2004 Newsletter - MI Family Therapy.com

More Uncertain Times

As if school doesn't provide enough challenges for students, there is the war in Iraq and the tsunami in Asia. Although children may not always talk about these issues they are certainly aware of the tragedies in our world today. Obviously tragedies of this magnitude can create anxiety and a sense of helplessness and uncertainty in children's minds. It is wonderful that many schools have provided avenues for children to help. Many schools have organized fundraising so that their students can send money to those touched by the tsunami. The fact that so many children have given up their allowances and sold cupcakes to help others reaffirms the importance having a purpose in life. Children always need to feel they are important and have something to offer to others less fortunate. It also allows them to cope in an active way with their fears. Volunteering may not always be enough to cope with the fears of an uncertain world but it will certainly help in more ways than one. The most troublesome children probably have the most to gain from a project of helping and they probably have a lot to offer as well.

Parent Education Series:

We have just developed a series of workshops for parents on topics of interest. Every month during the school year we will be providing a talk on a different topic ranging from saving a marriage to dealing with children who feel overly entitled. These are issues that we find being raised on a regular basis by parents and we hope it meets a need in the community. Take a look at the enclosed flyer and feel free to call us with any questions you or the parents you work with might have. We do have some scholarships available for those you feel are unable to afford the fee. If you have other topics you would like to see us address, please let us know!

Are Your Students Struggling?

If you have students who have failed the first semester and are in danger of failing the entire year due to behavioral issues, school attendance, lack of work or unidentifiable reasons it is not too late to intervene. If parents, school and other adults work together as a team even the toughest of problems can turn around quickly. Call for a consultation or refer the family and we will contact you shortly after the first appointment. If attentional problems seem to be creating difficulties we also offer psychological testing to determine the cause. Contact Dr. Margerum for more information on our ADHD screening or testing for learning problems.

Explore Our Website

Please check out the rest of our website at mifamilytherapy.com ! Find out what workshops are available or coming up in the future and see what publications are available. You can also contact us by e-mail via our website.

Reading/List Resources

Have you heard of the Teen Screen Program developed by Columbia University? They provide screening tools for use in the school or other settings to identify youth at risk for suicide or other serious mental health problems. It begins with screening tests and then more in-depth interviews and referrals for youth that are identified as at-risk. Take a look at their web-site teenscreen.org where you can download information or order the program. Feel free to contact Dr. Margerum if you would like to discuss partnering in this program.

Want Us to Come Out to Your School?

Dr. Margerum is still available to present the "Warning Signs" and "Warning Signs for Parents" curriculum developed by the American Psychological Association at your school or PTA meeting. If you are interested in having us come out to present to your PTA, teachers or administration we would love to talk with you. Whether your staff wants help getting students to behave more respectfully, working more closely as a team or getting parents more involved we would be happy to help. We can also come out to present our 5 session parent training session for those parents whose students are out of control. Please go to our website for more information on The Right to be the Grown-up.

Please contact us at (248) 593-4784 if you want to consult on a case or the appropriateness of a referral. Ask to speak with Jerome Price or Judith Margerum.

© Michigan Family Institute, Inc.
www.mifamilytherapy.com
30161 Southfield Road, Suite 312
Southfield, MI 48076
248/593-4784