Life at home was chaotic and unstructured, punctuated by domestic violence. So Georgia* did what many fearful and confused teens do: she ran away. Not once, but many times. She avoided adults, and didn’t trust those she came into contact with. Eventually, she turned to drugs and alcohol.

Therapists at Morrison’s Rosemont residential facility, where Georgia was referred, encountered an angry child with low self esteem who constantly found herself in destructive relationships. Staff built up trust with her and helped her control her impulsive behavior. To achieve further gains, her therapist wanted Georgia to examine her past and understand how it was dictating her current behavior. She believed that participation by Georgia’s family would accelerate Georgia’s recovery.

The family members—mother, stepfather and grandmother—had indicated they were unwilling to let Georgia come home again. Not only were her disappearances painful, but they underscored the unresolved issues that were tearing the family apart. So they were invited to join one of Rosemont’s family groups, where they could discuss their family dynamics in a setting with other families facing similar challenges.

Georgia's family immediately felt comfortable in the multi-family setting, quickly realizing that theirs wasn’t the only family engaged in painful, self-destructive behavior. As the sessions progressed, they began to air their past resentments and their secret concerns about their parenting shortcomings. They noted improvements in their treatment of each other, and took encouragement from the praise that greeted their efforts from other members of the group.

Communication within Georgia’s family has improved to the point where they are now ready to welcome Georgia back home. More importantly, she is willing to return, with the intent to stay. Her family members have faced the issues that drove her away in the first place and they have begun to put the anger and resentment of the past behind them so they can start a new life together.

More about Rosemont’s Family Engagement program
Other Success Stories

* Names and certain events have been changed to maintain confidentiality and to protect the children and families we serve