ECHO MALIBU Teen Treatment Center launches new writers and artists series with A PERFECT CIRCLE.

ECHO MALIBU Teen Treatment Center recently launched a new writers and artists series with a guest appearance from Billy Howerdel, guitarist for the alternative
band, A PERFECT CIRCLE. The series is designed to feature successful and sober writers, actors, musicians, artists and others from the entertainment industry who want to share their stories with youth in treatment for chemical dependency, emotional or behavioral disorders.

As a member of A PERFECT CIRCLE, Howerdel has enjoyed huge success in an industry notorious for drug addiction and overindulgence.  All the while Howerdel
has remained sober doing it. The bands first album, Mer De Noms, quickly went platinum and launched Howerdel into the spotlight and his first world tour in 2000.  A PERFECT CIRCLE’s follow up platinum album, Thirteenth Step, focused its content on the disease of addiction and the devastating emotional toll that it takes on those who suffer from it.  Howerdel also works as a composer for movie soundtracks and video games.

During his time with the adolescents at ECHO MALIBU,Howerdel shared stories
regarding drug use that he has seen in the music industry and his own process for remaining free of chemical dependency. He openly welcomed each of the youth to ask him questions and offered them personal encouragement regarding their participation in treatment.

According to Dr. Jeff Nalin, co-founder of ECHO MALIBU, the series launch was a tremendous success.“We couldn’t have hoped for a stronger start for our Writers and Artists series. Billy is so warm and open. The youth really connected to him. As someone they look up to he came to the group with tremendous credibility. His encouragement meant a great deal to each of the participants.”

According to Dr. Nalin, the series will feature a special guest each month.  “We have an exciting group of very successful individuals from all areas of the entertainment industry lined up for 2006. My hope is that those who share their time and experiences with our youth will find value in the experience and encourage others to participate.” As for Howerdel he states, “ This was an amazing opportunity. I hope I
get to come back and I would encourage anyone to spend time with these kids if they get the chance. I think they gave me much more than I gave to them.”

ECHO MALIBU ALUMIN ASSOCIATION AND PARENT’S COUNCIL PUBLISH 2006 CALENDAR

The Echo Malibu Alumni Association working in conjunction with the Echo Malibu Parent’s council recently published a 2006 calendar titled ABOUT FACE. The calendar  features the art work and writing of youth who received treatment at ECHO. On the back page of the calendar, Brian Johnson, Chair of ECHO’s Parent’s Council provided the following letter:

Dear Friend of ECHO MALIBU,

          On behalf of the ECHO MALIBU Parent’s Council we would like to wish you an inspiring and transformative New Year. The Parent’s Council is a group of concerned parents of ECHO MALIBU clients and alumni. We are committed to being active agents in our children’s recovery and healing., On that note, we are proud to share our 2006 Calendar, ABOUT FACE. We are doubly proud of every artist and poet who participated in thie project. As the title suggests, this body of work is about the transformation and change that each of the artists experienced during their time at ECHO. We hope that you are as moved by the work as we continue to be.

For me, ABOUT FACE is also about gratitude and hope. I am deeply greateful to the amazing and  talented team at ECHO MALIBU for the guidance and help they gave to my son. Their unique philosophy and approach allowed him to make an “about face.” He has changed dramatically while at the same time remaining whole and intact. I speak not only for myself but also for the parent’s Council as a while in saying that we are both proud and grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a participant in our children’s recovery.

Our participation in ABOUT FACE is also about the acknowledgement of our own transformations. We have learned to see and approach our children differently. We too have done an about face, and have found ourselves walking in the direction of hope.

The calendar is available free of charge to all friends of ECHO. If you would like a calendar and have not received one, please drop us a note to request a complimentary copy.

ECHO MALIBU CO-SPONSORS RBI GOLF TOURNAMENT FOR REVIVING BASEBALL IN INNER CITIES.

Echo Malibu recently served as a co-sponsor of the annual Brad Warner Scholarship Fund Golf Classic to raise funds for Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI). The event brought together professional baseball players, business leaders and other concerned civic leaders committed to RBI’s mission of reviving baseball in the inner cities.

This annual event is held in memory of Brad Warner, the son of Echo Malibu Parent Effectiveness Trainer, Michelle Warner. The tournament is, as Michelle states “ a celebration of life.” Proceeds go directly to RBI to support the mission of providing a positive, high quality baseball experience to more than 185,000 youth in 185 cities world wide. The ultimate goal is to use baseball as a tool to reduce high school drop out rates, drug use and gang affiliations.

The tournament was attended by Base Ball Hall of Fame members such as Sweet Lou Johnson and Tommie Davis (National League Batting Champion 1963) among other baseball legends. Upon observing the golfing skills of ECHO MALIBU Executive Director, Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, Mr. Davis stated “I hope you’re a better Psychologist than golfer.” Fortunately, he is.

ECHOMALIBU PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TEENS AND FAMILIES DEALING WITH POST HOLIDAY DEPRESSION.

Both anecdotal evidence and numerous studies support the idea that the "post holidays" represent a time in which American’s experience a rise in depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The data that supports such a belief is almost exclusively aimed at adults, without consideration to adolescents.

According to Cole Rucker, co-founder of ECHO MALIBU TEEN TREATMENT CENTER,  such an oversight can be dangerous. “We see the post holidays as potentially a very difficult time for adolescents. Many remain on winter break with little supervision. They may be alone with difficult thoughts or feelings that they were to busy to experience during the holidays or their last semester of school.”

Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, Executive Director of ECHO MALIBU adds, “As with adults, adolescents may have experienced great disappointments during the holidays if they were expecting gatherings and events to be a direct reflection of what the media has told them is ideal. Most families fall short.” He goes on to state, “Teens may also  pick up on the anxiety of adults who have over spent, over endulged or indulgedtherwise over stimulated during the holidays. Youth may also be sitting with hurt feelings from encounters with difficult relatives, or simply be impacted by the reality of returning from distracting celebrations to every day life.’

Rucker adds, “The bottom line is that if you're talking about at-risk youth, any added stressor can serve as a trigger for substance abuse or other problem behaviors. We encourage parents to watch for signs that indicate that their child might be in trouble.”

According to Dr. Nalin, “Some of the signs parents are encouraged to look for include: changes in sleeping habits or appetite, social isolation or retreat, changes in dress or appearance, a change in friends, or loss of interest in pursuits that have been of importance. It isn’t always easy for parents to determine the nature or severity of an emerging problem.”

In an effort to assist youth and parents, ECHO MALIBU TEEN TREATMENT CENTER,  continues to provide a hot line, 800 780 ECHO, specifically to provide assistance to families who have questions related to post holiday depression or any other behavioral health issue. Parents and youth can call 800 780 ECHO to speak with a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week free of charge.