For a parent, understanding what a teen is thinking can be a thorny responsibility.
A new company in Wilton, Adolescent Behavioral Consulting, seeks to assist when that duty becomes too much. Structured like a consulting company, ABC offers intervention and coaching for families with at-risk teens and young adults.
“Parenting today’s adolescents can pose many unique and confusing challenges from drug use, sexual behavior and breaking the law, to disrespecting teachers and parents, failing in school, and using poor judgment,” said Michael Harmann, founder of Adolescent Behavioral Consulting.
The firm”™s services include in-home assessments, one-on-one teen and young adult mentoring for ages 15 to 25, recovery coaching, outpatient support, parent coaching, therapy adherence support and transportation, job placement, 24-hour support and referral assistance.
“This is for parents concerned with the safety and future of their child,” said Harmann.
The Institute of Mental Health reported in 2006 suicide as the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24.
“Challenges that adolescents face today are unique,” said Harmann. “Often behaviors of at-risk teens and young adults are not severe enough for a rehab or behavioral modification program, but may be too severe for therapy alone. Our solution is a hands-on approach keeping the teen and family in their own environment, addressing the issues with the appropriate amount of effort and time, and leaving no stone unturned.”?Harmann said at-risk adolescents are typically in varying degrees of crisis.Â
The service begins with a phone call followed by an in-home meeting with a consultant and the parent or parents as well as with the teen or young adult.
“We learn about the current situation and determine what intervention is appropriate,” said Harmann. “We immediately begin spending as much one-on-one time as possible with the adolescent.”
The cause of the new company is close to Harmann, who grew up in Weston and overcame his severe learning disabilities through special education programs during his childhood and early teen years. He holds a masters degree in social work from Columbia University.
“Parents need to know that they are not alone in their journey with their at-risk teen” said Harmann. “Not only are there many parents going through similar difficulties, but there are also many resources and levels of options in our area for help.”
ABC has ties with many of the rehab centers, behavioral modification programs, therapists, and attorneys in Fairfield County.
