A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery, Set

How practitioners can work with young male clients within a gender-responsive treatment program Adverse life events can impact boys, young men, transgender, and nonbinary people in a variety of ways. For example, these events can create significant impairment in neural development which can lead to weakened critical thinking, diminished emotional intelligence, and increased antisocial behavior. Statistics show that without trauma-focused interventions, treatment programs are inadequate in helping young men—estimated to account for 68% of all teens struggling with substance use disorder—to achieve sustained abstinence that leads to recovery. For those boys who are transgender or present as nonbinary, the rate of those struggling with substance use disorder is even higher. A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery provides practical guidance on implementing an effective trauma-informed, gender-responsive treatment program that addresses the impact of socialization, adverse life experiences, and substance use. This comprehensive guide explains the theoretical foundation and real-life connection between trauma and substance use, and provides clear guidelines and actionable strategies for treating boys and young men challenged by trauma and substance use disorder. It also: Provides guidance on integrating evidence-based interventions, mindfulness techniques, and experiential activities Includes the topics of adverse childhood experiences, male socialization, sense of self, communication, sexuality, relational aggression, and building healthy relationships Examines trauma's impact on families, mental health, and addictive behavior Discusses the key elements of strength-based approaches and mentoring A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery Edition is an invaluable resource for practitioners working with male adolescents in mental health clinics, juvenile justice facilities, and residential and outpatient facilities.

Table of Contents:
Introduction for the Facilitator Part 1. Trauma in the Lives of Boys and Young Men             The Need for a Trauma-Informed Program for Treating Substance Use Disorders in Young Men    The Impact of Trauma on Boys    Prevalence of Problems Associated with Trauma and Substance Use            Gender and Developmental Awareness Principles Part 2. Theoretical Foundation     Theories of Adolescent Psychological Development            Trauma The Process of Trauma   Common Responses to Trauma   Triggers and Retraumatization     Dissociation and Grounding          Trauma and Substance Use Disorders        Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Services            The Therapeutic Environment      Creating Safety  Dealing with Current Trauma        Part 3. The Program         Design of the Facilitator Guide     Materials Needed for Each Session            Part 4. Facilitation            Prior to the Session          Knowing the Boys and Young Men in Your Group  Co-facilitating    Tips on Conducting a Group Session          Considerations for Facilitators     Special Considerations for Juvenile and Adult Justice Settings          Module A: Myself             Session One: Welcome, Introduction, and Building Our House         This Session        Welcome and Introductions         Being Ourselves in a Group           Building Our House (Mutual Agreements) The Word Cloud Five Senses          Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Two: A Sense of Self         This Session        My Place              Feelings, Beliefs, and Values         My Castle (Outside)          My Castle (Inside)             My Place (Variation)        Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Three: A Boy’s World       This Session        Palms Up, Palms Down   Collage of Gender Expectations   The Anger Funnel              The Container    Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Four: Introduction to Trauma       This Session        The Fight or Flight Response         Breathing            Trauma Posttraumatic Stress Disorder      The ACE Questionnaire   Other Traumatic Events  Trauma Can Shape Our Belief Systems      Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity                 Module B: Communication and Connections          Session Five: Communication and Connections      This Session        Healing Light      Living Your Values            Barriers to Healthy Connections  Other Ways We Communicate     Four Communication Styles          Practicing Communication Styles Progressive Muscle Relaxation     Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Six: Abuse and Conflict    This Session        Square Breathing              Abusive Relationships      Soothing and Grounding: Self-Mastery Techniques              A Physical Grounding Technique  The Container    Yoga      Conflict Resolution: The STARE Technique              Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Seven: Mothers  This Session        Breathing            What Do Mothers Do?    My Mom              Letter to My Mom            Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Eight: Fathers      This Session        What Do Fathers Do?      My Dad Letter to My Dad              Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Module C: Relationships Session Nine: Friendship This Session        Power and Relationships Discussion Questions       The Relationship Wheel Characteristics of Effective Relationships Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Ten: Gender and Sexuality             This Session        Dating and Sexuality        Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation    Masculinity and Femininity            My Ideal Partner               Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Eleven: Barriers to Healthy Relationships  This Session        Teen Equality Wheel        Control and Abuse            Supportive Relationships Sample Relationship Map              Your Relationship Map    Ending Relationships        Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Module D: Healthy Living               Session Twelve: Our Bodies          This Session        Healthy Living Scale         Body Image        Improving Your Body Image         Healthy and Unhealthy Eating      Emotional Wellness         Expressing Feelings          Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Thirteen: Dealing with Life as It Happens  This Session        Understanding Addiction               Coping with Stress            Spirituality           Self-Care (SEEDS)              Reflection           Between-Sessions Activity             Session Fourteen: Endings and Beginnings              This Session        Healing Masks    Decision Making               Celebrating One Another               Appendices         Appendix 1. Five Senses Cards      Appendix 2. Local Resources        Appendix 3. Grounding and Self-Soothing Activities             Appendix 4. Yoga Poses  Appendix 5. Optional Activity (Sessions Nine and Eleven)    Appendix 6: Redefining Gender    Appendix 7:  Healing Mask            Appendix 8:  Optional Activity (Session Fourteen)  References          Feedback Form  About the Authors            Additional Publications   

About the Author :
Stephanie S. Covington, PhD, LCSW, is co-director of the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender and Justice, and has served on the faculties of the University of Southern California and the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Covington specializes in the development and implementation of gender-responsive and trauma-informed services. Roberto Rodriguez, MA, LMFT, has over 12 years of experience working in intensive outpatient and residential settings in the treatment of substance use disorders. He currently provides trauma-informed interventions, counseling, and individual and family therapy, He is the co-author of Exploring Trauma: A Brief Intervention for Men with Dr. Stephanie Covington.