New Perspectives
HOMEWARD BOUND
New Perspectives
Oct 29, 2005, 09:18

Family Transition Management
Pleasant Grove, Utah
Tim Thayne, Founder
801-763-5664
Website

Homeward Bound, which appears to be one of the latest additions to the family coaching arena, was established by Dr. Tim Thayne in 2005 to address the alarming problem of adolescent regression that occurs after students return from a wilderness therapy and/ or residential treatment setting.

Homeward Bound provides the youth and their family with a variety of services including, individual and family counseling, coaching, mentoring, family services planning and interagency coordination. The transition model used by Homeward Bound was developed by William Bridges, PhD. A PhD level specialist will work with the student's current program prior to their discharge, and then enters the family system to accurately assess the situational and personal challenges.

The program believes that when an adolescent returns home from a wilderness or residential treatment program, the single largest deterrent they face is how to successfully apply the newly learned behavioral skills to their interactions with family, peer groups and/or the "real world."

Homeward Bound utilizes a four phase process that lasts about six months. In these phases there is an emphasis on evaluating family dynamics, the philosophy of the previous treatment program, parental involvement and the adolescent's progress. Next, the family is provided with in-home guidance to help them establish rules, boundaries and goals, while clarifying their individual commitments to the aftercare process. In the last two phases they add an educational component and offer continued support to the family.

Editors Note: The information used in this New Perspective was gathered from the Homeward Bound website.