More than 5700 delegates later, the International Conference for Psychology held in Cape Town South Africa was a complete and undeniable success. I presented a talk entitled the “Wild West of Wilderness Therapy” complete with research, literature review, and clips of interviews of students and staff from Wingate. Shayne Gallagher provided a demonstration of primitive skills, as the interviews ran in the background. So many professional psychologists reached out afterwards to ask how they could gain more perspective to use wilderness programs. Of course, days before and during the conference networking helped to increase the comfort of contacts in sending youth over to the US. Already, one family has come forth and moving forward to get help for their daughter. Another is in need of a recovery program. Still another is coming from Australia in need of structure for a young man with ADHD. The wonderful part is that we are speaking the same language of health and wellness. International options is our forte.

Second Nature Cascades to Cascades Crescent Transitions to New Leaf Academy to Academy at Sisters and to finally Dragon Fly Transitions —- all in three days. It’s positive stuff, and for parents and family members to recognize that there are options out there is important. Perhaps the biggest news is that there are communities of healing out there, invested in the transformation of individuals and family. If the existence of “family” is an investment you can support, and if yours is a family worth saving, then, consider our services in making a healthy family possible.

For many years now, I have provided written assessment and expert opinion to US Federal Immigration Court on behalf of client families of both US citizen and limited US resident status. Most of these families face deportation of the ‘primary bread winner’ who has limited status and acted unfavorably according to US laws and regulations. These are families who have limited resources, yet a strong back and a strong will to survive. In many instances, it is more ‘American’ in image and behavior than that I see of naturalized US Citizens who consider citizenship their ‘right’. Last week, a family of hispanic origin appeared in court with their small children to witness their father stand before the judge, an unknown future pending. Could he stay? Would he be deported immediately? Would the court case be suspended for up to another year? This turned out to be one of ‘lucky’ ones who had a competent lawyer, and the law on their side that day. I walked away from the court room in having provided my testimony to think, What a great privilege it is to work with those who have little in personal resource, yet everything in human spirit. We simply have the greatest country in the world, an America that welcomes all kinds and colors. I’m proud to be an American as we approach the 4th of July, 2012.

Some weeks ago, I received a call from a staff member at NBC Nightly News asking for my help in finding the thread of a story on suburban heroin use among young adults, particularly those of college age. I reflected for a moment on a CBS attempt to deal with a similar subject more than a year ago, and a producer who contacted me to help CBS produce a special on prescription drug abuse. I likened NBC’s interest to that of CBS, and suggested that they speak directly with outstanding primary recovery communities such as Mountainside in CT., and Four Circles in N.C., and Promises in Malibu in finding a “voice” of the suburban youth addict, and the families that suffer. In conversation after conversation, it became clear to me that the real concern here is of America – under -attack by a philosophy of a lack of identity, and community. Behind every drug abuser is a story of ‘who introduced whom’ to drugs, and a family that is simply left ‘baffled’. Brian Williams and his staff have certainly promoted this private, yet very much public concern to the forefront, but missed an important point. Families need to be ‘helped’ by finding Licensed Professional treatment practitioners (not educational consultants) who understand the family system and the individual’s diagnoses and necessary treatment planning. Dr Burdick knows the best programs and can find you that help. He has helped hundreds upon hundreds of families. Please contact us for your families’ continued health and production. Don’t wait — 877-571-2524.

4 CirclesAlways a joy to my clients doing well in recovery communities, and again, 4 circles doing “amazing” work. Thanks to Jack, Heather, Shane, and Meg for really helping to make my visit to Asheville a positive and productive one. North Carolina is one of those special places in the southeast that, well, “feels like home” and where people treat people with respect. 4 Circles mirrors that culture in treating their clients with compassion and humanity.