Author Archives: Jeff Brain
A message to parents of addicts…
A colleague of mine from Fulshear has authored a terrific blog with an important message to parents who are coming to terms with the disease of addiction in their child – and feeling guilty or ashamed. Check it out at … Continue reading
Summer Reading Recommendations
Jeff Brain’s recommended reading for parents with children in treatment, at risk for out of home placement, or considering residential treatment. Hold On to Your Kids, Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers, Gordon Neufeld, PhD & Gabor Mate, … Continue reading
Stage 5 – Hope Lost & Found
New Roles: Embracing your new role as an agent of change Parents sometimes assume that sending their son or daughter to a treatment program means that their role has been compromised, or that they are being marginalized. Nothing could be … Continue reading
Stage 4 – Hope Lost & Found
Realization – Real Healing and Change Takes Time Everyone likes a quick fix. We are all so time oriented and rushing treatment and intervention is short-sighted. To set a time clock or a pre-determined date of completion stymies real growth … Continue reading
Stage 3 – Hope Lost & Found
Sacrifices & Courage – accepting the sacrifices that must be made and having the courage to take action As parents, we are quite familiar with making sacrifices for our children; for putting their needs before out own. But the sacrifices … Continue reading
Stage 2 – Hope Lost & Found
Recognizing that the solution will require something different or unfamiliar How can it be that the right kind of help means that I have to send my child to a school or treatment program? Coming to terms with the reality … Continue reading
Stage 1 – Hope Lost & Found
Acceptance – coming to terms that a problem exists – its more than just “typical teen” behavior Denial is a natural coping mechanism. And, of course, as parents we want to give our children every opportunity and every resource to … Continue reading
Hope Lost…and Found Again
When hope about our child’s life and future is shaken, it changes everything. Whether your hope has been gradually fading as you watch your child become someone you don’t recognize, or if your hope is suddenly snatched by an unfortunate … Continue reading
Program/School tour checklist for parents
A checklist for parents when visiting a therapeutic boarding school or residential program. (c) Jeff Brain 1. Be open minded. You are seeking a unique learning and therapeutic environment for your child since he/she has not been successful in traditional … Continue reading
This is Your Life – wisdom from the classic David Altshuler
http://www.davidaltshuler.com/blog “This is the life I have with my kids. It might not be the life I envisioned, there might not be much champagne and less Greek in this life, but it’ll do.” This is Your Life Look, any relationship … Continue reading