Neil D. Brown, LCSW, is a master psychotherapist who has worked with families, couples, and individuals for more than thirty years. Deeply steeped in the theory and practice of family therapy, Brown uses a systemic approach that allows him to understand the system, or context, in which problems are both formed and are healed. This approach has revealed a simple yet profound method of empowering parents and their adolescent youth to put an end to destructive control battles for good. Brown is a trainer of parents and mental health professionals. Additionally, Brown works in industry with teams and work groups to increase organizational effectiveness.
"Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle defines a purposeful and
mindful path through the often volatile minefield of life with a
defiant teen. Neil Brown's strong, experienced, and
always-to-the-point voice has helped our family clarify our
problematic journey with our teen grandson. His book brings
organization and rational thought to an often messy, disorderly
family dynamic. It reminds parents to envision our child as his
best self, and helps us to become our best parenting selves. Simply
put, this book has provided us the knowledge, hope, and courage to
greet each new teen-parenting day."
--Margaret Wilson, custodial grandparent
"As a marriage and family therapist for over thirty-six years, I
have worked with adolescents and their families, and have
encountered the control battles so insightfully described in Neil
Brown's Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle. I thoroughly enjoyed
reading the book for its clear language, warm tone, and pragmatic
content. The metaphor of 'the Beast' gives therapists and parents a
common language to describe the problem ('feeding the Beast') and
implement solutions ('starving the Beast'). The section about the
adolescent brain is also particularly helpful in describing and
understanding adolescent behavior. I believe that this book can
become an essential tool for therapists as well as parents in
promoting effective ways to support and guide adolescents."
--Carmen Arriaga, LMFT, RN, marriage and family therapist and
registered nurse in private practice, and adjunct faculty at Santa
Clara University's graduate program in counseling psychology
"As a pediatrician and father, I found this book to be of the
utmost importance for understanding the health and well-being of
families. When addressing any family problem, from seemingly minor
health issues to a devastating disease, we, as physicians, must
acknowledge the unique dynamics of the family system. Everything I
do as a pediatrician and parent involves these dynamics. The ideas
from this book will enable the reader to clearly understand
challenging dynamics with easy-to-understand advice to create
healthy parent-teen relationships. I highly recommend this book for
parents, therapists, educators, and healthcare practitioners
working with adolescents."
--Garry Crummer, MD, integrative pediatrics practitioner in Santa
Cruz, CA, and former clinical professor of pediatrics at the
University of California, San Diego School of Medicine's Division
of Community Pediatrics
"As a primary care physician trusted with the intricacies of family
dynamics within the office setting, this book has become an
instrumental tool in helping guide my communication between parents
and adolescents. It has helped me begin and execute a plan to help
families find help for destroying 'the Beast' that manifests not
only as emotional complaints, but also physical symptoms in both
parents and teens. But more importantly, it has given me guidance
as I navigate my own family dynamic. I am blessed to be the mom of
my own teen! Thank you, Neil Brown, for showing me how to refocus
our relationship and to stay positive. I highly recommend this book
to all families entering into the teen years!"
--Patricia Golden, DO, medical director of Wheaton Franciscan
Medical Group-Ascension Health Care Central Market Wisconsin, and
member of the American Academy of Family Practice
"If you have faith in yourself, your teen, and the irrepressible
power of family, you've struck gold with this book. Brown will
guide you step by step through 'taming the Beast' that often arises
when raising adolescents while guiding them to their highest
potential."
--Edward Farrar, LMFT, child, adolescent, and family specialist in
McMinnville, OR
"Neil Brown's Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle is an
exhilarating read for anyone who lives or works with teens. You'll
find a breakthrough insight on every page, from targeting the
control battle and not the teens themselves, to simple fixes for
reducing reactivity and negativity to stop control battles. No book
on parenting teens has felt so fresh and filled with so much
hard-won wisdom from decades in the consulting room as Ending the
Parent-Teen Control Battle. Brown's book is a gift to every parent
of a teen."
--Lara Honos-Webb, PhD, author of The ADHD Workbook for Teens
(www.addisagift.com)
"Neil Brown's book cuts through the cultural myths that have left
parents of adolescents shackled and confused. In clear,
easy-to-understand steps, he creates road maps toward solutions and
results. This book is a great resource for parents of 12- to
18-year-olds."
--Joe Newman, MA, author of Raising Lions
"Psychotherapist Brown offers a family-oriented approach to
teen-parent power struggles, illustrating how effective change will
require adjustments on both the parental and teen front ("It's not
the kid, it's not the parent--it's the pattern"). Brown offers
clear introductions to the three stages of adolescence,
demonstrating the typical developmental challenges followed by four
basic temperament types and how conflict between parent and child
can make common demands even trickier. Likening power struggles to
"The Beast," the author describes how to "starve" the metaphorical
creature of key nutrients such as reactivity and negative emotional
tones. VERDICT: Full of practical expectations, such as making
schoolwork a priority, helping out around the house, speaking
respectfully, and being a good role model to younger siblings,
Brown's work also provides sample dialogs and an encouraging style
that makes this holistic approach to what can be taxing years
thoughtful and encompassing. Warmly recommended."
--Library Journalstarred review
"With diligence, creativity, and an unwavering desire to help
families, Neil Brown has gifted both therapists and parents with
this expert book. Engagingly written, it offers a fresh look at the
'parent-teen control battle, ' and clearly outlines a method for
resolving it. Featuring a number of clinical vignettes, the book is
not only practical, but illuminating and inspiring as well. From a
psychiatrist's standpoint, I particularly appreciate how the book
addresses certain physiological considerations in teens. Recent
neuropsychological findings shed light on the development of the
teenage brain, further reframing and 'normalizing' some of the
challenges families face. Along with the methods set forth, this
knowledge helps to ease the despair of both parents and teens
caught in seemingly endless struggles. As a compassionate, widely
respected therapist, Neil Brown provides both hope and direction to
families seeking affirmative change."
--Andrew Kumasaka, MD, psychiatrist in private practice
"Written with a profound respect for both teens and parents, Neil
Brown traverses the rocky road of adolescence with wisdom and
practicality. As a family therapist, I have experienced parent-teen
control battles as one of the most challenging issues that many
families face. This guide book is filled with realistic and
relatable scenarios, extremely effective tools, and
relationship-enhancing strategies. Parents, as well as therapists,
will come away with a deep understanding of the stages and brain
changes of adolescence, the potential pitfalls of parenting, and
concrete steps to successfully navigate the challenges of raising a
teen."
--Andrea Wachter, LMFT, psychotherapist, coauthor of Mirror, Mirror
on the Wall and The Don't Diet; Live-It Workbook and author of
Getting Over Overeating for Teens
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