Renegade Therapies

At this time, our primary method of outreach is with young men, particularly those that have been recently incarcerated, or are at-risk of incarceration. To understand more about why this organization has targeted this demographic of youth as priority #1, please click HERE

Although Renegade Therapies is currently working with and targeting delinquent youth, our services are not limited to this demographic only. If you are a parent who feels their child is at risk of hurting themselves or others, Please do not hesitate to reach out.

All of the following services are optional and adaptable for the individual needs of the youth under our care.

The different approaches to working Youth that’s currently being utilized by Renegade Therapies is as follows….

-BODYWORK - This is for initial and continued trust building and helping them tune in and interact with the tension they hold in their bodies. (Parents presence in the room is preferred for at least the first session)

This is a non-verbal hands-on approach that takes place on a traditional massage table and does not require the youth to speak, dress down, or be counseled to.

By developing trust at this subconscious and primary level of human connection using multiple different styles of bodywork/touch, what naturally unfolds is that the youth feels safe enough to start communicating verbally. And because there is no expectation for the youth to speak, there is no deadline for when they need to start communicating. And if they ultimately choose not to, but wish to continue coming in, they will continue to always be welcome. If they choose to stick around for just the bodywork and they don’t want to open up to further therapeutic options, they will still reap all the benefits of resloving physical tension alongside the benefits of being touched regularly in a safe and therapeutic way by a third-party who cares about them (See our Ethics page)
However, if they are open to it, we can move into counseling (see "Holistic Youth Counseling" below) as well as start preperations for Breathwork...

BREATHWORK- To assist them in becoming Self-Actualized, emotionally independent young Adults.

When safety and trust have been established and they are feeling particularly courageous and ready via proper mental preparation….

we will move into a one on one therapeutic breathwork practice. This will involve fundamentals as simple as self-regulating breathing techniques for the purposes of giving them the tools for calming themselves on command in any situation, but also goes as far as guiding them through the higher intensity styles of breathwork that allow them to express themselves in a way that is safe and free of judgement as a neutral third-party to the parents. 

This teaches them how to safely “purge” the suppressed emotional and physiological responses in a safe and therapeutic way.. responses that only the body can sort out when it feels safe enough. We are holding a safe and non-judgemental space for all of these things. Including helping them transform their often destructive anger into something that is more in alignment with a “righteous anger”. An anger that is a source of strength, fearlessness, and power for the purposes of protecting themselves and others and is 100% within their control.

This process increases their emotional intelligence & availability alongside a broader increase in overall self-awareness, which then goes on to produce an authentic and powerful sense of overall self agency.

For them to not only feel seen and heard while they’re at their most raw and vulnerable, but also feel loved and accepted is where the biggest breakthroughs occur. And if we didn’t care deeply about them through this process, none of this would work in any meaningful way. 

From here, and when they feel ready, we move to helping them orient themselves properly within their current home life, relationships, and the broader culture via continued counseling, but only if it's desired.

HOLISTIC YOUTH COUNSELING- Integration into the real world

The primary goal of all of the work we do with youth is to facilitate a full-grown, independent and self-guided human who is no longer fully dependent on third-party help to move forward in their lives. So we always begin our work with the goal of releasing them from our care sooner than later. Yet due to the abandonment issues a lot of our youth are recovering from, and the bonds that are formed through facilitating deeply healing experiences, we remain in their lives once our time together is finished to the extent they desire. This is done by establishing proper boundaries around the therapeutic relationship that is developed through this process. To put it simply, we always plan to remain a phone call away long-term. 

With that being said, our approach to counseling youth looks a lot like a “Big Brother” style that keeps us in their lives the extent that they desire. Depending on the personal needs of the youth, we will assist them in everything from navigating the world of their close relationships and to the broader culture in general (obtaining the tools for independence, drivers license, employment, etc)

How long does this take? It is always a case by case process that moves at the pace the Youth is comfortable with and ready for. Sessions are always an hour and usually a week apart for as many weeks as needed. But severe cases are focused on heavily and more often when needed.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with further questions.

850-630-5042 
Joel@renegadetherapies.org

All of the services and activities described here, rely fully on donor support.  If you are interested, please consider helping us on our mission by donating any amount you feel comfortable with. It really isn't the amount that matters to us here.. It's the gesture of support that keeps us going.

Thank you!