Local family sees major benefits from CFF therapy
Tina Bradford says, “There was a lot of yelling and fighting. It got to be pretty bad.”
Tina and her husband Glynn were near a breaking point with their fourteen- year- old daughter this summer. What they thought was normal teenage angst escalated to outright defiance.
Tina continues, “She kind of just didn’t like being at home. She didn’t like all of the yelling and fighting. She didn’t feel safe being here.”
Glynn goes on, “Being a father, I’m petrified that’s she’s going to go out there. I mean there’s so much pressure on girls these days.”
The Bradford’s tell 47 ABC when their relationship with their daughter got out of control, she moved in with a family friend. At that moment, at the end of July, their daughter’s counselor at Delaware Guidance suggested the family enter counseling with Children and Families First.
Tina says, “I needed help figuring out how to deal with a daughter, how to talk to her instead of yelling at her, and how to get her to talk to me.”
The Bradford’s are in the Family Assessment and Intervention Response, also known as the FAIR program.
Therapist Elizabeth Scheer comes to their home once a week. She’s been doing this for about a month and half now.
Scheer says, “Right now we’re in the phase of behavioral change. That’s where we look at the specific goals. What we’re looking at now is the communication piece as well as problem solving.”
Tina, Glynn, and their daughter are opening up.
Glynn says, “It is give and take. She gives a little bit. We give a little bit.”
Tina continues, “Believe it or not, it’s done wonders.”
The family says they still have a ways to go in improving their relationships. However, during the course of therapy the Bradford’s say their daughter has moved back home and is in school.
Tina says, “She walked up and gave me a hug and a kiss, just out of the blue. At first it was like ‘okay what was that for?’ Now it’s a regular thing now.”
The FAIR therapist tells 47 ABC she predicts the Bradford’s will spend about another month in the program. She also notes that for any other families experiencing similar issues at home call Children and Family First at 800-220-3092 or click here to visit their website.
