I. Seminars for Parent Associations and Organizations

a.Academic communities

i. “Parenting for Safety” (Parents of Middle School and Secondary School students)

ii. “Parenting for Transition”

1.Middle School (Parents of Grade 8)

2.Upper School (Parents of Seniors)

iii. “Five M’s of Parenting” (Modeling, Motivating, Mediating, Monitoring, and Mentoring)

1.Middle School (All Parents)

2.Upper School (All Parents)

iv. “Re-defining Success” (Parents of children at any level)

1.Achievement vs. Character?

2.Leveling the “playing field” without changing our children

3.Challenging our current culture

v. “The Chemical Climate” (Parents of children of all ages)

1.Current chemical (drug) trends

2.Regional differences in “drugs of choice”

3.Definitions and patterns of usage

4.Addiction vs. Dependency

II. Weekend Seminars—Offered only through direct contact with Richard Ryan. (Minimum: 13 Parents/Maximum: 33 Parents)

III. Individual consultation with Richard Ryan, MA (Fee-based services)

a.Parents who are experiencing difficulty with an adolescent who is having issues with alcohol, marijuana, or other potential dependencies (eating issues, gambling, “gaming,” internet)

b.Parents who have a family member with who has a “history” of troublesome chemical use/abuse. A “history” includes chronic use of a substance (or display of a specific behavior) and/or use of a substance (or display of a specific behavior) with considerable potential consequences. Use is considered “chronic” depending on the age of experimentation (for intoxication or other sensation resulting in a significant change in the brain), the drug or behavior of choice, and the current age of the user. For instance, an adolescent who uses marijuana (consisting of average current potency) can potentially become dependent in a matter of three to six months.

c.Parents who are seeking changes in their children’s environment.

d.Parents who are seeking intervention for their child’s behavior.

e.Parents who are seeking treatment options for their children.

IV. Intervention (There is a flat fee for interventions, plus all reasonable expenses)

a.Pre-intervention Education

i. The first step for the family includes meetings with Richard Ryan.

ii. Readings and written work will be assigned and reviewed by Richard Ryan.

iii. Treatment options will be made available and reviewed.

iv. Escort services, if needed, will be provided at an additional cost.

v. Intervention

b.Richard Ryan will stay involved with the family for the first six months of the patient’s recovery plan. (Included in the fee for the intervention.)

c.On-going consultation with Richard Ryan is available following the first six months of the patient’s treatment plan. (Fee billed at an hourly rate, or by blocks of time, at the client’s preference.)

When a family chooses to treat existent issues of chemical abuse and/or chemical dependency, it takes the first step in breaking the cycle of a (frequently) genetically-based family history. The ripple effect this has is profound in that it affects generations of future progeny, as well as ameliorating the current suffering caused by chemical dependency. While this debilitating and--finally--fatal disease is progressive in nature, it is very treatable, the more so if intervened upon in the early and middle stages.

Richard Ryan is personally committed to ensuring that each family is treated with the dignity and respect to which everyone is entitled when facing such a sensitive task as the treatment of a loved one for chemical dependency.

Intervention is an educational and interactive process that entails what is referred to as “affective insight.”  Because a hallmark of the chemically- dependent is their inability to recognize the progression of their own disease, it is essential that family and friends provide the seminal information necessary to enlighten the individuals as to the very condition that has been the cause of their sustained suffering and isolation. It is through this specific committed act of love that identified people with chemical dependency are most likely to seek the help they need to embrace recovery and begin the journey that will lead to a joyous and productive life.