A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery, Set

How practitioners can work with young male clients within a gender-responsive treatment program

Adverse life events can impact boys, young men, transgender, and nonbinary people in a variety of ways. For example, these events can create significant impairment in neural development which can lead to weakened critical thinking, diminished emotional intelligence, and increased antisocial behavior. Statistics show that without trauma-focused interventions, treatment programs are inadequate in helping young men—estimated to account for 68% of all teens struggling with substance use disorder—to achieve sustained abstinence that leads to recovery. For those boys who are transgender or present as nonbinary, the rate of those struggling with substance use disorder is even higher.

A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery provides practical guidance on implementing an effective trauma-informed, gender-responsive treatment program that addresses the impact of socialization, adverse life experiences, and substance use. This comprehensive guide explains the theoretical foundation and real-life connection between trauma and substance use, and provides clear guidelines and actionable strategies for treating boys and young men challenged by trauma and substance use disorder. It also:

• Provides guidance on integrating evidence-based interventions, mindfulness techniques, and experiential activities
• Includes the topics of adverse childhood experiences, male socialization, sense of self, communication, sexuality, relational aggression, and building healthy relationships
• Examines trauma's impact on families, mental health, and addictive behavior
• Discusses the key elements of strength-based approaches and mentoring

A Young Man's Guide to Self-Mastery Edition is an invaluable resource for practitioners working with male adolescents in mental health clinics, juvenile justice facilities, and residential and outpatient facilities.

Stephanie S. Covington, PhD, LCSW, is co-director of the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender and Justice, and has served on the faculties of the University of Southern California and the California School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Covington specializes in the development and implementation of gender-responsive and trauma-informed services.

Roberto Rodriguez, MA, LMFT, has over 12 years of experience working in intensive outpatient and residential settings in the treatment of substance use disorders. He currently provides trauma-informed interventions, counseling, and individual and family therapy, He is the co-author of Exploring Trauma: A Brief Intervention for Men with Dr. Stephanie Covington.

Introduction for the Facilitator

Part 1. Trauma in the Lives of Boys and Young Men            

The Need for a Trauma-Informed Program for Treating

Substance Use Disorders in Young Men   

The Impact of Trauma on Boys   

Prevalence of Problems Associated with Trauma and Substance Use           

Gender and Developmental Awareness Principles

Part 2. Theoretical Foundation    

Theories of Adolescent Psychological Development           

Trauma

The Process of Trauma  

Common Responses to Trauma  

Triggers and Retraumatization    

Dissociation and Grounding         

Trauma and Substance Use Disorders       

Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Services           

The Therapeutic Environment     

Creating Safety 

Dealing with Current Trauma       

Part 3. The Program        

Design of the Facilitator Guide    

Materials Needed for Each Session           

Part 4. Facilitation           

Prior to the Session         

Knowing the Boys and Young Men in Your Group 

Co-facilitating   

Tips on Conducting a Group Session         

Considerations for Facilitators    

Special Considerations for Juvenile and Adult Justice Settings         

Module A: Myself            

Session One: Welcome, Introduction, and Building Our House        

This Session       

Welcome and Introductions        

Being Ourselves in a Group          

Building Our House (Mutual Agreements)

The Word Cloud

Five Senses         

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Two: A Sense of Self        

This Session       

My Place             

Feelings, Beliefs, and Values        

My Castle (Outside)         

My Castle (Inside)            

My Place (Variation)       

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Three: A Boy’s World      

This Session       

Palms Up, Palms Down  

Collage of Gender Expectations  

The Anger Funnel             

The Container   

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Four: Introduction to Trauma      

This Session       

The Fight or Flight Response        

Breathing           

Trauma

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder     

The ACE Questionnaire  

Other Traumatic Events 

Trauma Can Shape Our Belief Systems     

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Module B: Communication and Connections         

Session Five: Communication and Connections     

This Session       

Healing Light     

Living Your Values           

Barriers to Healthy Connections 

Other Ways We Communicate    

Four Communication Styles         

Practicing Communication Styles

Progressive Muscle Relaxation    

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Six: Abuse and Conflict   

This Session       

Square Breathing             

Abusive Relationships     

Soothing and Grounding: Self-Mastery Techniques             

A Physical Grounding Technique 

The Container   

Yoga     

Conflict Resolution: The STARE Technique             

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Seven: Mothers 

This Session       

Breathing           

What Do Mothers Do?   

My Mom             

Letter to My Mom           

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Eight: Fathers     

This Session       

What Do Fathers Do?     

My Dad

Letter to My Dad             

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Module C: Relationships

Session Nine: Friendship

This Session       

Power and Relationships

Discussion Questions      

The Relationship Wheel

Characteristics of Effective Relationships

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Ten: Gender and Sexuality            

This Session       

Dating and Sexuality       

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation   

Masculinity and Femininity           

My Ideal Partner              

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Eleven: Barriers to Healthy Relationships 

This Session       

Teen Equality Wheel       

Control and Abuse           

Supportive Relationships

Sample Relationship Map             

Your Relationship Map   

Ending Relationships       

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Module D: Healthy Living              

Session Twelve: Our Bodies         

This Session       

Healthy Living Scale        

Body Image       

Improving Your Body Image        

Healthy and Unhealthy Eating     

Emotional Wellness        

Expressing Feelings         

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Thirteen: Dealing with Life as It Happens 

This Session       

Understanding Addiction              

Coping with Stress           

Spirituality          

Self-Care (SEEDS)             

Reflection          

Between-Sessions Activity            

Session Fourteen: Endings and Beginnings             

This Session       

Healing Masks   

Decision Making              

Celebrating One Another              

Appendices        

Appendix 1. Five Senses Cards     

Appendix 2. Local Resources       

Appendix 3. Grounding and Self-Soothing Activities            

Appendix 4. Yoga Poses 

Appendix 5. Optional Activity (Sessions Nine and Eleven)   

Appendix 6: Redefining Gender   

Appendix 7:  Healing Mask           

Appendix 8:  Optional Activity (Session Fourteen) 

References         

Feedback Form 

About the Authors           

Additional Publications   

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