Psyche-Soul-ology

iUniverse, Inc.

Contents

Preface......................................................................ix1 Myths and Misperceptions...................................................12 Nature vs. Nurture: Developmental Issues...................................323 Abuse and Victimization of Kids............................................514 Criminality................................................................755 Substance Use and Addiction................................................896 Sexual Issues and Concerns.................................................1027 Intelligence, Talent and Potential.........................................1238 Psychological Issues and Concerns..........................................1409 Be Part of the Solution and Not 'Just Another Problem'.....................15810 Interview Techniques and First impressions................................17311 Focus and Funding Needs...................................................19312 Psyche-Soul-ology.........................................................213

Chapter One

Many people today talk a lot about "those kids", using various labels and phrases which do nothing to identify and assist the kids behind the labels they attach. However, very few people talk about "those adults" who are ineffective in their attempts to reach this misunderstood and mistreated group of kids. I am always amazed at the inappropriate and damaging techniques often used during interactions with kids in general, not only within the home/family context, but in various settings outside this context and by professionals who have supposedly been trained to teach, guide, or otherwise supervise kids. Some kids are actually more traumatized by adults outside their home/family environment than they are within it. I believe one of the main reasons for these mistakes is based in the unwillingness of many professionals to learn about other people, cultures and realities as part of their professional training. One of the most arrogant, ignorant, and damaging attitudes held by many adults, often referred to as "do-gooders", is the belief that: 'I already know enough, based on my own life experiences, to know how to assist every other group.' Or, even worse, are those adults who think everyone should see things their way and through their often biased and subjective ways of looking at life and the world. Furthermore, I am certain one of the main reasons for my effectiveness with troubled, high-risk kids is based in the fact I did everything I could to learn both from my past and from the realities many families face daily by literally going into those environments. I did so with the desire to learn about the people I wanted to serve before I ever tried to imagine how I could be of assistance to them on any level. This is part of what makes my professional life so rewarding and satisfying.

There is never a work day when I think 'I really don't want to go to work today'. Sure there are times when I think about getting a few extra hours of sleep, but that's never enough to make me call in sick or dread my day. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people anywhere simply because I love my job – literally everything about my job, except of course some of the paperwork. My work as a licensed clinical psychologist is truly my calling in life and that aspect about which I am the most passionate. All of this is due to the fact I get to work with some of the most wonderful and incredible kids in the world. The kids I am referring to are those at risk of having the greatest number of problems and getting into the most trouble because of numerous complicating factors, poor judgment, and lack of self-control. Webster's defines passion as an "intense, driving or overmastering feeling". It is associated with "ardent affection" and "a strong liking for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept." The affection I feel for my kids is that of simply pouring my heart into my work with them. When they succeed, fail, get injured, or die I am easily moved to tears because I have an emotional investment in them which exceeds my professional requirements. One of my co-workers said this is because "you give them your heart." My satisfaction comes through their success and the awareness I had at least some part in helping that happen.

In my first book At the Mercy of Externals: Righting Wrongs and Protecting Kids, 2nd Edition, I give some of the history of how I found my niche in the field of psychology. Because I'm sure you have already read that text I won't go into the historical aspects of my decision. However, I will go into the reasons I chose this population as the major focus of my professional efforts. Keep in mind that I grew up in the so-called "Deep South" and moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to begin my Ph.D. program in clinical psychology. As a European American I grew up surrounded by religious extremism and hatred based in the rawest forms of bigotry and prejudice. My introduction into the culture which is California was a bit of a shock at first, but I quickly learned to appreciate my surroundings and the people and diversity I encountered. In spite of having grown up in Alabama during the entire civil rights movement of the 1950's,- 60's and -70's I never bought into any of the racism. However, I didn't fully understand the horrors of discrimination and prejudice until I moved to Los Angeles. I am so grateful for the awakening I experienced through my graduate training, especially the experiences I had in and around East Los Angeles and Upper South Central Los Angeles.

My training with this population of kids labeled as at-risk, high-risk or troubled youth began in September 1992 as a predoctoral psychological intern in a gang prevention task force program literally located behind the Los Angeles County, University of Southern California (LACUSC) Medical Center. This is the hospital featured at the opening credits of "General Hospital", an old, but popular daytime soap opera from the past. I was working in Murchison Street Elementary School and the area of Ramona Gardens Housing Project, home of the Hazard Gang named for Hazard Park in the same area. The movie "American Me", filmed in the early 1990's, was shot in this specific area of East Los Angeles. I was working in a Family Service Center at the school with families and children primarily living in and around Ramona Gardens. I went into this area knowing I knew nothing about the culture of East LA, rather than thinking I knew everything I needed to know because of my graduate training toward my Ph.D. and previous degrees and life experiences and perspectives. Thank goodness I had already learned of the arrogance most European Americans exhibit in various respective fields when working with so-called minority populations. My ignorance and the awareness of my ignorance allowed me to be fully accepted by the people who lived within this community.

I remember the first few weeks of driving into an area most people were afraid to enter. In the mornings the gang members were still sleeping, but in the afternoons they would be hanging out on the street corners and would 'dog' me (stare at me) when I drove by. There was a four-way stop at the bottom of the hill where I would have to come to a complete stop. I could feel them staring at me and was always uncomfortable,...