A Powerful Combo of Proven Tools for Families When Your Child Misuses Drugs and Alcohol, with Dr. Jennifer Fernandez
My guest today, Dr. Jennifer Fernandez, is a proponent of a compassionate model that sounds more complex than it is - the "biopsychosocial model." This model aims to contextualize all factors contributing to someone’s reliance on substances - not just genetics. She says this type of analysis can help those who love someone struggling with substances understand behavior that would otherwise seem irrational. And when we know more, it leaves room for the empathy we need to parent young people who can appear out of control.
The Influence Paradox: How Giving Up Control Can Give You Sway, with Dr. Emily Kline
You’ve probably heard me (and many of my guests) talk about letting go of the idea that you can control your teen or young adult child. This is so hard to do, for obvious reasons, and parents who struggle with this have some valid questions like; Isn’t it our job to protect our kids? If I stop confronting the problems, isn’t that just avoidance? How is this different from just giving up? My guest today says that these questions are missing an important paradox: The more we sacrifice controlling behavior, the more opportunity we have to gain real influence – especially using skills like Motivational Interviewing.