You can call; in that conversation, we determine if you want to work with me. I blend a variety of techniques borrowed from Stages of Change Theory, Relational-Cultural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy. Issues specific to substance use behaviors will be discovered. Together, we can then come up with solutions, to a wide range of challenges.

Your teen might benefit by an assessment in the following ways:

• Connect to a caring adult
• Understand where s/he is at on the continuum
• Learn harms/benefits associated with that level of use
• Understand the influence of one’s family history
• Assess the scope and quality of supports in his/her life
• Ask for help if/when there are safety concerns
• Improve in school performance, and
• Move towards short and long term goals

Once I’ve met with your teen, I can offer recommendations for how you and your teen can move forward. Sometimes that involves me; sometimes not. There is always and option for counseling. I have discovered that working with families can aid in the following:

• Educate parents about adolescent substance abuse issues
• Avoid the risk of alienating parents
• Enhance the individual work with youth
• Complement/expand “protective factors” for youth
• Establish connection to pro-social pursuits
• Develop and enhance family norms that promote family interaction

At times, the peer group model is of great benefit. Sessions are stuctured in such a way as to elicit full cooperation of the young people who participate and promote mutual aid between group members. I maintain an interpretive role that helps support young people accomplish the following:

• Assess their relationship with substances, relative to their peers
• Take the necessary steps to change behaviors,
• Promote a sense of well-being and
• Reduce harmful consequences due to use of drugs and alcohol.