"Healthy individuals, families, and relationships are our most valuable resource." -- State of California

The Changing Family
Families in our society are undergoing an upheaval. No longer does the traditional picture of a father, mother, 2.3 children and a dog dominate the family scene. There are more single parent families and "blended" families than traditional, intact families.

The Frightening Picture
At the same time, society does not seem to support parents in their efforts to set limits with their kids.
We see a frightening rise in:

• teen drug and alcohol abuse and addiction;
• teen pregnancy and abortion;
• highschool dropouts;
• violent crime and gang involvement; and
• teen suicide.

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." -- David O. McKay

Parents are Concerned
Parents are worried about how they can protect their kids. They want to be good parents and provide the kind of parenting that reduces the chances of their child becoming another statistic. Often, however, they end up feeling helpless, as they see their family spiraling downwards.

Looking at the Problems
Most parents parent their children just like they were parented. The problem is that even if your parents did a great job, too much has changed. Pressures are different on both kids and parents, kids are different and society is different. What worked for your parents may not work for you! Taking classes on parenting, reading books and magazines by the experts all help, but they do not usually solve the problem. Many parents still find themselves faced with challenges they are ill-equipped to deal with.

"The first principle of… character development in children is an honest, clear recognition of the importance of parent responsibility" -- Stephen R. Covey

The Role of Marriage
Another problems that is often overlooked is the role of a happy, stable marriage in raising a healthy family. As the divorce rate continues to soar at around 50%, we are just beginning to realize the impact on our kids. Recent research has confirmed problems such as:

• low self-esteem;
• difficulty maintaining relationships;
• fear of emotional intimacy;
• long-term depression; and
• lack of motivation and success.

Finding Solutions
A Center for Growth and Relationships wants to help you achieve the goal of raising a healthy family. We help you find solutions and develop skills to bring your loved ones closer, create harmony and build unity. Some of the ways we help are through:

• individual, couple, or family counseling and therapy;
• child and adolescent therapy;
• group therapy; and
• seminars, classes and workshops.

"The highest form of influence is to be a model, not a critic; and a light, not a judge." -- Stephen R. Covey

How We Can Help
At the Center, emphasis is placed on:

Seeking professional help is a sign of courage and a willingness to face life's challenges.

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