Teen court focuses primarily on skill and education base training for teens and their families. There is significant diversity in culture and the program is sensitive to this. According to the article by Ryan 2006, positive peer culture contributes to the success of these groups, building a bond, understanding, and respect among each other (Ryan, 2006). Teens and family members are treated with respect, consideration for their needs, and encourage voice. Teens are provided a quick screening, approved by the guardian, to identify any risk factors associated with internal, external, substance use, and criminal behavior. If there are identified risks, the teen is referred and recommended for further evaluation at a behavioral health agency or a private specialist depending upon insurance, covered services, program, and culture. This assessment is general and does not adhere to a specific population or culture. Teens are required to participate in specific skill building groups offered by teen court dependent on sentencing. Group material is designed to be skill and educational based, however, it is a little therapeutic in nature. Teens …show more content…
Teens are educated on self talk, which focuses on how thoughts impact how we think about ourselves, which in turn influences behavior. "Self critical talk is associated with negative events and self reinforcing talk focuses on positive events" (Brinthaupt, Benson, Kang, & Moore, 2015, para. 10). Teens share that getting in trouble and being in teen court has caused negative self talk. Teens are shifted to change negative talk to positive talk focusing on strengths, motivation to make changes, and positive future outcome such as graduating high school or going to college. This increases self esteem and empowers them to be responsible for themselves. Teens are encouraged to surround themselves with positive influences to learn better coping strategies and change