Behavioral Therapy: Making Amends with Family and Friends
Making amends with family and friends is one of the most important steps of the behavioral therapy and rehabilitation process. It is an opportunity to recognize past mistakes, move on from painful memories, and make new plans for the future. Unfortunately, making amends with family and friends is not always an easy process. Each relationship dynamic is different, and for some, the forgiveness process can be quite complicated. For guidance, Ozarks Teen Challenge discusses some tips for the making amends.
The Importance of Making Amends
Rebuilding past relationship is an important component of physical, mental, and emotional health. After behavioral therapy, you may feel a mixture of shame and guilt for your past behavior, as well as resentment toward those who hurt you in the past. Holding onto those feelings prohibits you from moving on from your past and halts your personal-development. Through the amendment and forgiveness process, you can resolve some past conflicts, release feelings of guilt, and move on.
The Difference Between Amends and Apologies
Amends are not the same as the apologies. Apologies, even when sincere, do not truly resolve past conflicts; they merely recognize them. Making amends, on the other hand, is an ongoing process where you prove to others that you have changed your ways and that you will not fall back into your destructive behavior. By proving to others that you have changed, you are not simply recognizing the wrongdoings of the past. Instead, you are working to rebuild relationships and restore trust between you and your loved ones. Remember that this process takes time. Behavioral therapy is a lifelong work-in-progress, and restoring trust does not necessarily happen immediately.
Advice for Making Amends After Behavioral Therapy
Making amends after behavioral therapy will be different for every relationship. With some people, you can quickly move on from the past, and for others, healing may be a long and hard process. Regardless of the situation, be patient and open-minded.
Start by talking to individual one-on-one. Discuss your past mistakes, how you have changed, and how you will act differently in the future. If you have any unresolved conflicts with the individual, try your best to talk it out. Opening up the room for discussion is the first step to making amends and creating real change. Overall, try your best to approach each person with honestly.
Contact Ozarks Teen Challenge
Located right outside of Branson, Missouri, Ozarks Teen Challenge is an all-boys teen behavioral therapy and drug treatment program. Our program takes a holistic, Christ-centered approach to behavioral therapy, focussing on academic achievement, discipleship, wilderness therapy, and leadership and life-skills training. Our team of counselors and mentors strives to help our students reach their fullest potential and create a lasting relationship with Christ. To learn more about our programs, contact us today.
