We believe one way that knowledge and wisdom may be gained is through respectful, sincere, and rational conversation.

The therapeutic environment of The Family Foundation School offers students many healthy ways to learn, change, and grow

. One of the most effective, in the 12-Step tradition, involves simple conversation. Conversing with others, telling stories and exchanging ideas can help a troubled teen work through his or her struggles by acquiring new information, knowledge and understanding. That’s the beginning of wisdom.

Each student here has a 12-Step sponsor whose job it is to listen, to ask questions, to guide the student’s observation and reflections, and to share his or her own experience, strength and hope. In conversing with sponsors, students learn about trust, openness and respect, and how conversations can both inspire and heal. They learn to speak what is on their minds and in their hearts, and to listen to what others have to say without judging or criticizing. The goal of such exchanges is not always to arrive at a specific answer or solution, but to experience “aha!” moments. To make connections, explore assumptions and generate ideas that can add to their store of knowledge and perhaps open the door to real wisdom.