Helping Troubled Teens through an alternative to boot camp: MTC: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Christian Youth Ranch

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Camp for troubled teens


	Reality Therapy The success of Mount Carmel Youth Ranch lies in the exciting reality of the cowboy life with which the troubled teen finds Cowboy Teenhimself. Mount Carmel is a real working cattle ranch, run by ranchers whose interest in helping each troubled teen, is from a parental perspective. A parental relationship of trust naturally fosters the boys’ growth, like the friendship between a strong uncle and a beloved nephew, an older brother and a confused younger brother, or a patient father and a son that was lost and is now found. In these relationships each person discerns the troubled teens’ strengths and capabilities, assigning specific types of work which will spark his interest. Troubled TeenThrough work such as horse care, feeding baby calves, participating in cattle drives, building fences, and being a mechanic, the boy takes on responsibilities and learns self discipline. He quickly grasps that his own work in necessary for the survival of the ranch. Each troubled teen sees that he becomes part of something bigger than himself, he learns cooperation with a parental figure, and enjoys his confidence in work which builds self-esteem. The idea of Reality Therapy was a technique that Dr. William Glasser, used. Reality Therapy takes a very different approach. The problem is not that the standards set for troubled boys has been too high; the problem is that the boy’s behavior has been insufficient. Reality Therapy is a method of counseling based on Choice Theory and aimed at helping teens in trouble gain more effective control over their lives. A counselor using the principles of Reality Therapy helps at risk teens to face reality and meet their needs in the world. At risk teens can also use Reality Therapy to improve their success in the world. The process has been proven effective in education, parenting, and leadership. This type of behavioral modification lends itself to any situation where people need to learn how to satisfy their needs in responsible ways. Reality Therapy is based on the belief that we all choose what we do with our lives and that we are responsible for our choices. Responsibility is defined as learning to choose behaviors that satisfy our needs and, at the same time, do not deprive others of a chance to do the same. Reality Therapy rejects the concept of mental illness and focuses on the troubled teen’s behavior in his approach to therapy. The therapist becomes involved with the patient and helps him to examine his current behavior with a goal of improvement in the future. An individual who is frustrated, or is frustrating others, is taught to evaluate what he or she is Reality Therapy doing and, from this evaluation, learns to practice more effective (need- satisfying) behaviors Reality Therapy helps At risk teens learn to be in effective control of their lives. It is a noncoercive method of communicating that enhances people's ability to make effective, need-fulfilling choices. The Counseling Environment Reality Therapy requires a supportive environment where individuals can begin to make changes in their lives. Following are guidelines for creating this environment. 1. Be friendly and listen to the person. 2. Focus on present events, only focus on past events if they relate easily to the present situation. 3. Discuss feelings and physiological responses as part of total behavior; always relate feelings and physiology to concurrent actions and thoughts over which the person has more direct control. 4. Accept no excuses for irresponsible behavior, particularly when a person fails to do what he or she has expressed an intention to do. 5. Avoid punishing, criticizing, or attempting to protect the person from the reasonable consequences of behavior. Teaching the troubled youth responsibility is the most important concept in Reality Therapy. Glasser defines responsibility as "the ability to fulfill one’s needs and to do so in a way that does not deprive others of the ability to fulfill theirneeds." Any behavior which does not match this standard is regarded as irresponsible. According to Glasser, humans learn responsibility through relationships, primarily as children from parents. However, the process of becoming responsible is a life-long one. As situations change, each individual must adjust and find new ways of acting responsibly to meet his needs. When this is not done, irresponsible behavior results. With a focus on the present behavior rather than past events and subconscious motivations, counselors do not need a high level of training in order to be effective. They need only be able to recognize and reward responsible behavior and to offer correction to irresponsible behaviors. Chickens Sources Dakai, S.H. (2003). Addiction Counseling: Examination of various Addiction Counseling and Therapy Approaches. Journal of Addictive Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.breining.edu. http://choicetheory.com/rt.htm http://www.wglasser.com/whatisrt.htm