Programs in and of themselves do not change lives; at best, they merely control behavior. In order to change a life you must change the heart. At Bethesda Family Services Foundation, we are not satisfied with simply controlling behavior. Our focus is to penetrate the hearts of our participants in order to help them free their emotions from the anger that controls them. The philosophical basis of our work is emotional healing through family reconciliation. All of our efforts are structured in such a way as to positively effect such an outcome.

The most successful intervention programs have clear and effective strategies that are adopted by an agency, clearly set forth in writing, and thoroughly transmitted to all therapeutic and direct-care staff. Bethesda's strategies are simple in method, yet profound in their ability to be easily understood by the clients being served and the staff who counsel them.

If a given program does not have the ability to diagnose problems or lacks the tools and skills to intervene, this is a formula for disaster. Bethesda has developed a two-system approach complete with blueprint manuals designed to provide the framework and strategy for successful application. These are not program descriptions; they are therapeutic strategies which unite staff members and equip them with the ability to create safe environments for juvenile and adult offenders. This is the best way to facilitate the emotional healing needed in their lives. Bethesda teaches that "pain concealed is pain unhealed." If that pain is not addressed through healing, the individual will go down the "Road of Hurt-Hate-Harm": When he is offended, if he does not heal the wound from the offense, first he will hurt, then he will hate, and finally he will harm others or himself.

Lastly, it is not enough to educate the minds of troubled youth and adults; we also focus upon healing their hearts. This is achieved through our "Four Steps to Emotional Healing."

It is because of our unique and powerful Relational Healing model that we were named "Promising Program" by the University of Utah, Department of Health Promotion & Education, and the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

For more information on Bethesda Family Services Foundation, feel free to e-mail us today or call (570) 523-0605.