Parenting Expert Explores Best Ways to Work with Difficult Families

Counseling difficult youth and challenging parents can be immensely frustrating or splendidly gratifying, according to nationally known author and parenting expert John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D. The University of Montana professor will visit Georgian Court University and Red Bank Catholic High School during two days of workshops in early November.

On Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m., Dr. Sommers-Flanagan will discuss "Understanding and Using Adult Power and Influence" at RBC. This free event is co-sponsored by Red Bank Catholic High School and Georgian Court University's CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling program.

"Most parents and teachers want to be a positive influence on the children and teens in their lives," says Dr. Sommers-Flanagan. "This workshop will focus on four different strategies that parents and teachers can employ to naturally and effectively maximize their positive influence on youth."

Specific influence skills to be discussed include: (a) Grandma’s rule, (b) limit-setting, (c) mutual problem-solving, (c) adopting a new attitude, (e) character feedback, (f) special time, and more. Participants will be provided with access to free tip sheets on the presenter’s blog. To attend the November 7 event, parents, educators and others who work with families are encouraged to attend. No registration is needed.

On Friday, November 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Dr. Sommers-Flanagan will address area social workers and counseling professionals at Georgian Court University's historic Lakewood campus. During the Friday workshop, he will share stories, insights, principles, and techniques for working with challenging youth and their parents. Participants will learn 10 top techniques that they can immediately implement in their counseling work. Registration for the three-hour session is $40 and includes a continental breakfast. Participants can earn 3 CEUs of professional development credit. Attendees should register online at http://www.georgian.edu/sommersflanaganworkshop.htm.

ABOUT JOHN SOMMERS-FLANAGAN
Dr. Sommers-Flanagan, a gifted writer and entertaining speaker, is a professor of counseling education and works as a mental health consultant with Trapper Creek Job Corps. He served as executive director of Families First Parenting Programs from 1995 to 2003 and was previously co-host of Montana Public Radio's, “What Is It with Men?” His work with youth and parents has been captured for educational purposes on a number of different local and national video productions.

He is also the author or co-author of over 40 professional publications, including such books as Tough Kids, Cool Counseling; Problem Child or Quirky Kid; and Working Effectively with Parents.  He is widely sought as a keynote speaker and professional workshop presenter throughout the United States and Canada.