Media Release

January 8, 2003

Media Contacts:

Rosann Doran
Broomfield Public Information Officer
303.438.6308

Need help to communicate with your teens?

Parents and caregivers wanting to communicate more effectively with their teenage children are invited to participate in a 10-week program sponsored by Broomfield’s Health and Human Services Department.

Public Health Nurse Carol McDonald and John Mowery, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), will co-facilitate the 10-week group sessions on Monday evenings beginning Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Broadlands conference room at 6 Garden Center.

Aside from their professional qualifications, McDonald and Mowery are both parents, and McDonald is the mother of two teens.

There is no cost for these sessions, but reservations are requested by Jan. 20. The group size is limited to 16, so acceptance is on a first come, first served basis but may continue on an ongoing basis if there are spaces available. For more information or to reserve a space, please call Carol at 720-887-2247 or John at 720-887-2206.

These communication classes are geared for any parent who may be having concerns regarding their handling of communications with their children. The program is based on the clinical psychology principles of improving the whole person.

The programs involve local groups of parents in weekly sessions covering parenting topics such as understanding the child's behavior and emotions, using encouragement, listening and communicating more effectively, disciplining by using natural and logical consequences rather than punishment, establishing family meetings, and developing confidence as a parent. A goal is to improve the child's self-concept and dignity.

A majority of the parent education and clinical interventions within this coursework is based on Adlerian Parenting Programs.

Depending on community response, these sessions may become ongoing, three to four times yearly.