By Melissa “Mel” Genco
WYGC Child & Family Therapist
At West Yavapai Guidance Clinic (WYGC), we are helping teens navigate the challenges they face in today’s world. With that goal in mind, WYGC has implemented an evidence-based program called Too Good for Drugs and Violence – Social Perspectives, a prevention education program developed by the C.E. Mendez Foundation.
This 16-week group is to build social-emotional awareness to empower teens to be positive leaders within their community. The program employs role playing, games, and interactive discussions to engage teens in this amazing therapeutic process.
The group from the start focuses on goal setting through managing obstacles with achieving teen’s goals in life. Next is decision making and helping teens recognizing their personal responsibility in the outcome of their decisions. We move on to emotional self-awareness where participants learn to identify and manage their emotions, develop self-awareness, and examine how this influences their decision making.
Week 4 focuses on effective communications so teens can learn to be speak assertively and be active listeners. We move on to social relationships, healthy interpersonal skills, and being a positive influence and inspiring others. Week 6, 7, 8, and 9 discusses the social consequences of alcohol, vapes, marijuana, and other drugs. We discuss the short-term and long-term effects of all substances on the teen brain. Following the substance-use sections, we discuss alternatives to that direction and review goal setting, decision making, and effective communications.
Next is respect for self and others, to include respectfully listening and responding to different points of view, opinions, and experiences. We then cover conflict resolution where the teens reflect on behaviors and attitudes that can escalate or de-escalate a situation. Stress management is covered next to assist teens with change, difficult situations, and internal and external conflicts. We will discuss the role of self-control and personal responsibility as it relates to stress.
In week 14 teens will learn about characteristics of healthy and unhealthy dating relationships. Finally, we look at social media, and the benefits and stressors associated with online activity. We again reflect on decision-making and goals. Week 16 is a graduation ceremony to celebrate all they have learned and discuss implementation.
WYGC strives to teach youths and families how to cope and manage the ever day challenges, and the extreme challenges faced by the teens of today. The Too Good for Drugs and Violence – Social Perspectives provides families with an opportunity to open up conversations with their teen about many subjects. Following each group, the teen receives a “Bring It Home” newsletter for parents to discuss as well as activities that are short, fun and interactive and can be completed as a family.
With the support of parents/guardians, teens will practice their skills in the home, at school, and in the community. This exciting program is building up our teens toward becoming role models, and WYGC is always here to provide family supports and therapeutic services to help on that journey.
This closed group takes place for 16 weeks, working with teens ages 14-17 years old with emotional maturity to process and problem solve. Please call West Yavapai Guidance Clinic at 928-445-5211 to get more information on this new, innovative program or to register for our next session.