Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This may be dating myself, but I don’t really care. This is such a life lesson that holds true even today in the world of recommending treatment programs for families. I will explain this fairy tale with the young adults I work with. None have asked me directly who Goldilocks and the Three Bears are, but I’m waiting for it. And when that day arrives, I’ll officially know I’m old.

When I present program or resource recommendations to the young adults I work with, I always give choices. Often, I’ll start with 5-6 options for the parents if there are that many options that fit what we’re looking for, and then they’ll narrow it down to somewhere between 3-4 options for their young adult to choose. I also frontload to the young adult that as they’re interviewing these programs, they’re gathering the information, both objective and subjective, and “trying on” the program to see if it fits. Is there therapist a fit? Is the community a fit? Is the town a cultural fit? Those are just a few areas where a young adult is assessing fit. Just like Goldilocks, trying to find the porridge, chair, and bed that feel “just right.”

During these interviews it sometimes becomes obvious that someplace is too big, too small, too structured, or too unstructured. That’s okay to identify that, in fact, we want this to happen! This is a process of finding that “perfect fit.” Now, of course, nothing is perfect. But what we’re aiming for is a program that will check most of the boxes that the young adult identifies that they want and need. That way the areas that aren’t a match, they understand what they’re temporarily compromising if they enroll. Having all the information, and making sure of the fit, it is super important. Just ask Goldilocks.

For questions or comments contact Joanna.