If you want to succeed at treating or raising kids, you'd better have a taste for paradox, contradiction, and handling mind-boggling ethical and clinical dilemmas. In this workshop, the presenter will arm you with realistic guidance for the following (almost) impossible situations: how to handle today's high-risk behavior without being controlling; how to provide effective advice in the face of false compliance and stony defiance; how to handle kids who often get "worse" as they get better. You'll learn how to distinguish freedom of expression from abuse of self and/or others; probe for details without being seen as nosy and intrusive; create empathy and gratitude from kids toward parents and adults. We'll delve into what to do when confronted by such paralysis-inducing statements as: "My friend is in real trouble, but you can't tell anyone." "You said it's my body, so I'll do what I want with it." "If we're supposed to be so open here, why don't you tell me about your life?" For anyone ever touched by this exquisite madness in their work or at home.