Below is one success story from the Winona Outpatient Counseling Program. To protect the privacy of the client, we cannot use real names nor can we provide photos or a release form.
Jim is a 12 year old male who was having significant bahavioral problems at home and in school. He was often defiant, and was close to failing several of his classes. He was struggling to comlete age-appropriate daily responsibilities in both settings. Jim also was frequently in quarrelsome relationships with peers, which was a source of frustration for him. Due to these challenges, a referral for in-home counseling came from the shool and a county social worker.
With the assistance of their In-Home Counselor, the family was able to identify specific areas in which they could provide more structure for Jim in the home setting. They put into place a reasonable system of rules, limits, and reawards; and began to consistenly monitor Jim's progress. During this time, the family members were able to gradually increase their ability to walk away from Jim's efforts to engage them in verbal power struggles. They also increased the occurrence in which they complimented Jim on things he was doing well. During sessions, Jim gradually increased his ability to effectively discuss matters that were causing him to feel angry; while identifying possible solutions to problems as an alternative to acting out behavior.
The In-Home Counselor also encouraged Jim's family to increase the frequency in which they maintained an open line of communication with his school. This enabled his parents to monitor Jim's academic and behavioral progress in the school setting more closely, and provided the family and school a chance to work together in implementing an individual plan to assist Jim in meeting academic and behavioral goals. Jim was resistant at first to these efforts, however over time met the goals that were set for him in the school setting. He was able to increase his grades to an acceptable level, while noticeably increasing his level of cooperative behavior in the classroom, too.
Over time Jim began to realize that his family would not give in to his acting out behavior, so he gradually improved his level of behavior in the hom setting. He also began to display a more upbeat and cheerful demeanor, while often joking around with family members. He was able to meet behavioral goals that were set for him in the home setting, and the family expressed satisfaction with the progress that he made. Jim was able to help the family complete daily tasks around the home, while minimizing the occurence of challenging and defiant behavior. He was able to discuss problems with family members, in an effort to look for solutions, as an alternative to oppositional and challenging behavior. Jim also found that as his general demeanor and attitude improved, it was easier for him to make friends and stay out of trouble in school.
After completion of the In-Home Counseling program, Jim's family sent us a letter stating that Jim was able to maintain progress with his attitude and behavior. His parents said they continue to be happy with his overall attitude and behaaviors in the home setting.They also said that Jim continues to receive positive remarks from his school teachers regarding his progress both academically and behaviorally. The school also commented on Jim's general demeanor being noticeably more positive than it had been previously.