At the Dilworth Center, we believe that involvement and support of family members is an essential component of recovery. The Dilworth Kids Program for Children offers the younger children and siblings of our patients the benefit of disease education and age-appropriate group therapy.

Our program is designed to provide a curriculum that helps children ages 7 – 14 understand chemical dependency as a disease; how the disease impacts the family environment; and how they can cope and live a healthy and productive life while living within a family where chemical dependency is present.

The three-week, Dilworth Kids Program for Children is held once weekly for 2 ½ hours. Specific dates and times are determined monthly. Each session is divided by a break and refreshments are provided.

• Week One:
  “All About Me” and Good/Bad Habits – The session is designed to be a “groundbreaking” group. “Interviews” with each other and group introduction are non-threatening methods used to enable the counselor and group members to get to know each other on a more personal level. During this session the counselor will facilitate a discussion on good and bad habits and discuss how bad habits can turn into big problems.
  Age-Appropriate Chemical Dependency Education – Through the use of videos and art therapy, this session is designed to educate group members on chemical dependency as a disease and how the disease impacts family members.
• Week Two:
  Feelings and Communication of Feelings – This session is designed to educate group members on the many feelings associated with being part of a family where chemical dependency is present. The purpose of this session is to help group members understand the importance of communicating their feelings with a parent or other trusted adult.
  Anger Management – The purpose of this session is to equip group members with alternative ways of expressing the anger that is often felt by children in a family where chemical dependency is present. By the end of this session, we hope group members will understand that anger is a normal emotion which needs to be expressed in ways that are healthy, and not destructive.
• Week Three:
  Safety – This session is designed to educate group members on how to be safe in any situation that may arise from being with anyone who is under the influence of a mood-altering substance.
  Self-Esteem and Completion Process – During this session, group members are given an opportunity to point out the attributes of each member. This serves as a reminder to each child that they are unique and special. At the end of the program, each individual receives a certificate and silver aluminum coin signifying completion.