HEALTHY FAMILY CONNECTIONS

In this episode Neil welcomes in the New Year of 2019 with a New Year’s Resolution for us all; a mindset of Kindness. Neil starts with Kindness towards “the self” and how powerful and productive this can be. He moves on to Kindness towards the earth, our families, and random acts of kindness. Neil wants the listener to understand that a Kindness Mindset can improve our mental health, and the mental health of everyone we encounter. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

Episode Description: In this episode, Neil responds to a mother wanting to decide when to reinstate privileges lost by her 16 year-old son for acting out. Neil takes on the many languages and philosophies for setting and implementing limits with teens. He introduces his tool, The Gap, to shift responsibility for reinstating lost privileges from parents to teens thus ending Control Battles and supporting essential teen learning and growing. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a Father who wants advice on how to respond to his daughter’s request to leave the college she just started, and come home. Neil speaks to the challenges of this profound life transition that often does not get the attention it deserves. Neil also explains how certain characteristics in families can offer young adult support at the expense of independence in some and independence at the expense of support in others. Neil gives this father an example of how he can speak with his daughter about staying and giving college a chance. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a mother who is wondering how family therapy would address a negative pattern in her family beyond what might be offered by parenting advise. Neil takes the opportunity of her question to explain some of the basic tenants of family therapy and he demonstrates dialogue that might be used in family therapy with this mother’s family. In this demonstration, Neil empowers each family member to “starve the beast” or change the negative pattern in the family. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a mother who is struggling with her 16 year old son, a positive young man who wants to please, but he gets himself in serious trouble every couple of months. This mother is concerned because Dad thinks their son is insincere and acting the part of the nice kid to get what he wants and she is feeling the fool for supporting him. Neil explains moral development and how some acting out teens have not internalized a value system, but others have and he reassures this Mom that her son does have an internalized value system, but is in a self-destructive cycle, supported by a family control battle. Neil gives this mother the necessary steps to end the control battle and support her son out of his self-destructive cycle. Neil challenges listeners to avoid shaming teens when they make bad decisions and instead ask the question, “why is a good kid like you, making bad decisions like this?” Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a mother who is wondering if she is doing by sending her son to weekly therapy. He is socially isolated, plays endless video games, doesn’t eat or sleep well, and is anxious and depressed. Neil explains that it isn’t going to be helpful because Mom doesn’t know what is underlying his behavior and her son is unmotivated and doesn’t have insight into is own issues either. Neil suggests psychological testing as a way to understand his issues; his strengths and the areas he needs to work on, and how best to work on them. Neil challenges listeners that when they are concerned about the behaviors of the children, teens, and young adults they are parenting or working with, to be sure they understand what is driving the behavior and be sure to own their part of the solution. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a question from a mother who is wondering if Dads tend to be peacekeepers and because of that, support mediocrity while Moms support high standards and peace through accomplishment. Neil explains the many circumstances that feed this common dynamic but Neil doesn’t stop there. He offers a way forward so that these negative patterns don’t prevail. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil shares his childhood, young adult and professional journey and how he came to see family therapy as an opportunity for powerful change. In this rare and untypical podcast, Neil goes beyond his thoughts about families, children and teens, and takes on the bigger issues of our society, our political structure, and our planet. Neil does come “back to earth” and offers ways address these issues in families. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a mother whose teenage son has IBS and won’t change his eating habits. Neil explains IBS and leaky gut syndrome and offers this mother a way to push reset in her relationship with her son and empower him to take responsibility for his health. Neil reminds this mother and listeners that we can’t rely on medicine or the medical community to make us healthy or happy; that we all have to be in charge of that for ourselves. Neil points out that the agricultural industry has too much influence over our eating habits and we need to retake control for ourselves. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil responds to a mother whose teenage son decided to leave home rather than accept parental consequences and go to therapy. Neil speaks to the importance of kids having a positive healthy welcoming social environment in which to thrive. He addresses the challenges presented to immigrant parents knowing how to advocate for their children in US institutions such as the medical community and schools. In this episode Neil reviews the options of “out of the home programs” and in the home and community treatment. He uses a Santa Cruz County program, Food What, a youth empowerment and food justice organization as an example of a healthy healing positive peer culture. http://www.foodwhat.org Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil talks about the importance of helping our kids develop their executive function by addressing it explicitly. After reviewing a book by Dr. Lara Honos-Webb, Brain Hacks; 50 Strategies and Tips to Improve Executive Functioning—Get Organized, Work Smarter, and Stay Cool Under Pressure, Neil shares his excitement about the empowerment and motivation he experienced and shows how he uses teaching the Big Five areas of executive functioning to his clients in therapy sessions. Neil challenges listeners to make improving executive functioning a family affair. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil answers a question from a psychiatrist who sees certain young adults who need clear limits from their parents, but wonders how to say it so that it isn’t judgmental or out of line. The doctor doesn’t want to keep offering medication trials and avoid the real issue. Neil explains that doctors and all helpers can only offer their knowledge, skill, and tools of the trade, but clients must all take responsibility for their own wellness. Neil shows listeners how to explain the role of family dynamics to families so that they take the next step to action. Neil challenges all listeners to recognize that family dynamics are at play, when the patient isn’t investing in their own recovery. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

: In this episode Neil answers a question from Karen who wants to help your young adult niece “get her shit together”. Neil speaks to the importance and delicacy of establishing a mentoring relationship with an under-functioning young adult. In this podcast, Neil demonstrates a method that can be powerful, helpful, and non-judgmental. In the end, he calls on all family, friends, and professional helpers to be willing to take on mentorship, but to do it in a way that supports the young adult’s goals, and not theirs. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil speaks to an article by Claire Cain Miller of the NY Times regarding woman who change their plans and become at home mom’s after their first child is born. Neil received a question from Judy and Sandy of the Mighty Parenting Podcast about whether this is an example of “over-parenting”. Neil explains what’s different about raising kids today and why being proactive and conscious, as a parent is a good thing. Neil also warns against some common parenting traps that undermine the intentions of good parenting. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit

In this episode Neil answers a question from a mother about her 19-year-old son. She’s concerned about his anger issues and tells a story about him cheating and blowing up at a card game with family friends. Neil expresses concern that her son is developing a personality disorder and he explains a bit about that disorder. He explains to Mom that her attempts to help her son are in the form of a Control Battle, and he offers her a way to role model apologizing and a positive way to communicate high standards and accountability. Have a question for Neil? Submit it now for discussion on a future episode of The Healthy Family Connections Podcast: http://neildbrown.com/submit