ABOUT THE EPISODE:
It’s nearly impossible for our kids to see us as anything but authority figures.  And, of course, we are.  We want to protect them from the world and sometimes even from the consequences of their own actions.  But teens and young adults struggling with substance misuse often need a different kind of relationship to accept responsibility for their actions and explore their behavior's roots.

My guest for this episode is Dr. Wes Robins, founder and CEO of Eternal Strength, which focuses on what he calls “radical youth work”.  This work breaks down the perception of counselors or therapists as authority figures, focusing on relationships rather than behavior modification.  Over the course of his life, Wes has progressed from his own addiction to cocaine and methamphetamine to a doctoral thesis in Consciousness and Society, making him a unique lens through which to view teens and young adults in recovery. 

On this episode we discuss:

• Why parents should shift their energies from behavioral control to support with boundaries and self-care
• Why recognizing the sovereignty and responsibility of teens and young adults is key to helping them open up
• How Wes builds mutual respect with young adults that sidesteps a hierarchical relationship – and why it’s so difficult for parents.

You can learn more about Eternal Strength here: https://www.eternalstrengthatl.com/

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