Comprehensive Social Service Agency for Adults & Youth
Family Services
Parenting Classes
The family program is very important to the successful outcome for many suffering from chemical dependency. In most cases, substance abuse is a family problem with its roots based in the way the family members communicate with one another and what type of boundaries family members have set with the person suffering from chemical dependency. At TFSC we work with the court system and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to provide quality parenting classes to teach parenting skills necessary to form healthy relationships with their children help families reunite with one another.
Domestic Violence and Anger Management Program
Total Family Support Clinic offers Anger Management classes to provide education and skills training for those who need to learn how to manage their anger-induced reactions and responses in a more positive way. Our clients learn how to respond rather than react to potentially provocative individuals and situations.
TFSC anger management and domestic violence program teaches clients/offenders alternatives to coercive, dominating and violent behavior in any intimate relationships and ensures clients’ full collaboration with the Justice System, if any, or any referring agency. Our individual counseling sessions as well as groups address violence, aggressive behaviors and the law. Once clients are educated on the issue of abuse, they are counseled on the Power of Control Wheel (based on Duluth Domestic Violence Intervention), which addresses using intimidation; emotional abuse; isolation; shifting of responsibilities through minimization, denying, and blaming; children; gender privileges; economic abuse; and coercions through threat. Upon re-evaluation of personal behaviors, clients are educated on the wheel of Non-Violence and Equality, which includes non-threatening behaviors, respect, trust, support, honesty, accountability, responsible parenting, shared responsibilities, economic partnership, negotiation and fairness.
Clients are informed on contributing factors to anger, which include, but are not limited to substance abuse, family roles, and cultural beliefs. In addition, clients are guided into identification and expression of emotions and are assisted in development of coping mechanisms, stress management, and effective communication, as well as, into alternative conflict resolutions, problem solving, parenting skills, and self-care.
Court-Mandated Programs
The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act, also known as Proposition 36 was passed on November 7, 2000. This Act permanently changed state law to allow first– and second-time , simple drug possession offenders the opportunity to receive substance abuse treatment, instead of incarceration. TFSC offers classes on Drug Education, Anger Management, Self Esteem, Relapse Prevention, Health Education, and Parenting as needed by the client.
Family Counseling
At Total Family Support Clinic, we believe that involving the family in the treatment process is an integral part of successful substance abuse recovery. The family must learn to understand the nature of the disease of addiction and the behaviors, communications, and interpersonal problems that trigger and perpetuate substance abuse.
Total Family Support Clinic offers an intense educational program to teach clients how behavioral problems associated with substance abuse/dependency affects the interpersonal dynamics of the family. We also identify the present the family system and work toward breaking through the defense mechanisms that have supported or enabled the destructive behaviors of the individual suffering from addiction. Family programming also encourages the expression of the painful emotions of feelings that may have been avoided or medicated in the past. Effective communication is emphasized and the resolution of past anger and resentment give way to hope and positive support for building an honest and open relationship within a family or partnership. We also offer opportunities for recognizing and maintaining healthy boundaries.
Family counseling is important to successfully addressing issues related to family relationships especially in relation to substance abuse, domestic violence/anger management, co-occurring disorders, and youth behavioral issues. As such we highly recommend incorporating family counseling into treatment plans for all clients of TFSC. Family counseling is held as a group with all members of the family unit and provides a safe and open environment to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and alter negative behavior patterns to address issues in a holistic manner.
Parent Support Groups
Parent Support Groups are offered as a part of our youth services, as well as independently to parents and guardians in the community. Parent support groups are designed to provide resources and information to parents/guardians about parenting techniques, communication skills, risk factors, warning signs and resources in the community available to help you and your child.
