Life Skills — Youth

John has worked with middle school and high school students and teenagers since 1973. As a state certified school psychologist he believes that a developmental approach to understanding adolescence is essential to guiding young people toward adulthood.

The schema John uses involves the developmental tasks of adolescence (with thanks to Eugene Dulit, MD):

1. growing into one’s sexuality
2. learning to integrate aggression vs. assertiveness
3. moving from dependence to independence to interdependence
4. establishing an identity
5. understanding how one is unique without grandiosity or despair
6. moving into formal operational thinking
7. shifting primary relationships from the family to peer groups
8. coming to terms with the new and emerging body

Using music, sensory awareness, experiential activities and language based upon respect and inclusion for all, John has had great success in helping young people develop an awareness of themselves that leads to future happiness and success.

Recent workshops John has led include:

• How To Get Along With Your Parents
• Relationships and Friends
• Peacemaking
• Transitions: Moving from Middle School to High School
• He Says/She Says: What Is Your Message?