The Parallel Process: Growing Alongside Your Adolescent or Young Adult Child in Treatment

I really like this book and could relate to so much of this even without having a teen currently in a program away for home. The strategy can still be used by parents in changing communication and getting out of the patterns that are not helping our kids that struggle. I will be recommending this book to my therapist and my daughter’s therapist.

I wish this had been recommended preemptively to me before my kids became teens. I have read several books relating to my childrens' ages and issues. Hands down this is the most effective in the way it sheds light on what the parent can do to lay the groundwork for renewing relationships with the teen. The author was a wilderness therapy counselor for many years, and brings her amazing insight from years of experience working with teens to parents searching for a way back to their kids' lives.

My 26 year old son just started residential treatment for depression, anxiety and ADD. His therapist recommended this book. He had been living in our basement playing video games and getting more and more depressed. Little did I know how much my own parenting style was adding to his grief and keeping him from developing into his own person. I saw myself in so many of the examples in this book. After reading it, I feel empowered to make the changes I need to make while my son is working on his own issues. Instead of being worried and afraid for him in treatment, I’m now reassured that we will each find out way to being a better, more whole person.

This is a must have if your child is going to wilderness program. However it can be helpful even if they aren’t at wilderness.Both or all the parents and any involved caregivers must read the book and discuss it. Tell your child about the book so they know they aren’t the only one with these problems.Also - if you are wondering about wilderness just call some of them. They will explain what it is and what it isn’t. They will answer every question you or your child has. If they won’t answer a question, move on.

Very insightful. I found the book helpful amd well written. I wish i would have read this earlier in parenting.

This is the guide I wish we parents had been able to find fifteen years ago. At that time, my adolescent son was in detention and court-ordered to have a mental health screening. When we received the diagnosis of a mood disorder, that was only the beginning of our long journey toward healing and better understanding. Most parental guides at the time didn't address the type of connection/ support problems our family was dealing with. Pozatek's book does, and it's a great companion to our NAMI family support group. My son isn't on a wilderness adventure (except in metaphor!), but the issues are still the same as this therapist describes. With a situation like ours, along with diagnosis and medication comes a life-long commitment to training in how to deal with the inevitable struggles and problems that come up in your loved one's daily life. Maintaining emotional attunement, establishing boundaries, and reframing are survival skills in this context. Without this training, it's almost impossible to overcome the parental tendency to "save" your child or constantly try to rescue them-- both impossible. Maybe not true for everyone, but true for many. Thank you for writing this book, Krissy Pozatek!

This is an essential read for any parent with a struggling child/teen receiving any kind of treatment. Filled with life lessons for parents.

Its a very good book. Tons of very relevant advice and very insightful on attunement, setting boundaries and letting go enough to find their way. it’s really good overall and i’ve read many books like this. I took away one star though as most of he examples are full of cliches - drugs, alcohol, sex, older bad boys, etc. my kid needs all of what’s in this book but has none of those issues. Plenty of people without the afternoon lifetime special issues that still have the problems this book covers. but if you can get past some of the eye rolling examples it’s full of spot on advice. definitely worth the purchase. i’ve read a lot of similar books that are not nearly as insightful as this book with concrete advice.

Este libro es increíble para cualquier padre/madre con hijo/a con ansiedad, deficit de atención y otros retos!!!

If your son or daughter is in a residential treatment center in the US, or in a wilderness program, this book is for you. Parents' involvement is crucial. Highly recommended.