”Like many other questions in this business, it’s difficult to give a concrete answer. No two people are the same. However, I have come to see that every student has a few things in common, so I’m comfortable presenting […]