Week 1 - Introduction
In the first week we discuss the various topics covered in the course, receive a brief summary of parenting types, and parents will have time to get to know one another as they share their individual struggles and hopes for the course. During this initial session the clinician gets a better understanding of the parents’ needs to ensure that these are addressed during the program.
Week 2 - Child Development
The second week is dedicated to the stages of cognitive, social, and emotional development. We also discuss how children process/understand information during these stages. We also discuss how alcohol and drugs can negatively affect fetal neurological development during pregnancy. The detrimental impact of marijuana/substance use on the adolescent brain is also reviewed.
Week 3 - Family Bonding
During the third week we discuss the importance of bonding as a family to build a supportive environment for children. A supportive home environment can lower the risk of future behavioral issues as well as drug/alcohol use in children. Effective communication, appropriate boundaries, and bonding activities are all covered during this week.
Week 4 - Managing Behaviors
This topic is especially important to help parents understand how to address behaviors in a way that ensures the child-parent relationship remains strong and based on trust and acceptance. During this session we discuss how to best manage behaviors using positive reinforcement, positive parenting, and effective discipline based on the child’s age and circumstances. Equipping parents with a fundamental understanding of how to positively manage behaviors may help them lower the risk of their children using substances, and/or act out in problematic ways.
Week 5 - Anger Management
Tension, stress, substance use, and other factors can interfere with an individual’s ability to manage their emotions, which can impact how parents interact with their children. The focus this week is on giving parents the tools to manage their own anger and to improve their conflict resolution skills. We also discuss modeling appropriate emotional management and how to deal with a child when he or she is angry or upset. Dealing with emotions in a healthy, productive way can lower the risk for future mental health issues as well as substance abuse and dependence.
Week 6 - Social Supports
Developing healthy and appropriate relationships within the community are essential for a child’s proper development. During this week we discuss the importance of connecting with other parents and how to locate and utilize the resources in the community. Parents also learn how to monitor and support their children involved in age-appropriate social activities, which can help to lower the risk that children will use drugs and alcohol or become involved in problematic behaviors.
Week 7 - Substance Abuse
This week parents will learn the basics of drug and alcohol abuse, and what factors increase or decrease the risk that their children will use. We will also discuss how to talk with kids about drugs and alcohol, as well as review the warning signs associated with teen substance abuse and dependence, and where to get help if their child is using.
Week 8 - Wrap up
During this final class the clinician will summarize the topics discussed, touch on the needs of the parents, and individuals will be encouraged to discuss how they can use what they have learned to address the challenges they face as parents.
Individual Counseling Session
Parents will schedule a one-to-one session with their clinician to obtain individual help on specific issues, ask personal questions about their parenting challenges, and to obtain help in finding community resources or referrals.
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For more information on Project Parenting or to register for the next class please call Genesis Counseling Services, Inc., at (508) 620-2992
