Coaches, Mentors and A Whole Lot of Tenacity: Wrapping Families With the Support They Need to Heal from Addiction with Lori Thompson

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
Families who have a child or children with substance use disorder often have struggles other families don't ever experience or know about. Having a coach and mentor to come alongside you is invaluable when it comes to navigating the tricky family dynamics involved. My guest in this episode brings a wealth of hands-on experience working with teens, young adults and parents as they work to overcome addiction and restore relationships.

Lori Thompson leads a team of parent coaches and young adult mentors in Wonder's Colorado region and took the time to share her thoughts and perspectives with me. You'll hear from Lori:

• how her experience as both a sheriff deputy and a middle-school resource officer helped prepare her for a career as a counselor
• the similarities she sees in kids when they're struggling with substance use and some of what she believes are the root causes for their struggle
• the impact COVID-19 has had on teens and young adults who are currently in treatment
• why it's so important for parents to give their kids "a little bit of rope" in these days of constant connection
• what we'd hear in a mentoring session if we were a fly on the wall
• how her team deals with kids who are only participating in mentoring because their parents forced them to
• the vital role of vulnerability in the process of parenting an adolescent or young adult child with substance use disorder
• why it's important for parents to find the objective middle ground between catastrophizing and putting your head in the sand
• why she sits a little longer when things get really tough with a kid and everyone else has left the room
• and so much more

Lori is a warm, compassionate, and insightful soul who I know you'll gain a lot from in this very meaningful episode.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Lori Thompson, Wonder Colorado
• Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
• The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris

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