Many adolescents hit a stormy time. When they do, defiance, school problems, irresponsible behavior, and drug or alcohol use pop up like great bandits stealing away children who once were wonderful. While most adolescents work through their storms with only minor crises, some adolescents’ behavior can saddle them with burdens for years to come. No one wants that!

Often the BEST solution to adolescent problems is not therapy for the adolescent, but Family Relationship Enhancement® Skills Habits (FRESH).

FRESH is the Parent-Adolescent form of Relationship Enhancement® Therapy. It doesn’t mean that kids act “fresh,” but that your family gets a “fresh” start with relationships. Instead of a therapist helping a child work through issues alone, parents and therapist work together. In this method, parents and youth are taught nine communication/conflict resolution/problem solving skills that enable youth to face their issues WITH parental support and help. Research consistently shows that even though most adolescents and parents struggle, good relationships with adults are THE BEST insurance you can give your child to enable him or her to weather the storms and serious threats of adolescence. In FRESH parents and adolescents face small (putting clothes in the hamper), medium (coming in on time) and great (using drugs) issues with solutions that work because they evolve from your own family values.

Individual sessions may also be held with a child or with parents from time to time. Sessions usually last one to one and a half hours and may be held in our offices at 306 West Main St. Suite 510 in Frankfort or 828 Lane Allen Road in Lexington.

IDEALS of Kentucky does not provide medication or medication management. Referrals can be made to physicians or psychiatrists if medication is needed. While we provide an excellent family component to alcohol or drug treatment for adolescents, IDEALS of Kentucky is not a chemical dependency treatment program. Referrals are made to other programs for primary treatment if this is necessary.