Many youth have more powerful relationships with drugs than with people in their lives. The authors describe connections to chemicals as "drugships." They offer strength-based principles for helping these youth replace drugships with meaningful relationships. (Contains 17 references.) (Author)

The Conflict Cycle model offers a practical strategy for understanding how mutual interactions can create timelines of stress, feeling, and thinking that can easily escalate into undesirable outcomes. This article applies this model to resolving conflicts which arise in family situations. (Contains 1 figure.)

Monty Roberts is a real life "horse whisperer" who creates connections between horses and humans. This article extends these concepts to the challenge of connecting with guarded, distrustful youth. It presents a description of one youth, followed by seven profiles that are compilations of the work of Nicholas Long, Frank Fecser, and Mary Wood…

The effects of trauma can roll on unchecked like a spirit of death. In its path are strewn its once vibrant victims. Human bonds are rent asunder by the disgrace of trauma. These are the youngsters who have been verbally bashed, physically battered, sexually assaulted, and spiritually exploited. Other traumas of childhood neglect include: (1)…

Maltreatment in the family occurs through a variety of forms of abuse and neglect. These risks are particularly prevalent in families with parents who abuse substances. The author describes connections between parental addiction and coping behaviors used by the children in these high-risk families. Strength-based strategies enable these youth to…

Author recounts his personal experiences growing up as a youth of color and subsequent work as a youth counselor. Argues that all young people choose purposive behavior based on competing inborn motivational systems. Fear in any degree is an innate protective mechanism, but racism is an irrational fear. Provides strategies for confronting…