"Positive Youth Development (PYD) is a theoretical approach that has been implemented by Shortridge Academy of NH during the last three years," said Research Consultant Dr. Kristine Baber, August 22nd on Lon Woodbury's Internet Talk Show "Parent Choices for Struggling Teens" on LATalkRadio.
"PYD is based on Positive Psychology and the recovery movement and focuses on a student's strengths and partnering with adults as a grounding philosophy," added Founder and Owner Adam Rainer, "rather than the usual approach of mainstream psychology that focuses solely on deficit reduction through developing and treating a diagnosis."
"PYD provides a creative lens and a transparent structure that supports the integration of the counseling, experiential activities, academics and other important elements of a school," pointed out Ex. Dir. Don Vardell, "which creates a stronger sense of community by engaging students, staff and parents as part of our intimate school community."
"This is a power sharing approach," they concluded, "which empowers the students by someone taking their ideas on enhancing the school seriously, encourages staff to collaborate with the strengths of the students, and helps parents do their role better through the resultant co-parenting and authoritative skill building."
Lon Woodbury, MA, IECA, CEP is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports, Inc and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984, and is the Host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00 Noon, PT.
Shortridge Academy is a year round, college preparatory, therapeutic boarding school for young men and women ages 14-17 years old at enrollment, grades 9-12.