Parent and Family Counseling

Because the problems of a troubled teen invariably affect his or her family, parent and family counseling is part of The Family Foundation School experience.  Our various counseling activities help individual family members examine their attitudes and emotions and make positive changes while their Family School student does the same. This counseling includes:


Initial Parent Seminar, an all-day orientation that introduces parents to the school's academic and clinical leadership, its philosophy and goals, practices and procedures, and offers parents the first of many opportunities to develop and/or improve techniques to deal with their troubled teen.


Six-month Seminar, involving a small group of parents who discuss the therapeutic progress within their own home and family: improved parenting skills, and changes in how family members relate to one another and interact with their Family School student.


Family Group Counseling (on site or via Skype), conducted by a staff clinician who observes family dynamics and explores family issues.  Sessions utilize a therapeutic combination of family systems theory and the self-help approach developed by Families Anonymous, and provide a forum for students to work out problems with individual family members, to improve communication, and to set goals for the future.


Parent Transition Seminars occur twice during the student's last six months at the school.  Sessions bring parents and students together to help ensure a smooth reintegration as the family resumes living together and adjusts to the changes that have been made all around.


Outside Support Groups, essential for parents of troubled teens.  We encourage all parents to attend Families Anonymous, Al-Anon, Parents Anonymous, or other 12-Step meetings regularly while their child is a student with us.


12&12, an online support group started by two Family School parents, and whose list-serve is monitored by and available only to parents of alumni and parents of current students.  To ensure privacy and foster trust, school staff cannot visit or monitor the site.