After decades of working with all sorts of children and teens, I have seen a few who are what I would consider truly troubled. Even though I have some limited training in how to minister to their parents, I am not a counselor nor have I raised a child who was troubled. I am always searching for resources though, that may help parents through a valley that must seem impossibly deep and wide.
Recently, I was offered the opportunity to review You Are Not Alone: Hope for Hurting Parents of Troubled Kids by Dena Yohe. Yohe has written a guidebook of sorts for parents who are traveling down the road she has followed. Her daughter struggled with cutting, substance abuse, depression and more. Yohe doesn’t appear to attempt to sugar coat what her family experienced as they tried to help their daughter find a healthier path for herself.
Even though I haven’t personally traveled this road, much of the advice she gives is fairly standard for those in families trying to deal with the addictions of loved ones. I think the advantage in this book is that it’s from a Christian perspective and both she and her daughter share their personal feelings, thoughts and struggles as they worked through everything.