A Co-Occurring Program for
Substance Use and Mental Health
What is The Seven Challenges?
The Seven Challenges Program is a comprehensive counseling program designed for adolescents who engage in substance use, to motivate a decision and commitment to change.
It helps young people look at themselves, understand what it takes to give up a drug abusing lifestyle—and prepare for and attain success when they commit to making changes.
At the same time, treatment addresses symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger management, school problems, self-esteem and many more co-occurring issues.
In the Seven Challenges, we do not fit clients into the program; rather, we wrap the program around the concerns of the youth we serve.
How does The Seven Challenges Program Work?
BCC’s masters-level, licensed therapists and counselors receive initial certification and ongoing continuing education from The Seven Challenges.
During the sessions themselves our staff create an atmosphere where youth can open-up and talk honestly about themselves and about their lives. We help them look at why they are using drugs. Whether they realize it or not, they are using drugs for a reason. Often it is to cope with psychological problems, skill deficits, or problems at home, with friends, or at school.
BCC helps our clients understand what they are seeking from drugs, and then develop the ability to meet their needs in healthy ways. When they learn to deal with life without drugs, they can make sincere decisions to overcome drug problems and successfully follow through.
BCC’s purpose statement is enriching communities, one family at a time, and in The Seven Challenges the family component is so important. Our clinicians join with youth and their families as problem-solving partners by teaching tools and providing support to ensure success. We face the challenge together.
Treatment may include:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Substance Use Education
- Seven Challenges Journaling
- Relapse Prevention
All treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation designed to identify problems and concerns for the adolescent and family regarding substance use and mental health issues.
Following the evaluation, a therapist will work with the client and family to determine the goals of treatment.
What are the Goals of The Seven Challenges?
- Improve client engagement with holistic counseling. Sessions balance discussion on drug and any other identified problems.
- Help clients identify and clarify their own issues and concerns and understand them in the context of their life’s circumstances.
- Promote mindful self-awareness and teach decision-making skills.
- Increase emotional literacy by teaching about trusting & respectful relationships and building resilience in the face of setbacks.
- Create an individualized plan for success, including strategies for relapse prevention.
- Help clients restore control over their lives by removing the power and allure of alcohol and other drugs.
- Counsel without shame, blame or stigma.
Why did BCC choose to implement The Seven Challenges?
We know that the best way to get lasting outcomes is to help young people pause, think, and make their own wise decisions to change.
BCC chose The Seven Challenges Program because it is an evidence-based intervention with a proven track record of helping young people overcome underlying psychological problems that often go along with drug abuse or drug dependence (for more on this topic please see our Introduction to Brain Science). The Seven Challenges was created specifically for adolescents and is tailored to their unique developmental stage.
Which BCC programs are using The Seven Challenges?
Below are all the BCC programs that offer The Seven Challenges, please see our referral page for who to contact at each program.
- Residential Programs in Maryland and West Virginia
- Outpatient Mental Health Clinic (Pasadena, MD)
- Strawbridge School*
*Strawbridge School is using the principles and framework of the Seven Challenges model for the Challenging Behaviors Group
