The Strong Model
A Process of Interaction and Intervention
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Helping Parents of Troubled Teens Who
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Michael Behning and The Strong Model
Because this page's content is somewhat static (doesn't often change), you may be able to find more answers about the Strong Model, its sponsors, and Michael Behning by subscribing to the "Demanding Strength" newsletter for parents of troubled teens, or by simply exploring this site, as well as its sister sites. Nonetheless, a basic outline of a few common questions is below:
Q: Who is Michael Behning?
A: Mr. Behning is an author (of novels, news commentary, newsletters, and the Strong Model), a public speaker and facilitator (Strong Model Workshops & staff trainer), an entrepreneur, a programmer, a treatment industry vetran (13 years, from line staff, to instructor, to executive director), and a father. His close friends have labeled him a workaholic. He holds a Master's in Business Administration, and has augmented his business education with his extensive background in the treatment care industry. He is well experienced in the application of the Teaching Family Model, various forms of Behavior Modification, Positive Peer Culture (a favorite of his), Life Space Crisis Intervention (another favorite), and the combining of these therapeutic models into a culturally viable management system within treatment organizations.
Q: Why does he go by his pen name, rather than his real name?
A: It's just easier for people to remember Behning than [his real name]. Not only that, but when he visits different areas for workshops and book signings, it is easier to go by one name, rather than two, to those who might be interested in visiting him at both locations. In reality, the only people confused and perplexed by his multi-name persona are those closest to him, or who have known him for years. With exception to those who knew him when he lived in Southern California, or those who knew him in the military, those outside his current community know him by only one surname name: Behning.
Q: How did Mr. Behning come up with the Strong Model?
A: Mr. Behning developed the Strong Model long before entering the troubled teen treatment care industry. However, it has been fine-tuned as a therapeutic management model, having been applied to multiple treatment philosophies over the previous 13 years. It has successfully functioned as an effective management model in treatment programs, helping staff members and managers in the industry to recognize powerful, therapeutic approaches to interaction with one another, as well as with their students. In addition, the model has been taught to parents in seminars and workshops in treatment programs, and is currently a basis for workshops personally provided by Michael Behning in various cities throughout the country. For a full history of the Strong Model click here.
Q: Does Mr. Behning guarantee the services of the providers and programs he promotes?
A: No, he does not. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for further clarification on this matter. Basically, Mr. Behning is willing to refer to a program as a Strong Model program if the owners and management of the program seek to operate their program, regardless of its philosophy of change, by the logical dictates of the Strong Model. He does not seek to alter a program's philophy of change. However, in order to feel comfortable promoting them he must see a concerted effort to ensure that all employees, from line staff to executive management, comprehend concepts of Strong Model Interaction and Intervention. If a program feels, from a therapeutic management perspective, that they don't need such structure, that's fine. However, they won't be promoted by Mr. Behning. Though he will recommend Strong Model programs to parents and professionals, he still strongly advises parents to research all possible options before placing their children into any treatment program.
Q: Does Mr. Behning accept requests for unscheduled or private engagements or workshops?
A: Yes he does. The real problem here will be in finding a way to get the invitation to him. Moreover, he is extremely selective on accepting such invitations, as he fiercely budgets his time away from his home and his home office. You should try using the contact forms on this site or eBookSouth.Com to convey your interests in this regard.
To make phone inquiries on his services, and the services of sponsors he represents, you may call (435) 986-9643.
Q: I have a treatment program or service. Will Mr. Behning visit and/or review my service to consider promoting?
A: Yes. However, he will only promote a maximum of 15 treatment programs and services. Once he is actively involved in promoting, and assisting in the development of these programs, he will not add any others to his itinerary. To make a formal request in this regard, fill out this site's therapist, educator, or employment inquiry forms.
Q: Will Mr. Behning engage in a personal in-home intervention?
A: While he doesn't rule out the possibility that he would be interested, he has made it very clear that such activities are better coordinated by local therapists involved in in-home interventions and coaching services. His sponsors require his time and services, as do their clients. His rates for such an intervention would be so restrictive, and his services so similar to those of a therapists, that it would not be logical to employ him in lieu of them. On a case by case basis he may be willing to assist another professional who is involved in an intervention, or he may be willing to provide an "out-of-schedule" workshop, but neither the costs nor his availability can be predicted in this forum. Moreover, he does not provide any standard method of contact to make such an inquiry, which means you will have to utilize the methodologies of this site and its services to coordinate an opportune time to make your inquiry.
Q: I am not pleased with the services of a Strong Model program or service. Is Mr. Behning interested in my complaint?
A: Absolutely. Key to the continued development of this industry in a positive direction is its need to openly accept responsibility for substandard service. Too often programs want to hide from scrutiny. This foolish behavior frustrates and enrages clients, and limits the program's ability to develop and improve. Mr. Behning requests that you make your complaint directly to the program, evaluate the openness of their response, and report to him on both. If you still feel that he needs to address them, you can be confident that he will aggressively pursue change and the acceptance of responsibility within the organization. Although he neither guarantees their services, nor accepts liability for their errors or misdeeds, he does expect the highest quality of client interaction should programs desire to continue being promoted by him and his sites.
