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Relationships matter:  change comes through forming trusting relationships. People, not programs change people.

"Unexpressed feeling never die. They are buried alive and come back later in ugly ways." (Stephen Covey)

The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

Children today are under enormous pressures rarely experienced by their parents or grandparents. Many of today's children are being enticed to grow up too quickly and are encountering challenges for which they are totally unprepared.

Don't wait for him to turn 10 before you reveal that you are not in fact the hired help whose job it is to clean up after him.

The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice. (Peggy O'Mara)

The mistake that Sharon and I both made is we never set any boundaries.  (Ozzy Osbourne)

Parenting style matters - a lot!

If you (parents) tend to overreact to your child's misbehaviour - your child learns that he can't trust you. Mom, Dad, stay regulated!

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

Learn more.

Teen Depression vs Adult Depression

DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS IN ADULTS & TEENS
 
ADULTS
  • tend to be sad
  • stay sad
  • sleep less
  • eat less
  • decrease in libido
  • no change in anxiety
  • no change in physical problems

Teens

  • tend to be angry, irrational, act out
  • cycles in and out frequently
  • sleep more
  • eat more
  • libido seldom impaired
  • increased anxiety
  • complains of somatic symptoms

There is a marked increase in irritability which is frequently evident in young people leading to family conflicts.

Not all depressed adolescents experience depression differently than adults

A marked drop in school performance is a primary indicator of depression.

Depression in teens can be particularly insidious and often follows other mental disorders (eg. anxiety disorder)

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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See more of our workshops


Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“Our daughter was the joy of our life until she turned 13, then all hell broke loose. Rick helped us understand what was happening to her and we made some adjustments that helped us get through it. She’s now in University and doing well.”

(D.A. – St. Thomas)