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The Seven Challenges Newsletters
June 2024
August 2023
June 2023
May 2023
February 2023
August 2022
May 2022
February 2022
December 2021
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Podcasts and Media Featuring Robert Schwebel
Hopestream podcast episode 211
There Is No Such Thing As Drug and Alcohol Treatment For Adolescents, with Robert Schwebel and Lynn Smith. A podcast for parents navigating the complexities of having a child misusing substances and struggling with mental health.
American Psychological Association Monitor
APA Monitor shares some positive recognition of The Seven Challenges starting on page 48.
The Super Challenge, The Importance of Being Wrong Sometimes.
Robert Schwebel speaks of how in loving relationships and in counseling one of the biggest challenges is sharing power.
The Buckmaster Show KVOI AM 1030
The Buckmaster Show 03/27/2023
Robert Schwebel discusses life counseling and Mastery Counseling.
NAADC Webinar
NAADC Webinar 01/11/2023
Addressing Mental Health and Situational Problems in Substance Use Disorder Counseling presented by Robert Schwebel.
The Buckmaster Show KVOI AM 1030
The Buckmaster Show 01/06/2021
Robert Schwebel discusses New Year's Resolutions, goal setting, and more with host, Bill Buckmaster.
Robert Schwebel talks to Zach about his “Seven Challenges” program – PODCAST Episode 20
Life Process Program Podcast
Host Zach Rhoads discusses the Seven Challenges principles in this podcast
Holistic Life Counseling for Drug Problems
Robert discusses Holistic Life Counseling in place of the term Drug Treatment.
Overcoming Depression with a Leap of Power
Robert discusses tapping inner resources you didn’t even know you had to change your mood.
Take A Leap of Power
Robert discusses overcoming the myth of powerlessness over drugs. You can take control of your life.
The Buckmaster Show KVOI AM 1030
The Buckmaster Show 05/14/2020
Robert Schwebel discusses dealing with anxiety in the Age of COVID-19 with host, Bill Buckmaster.
FSDP Presents Episode 5: Dr. Robert Schwebel's Leap of Power
Families For Sensible Drug Policy Podcast
Robert Schwebel and Zach Rhoads discuss overcoming addiction through purely common-sense channels of human development. Robert also provides valuable insight on how parents, family members, and other adults, can engage adolescents in a fully collaborative approach to dealing with problematic drug use… and a range of other problems.
The Buckmaster Show KVOI AM 1030
The Buckmaster Show 11/25/2019
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Robert Schwebel discusses his critically-acclaimed new book titled “Leap of Power: Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Your Life" with host, Bill Buckmaster.
65: Dr. Robert Schwebel, Author of “Leap of Power” Provides Evidence that People are Strong and Capable to Take Control of Alcohol and Drugs.
The Family Recovery Solution
Robert Schwebel discusses the new book Leap of Power: Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Your Life and The Seven Challenges Program with host, Jeff Jones. There is a particular emphasis on family in this interview.
Episode 47: Dr. Robert Schwebel: "Leap of Power"
The Social Exchange
Robert Schwebel tells host Zach Rhoads about the story of his career, his basis for creating the Seven Challenges Program, and he explains the differences between the adolescent and adult versions of his program.
Robert Schwebel 21stCenturyRadio
21st Century Radio
Robert Schwebel joined host Zohara Hieronimus, D.H.L. to discuss Leap of Power: Take Control of Alcohol, Drugs and Your Life.
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Articles by Robert Schwebel
The One Belief That Keeps People Addicted
Psychology Today
This is how to counter the myth that brings addicted individuals to their knees.
Help Without Hurting
The Fix
Sometimes backing off means being terribly scared and uncomfortable, knowing the risk that bad things might happen, but believing it is the only possible way things might change.
The Revolutionary Question to Ask People with Drug Problems
Psychology Today
Instead of harping on the harm, get to the heart of the matter.
5 Principles for Helping After a Relapse
The Fix
People who relapse from drug decisions feel discouraged. Well-meaning loved ones often focus on the harm and add to the discouragement.
Rejections Are a Part of a Full Life
If you haven’t been rejected yet, then you’re not really going all out for what you want.
Ask for It All, Then Compromise
Asking for what you want has no guarantees, but it can help avoid misunderstandings and unspoken resentment.
Paranoia: A Heightened Sense of Awareness
There is a middle ground, a way to take paranoias seriously without getting carried away by them. You can “check them out.”
The Unsung Benefits of Breaking Up
There can be a silver lining of strength and hope when people separate.
A Personal Approach to Meeting New People
It is ironic that people often avoid the most direct approach to getting acquainted–telling about ourselves and asking about each other.
Emotional Dishonesty
Emotional dishonesty is a remarkably common and accepted behavior. Without guilt or remorse, people lie about what they feel.
A Family That Plays Together…
Communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills are great stuff, but not always the right prescription for families. Sometimes having fun or family projects are just what the doctor ordered.
Trust After an Affair?
Acknowledge the harm and give the other person time to doubt you. Allow for suspicion or mistrust. You can’t force these feelings away.
Why a Grump?
When people act out their feelings, they release pent-up hurt and resentment but create even more problems for themselves.
Good Loving: The Free Expression of Affection
When it comes to exchanging affection in our culture, we can choose to break the rules and enjoy an abundance of affection.
"All-giving” People Cause Problems
It’s not selfish to want things for yourself. Maybe it is as good to receive as it is to give. Maybe being half-giving and half-receiving is a better approach to a relationship.
A Recipe for Apologies
If you’ve done something which adversely affects someone you care about, you want to express your concern.
Daring to Speak Honestly to Friends about Romantic Partners
Sometimes a carefully worded statement can be a courageous and true act of friendship/love.
Handle Feelings with Care
Communicating with Loved Ones.
Are We a Match? Cooperatively Discussing the Basics with a Partner
When couples fail to openly discuss basics, it doesn’t mean that decisions are not being made.
All or Nothing Power Play
Sometimes people use power plays because they don’t know about cooperation. An invitation to cooperate may be exactly what they need.
Short Story: Lover’s Panic
Appreciate the positive features of your partner. Feel his (or her) love and add a little humor, tolerance, and self-scrutiny to your life.
7 Relationship Survival Strategies During COVID-19
Psychology Today
Loving partners can rise to the occasion and keep their relationship intact.
Permission to Indulge? Self-Talk During COVID-19
Psychology Today
Tips on how to recognize and resist temptation to exceed your own limits
Taming Anxiety During COVID-19
Psychology Today
We can take action to manage and keep a grip on our anxiety during this crisis.
Tucson Psychologist Releases New Self Help Book
Tucson Local Media
"I wanted to offer specific help and inspire people with drug problems both to start making changes and to stick with them. Leap of Power offers specific and practical help for everyone, even those who have had difficulties changing in the past."
4 Hidden Causes of Failure to Overcome Drug Problems
Psychology Today
"If you keep failing in efforts to quit or set limits on problematic behaviors, maybe it's not an issue of relapse prevention. Maybe it's flawed decision-making."
8 Steps for Starting (or Restarting) Discussions About Substance Use Disorder with Loved Ones
The Fix
"Intervention is never easy. But this step-by-step guide can help you navigate the difficult task of talking to a loved one about their alcoholism or addiction."
How to Communicate with Loved Ones Who Have Drug Problems
Psychology Today
"The fact is, we can’t force others to change. But we can maintain a positive connection and provide a supportive atmosphere in which change could occur. The challenge is to rise above negative feelings and offer as much encouragement and empathy as possible."
Exploring Benefits of Addictive Behaviors with Clients
American Psychological Association, Division 50, Society of Addictive Behavior
This article highlights the development of a balanced approach to discussing drug benefits, in addition to discussing reduced harm.
How to Help Your Children Feel Secure in a Country Rife with Violence
Medium
"The most powerful way to overcome fear is by taking action — to do something about whatever frightens us. As parents we can model this for our children. We can show them that we are working for a safer world."
What Drug and Alcohol Treatment Should Look Like: An Interview with Dr. Robert Schwebel
Pro Talk
"In collaborative counseling that allows choices, clients get to identify the issues they want to work on. They make the decisions. We make it clear that we’re not there to make them quit using drugs…and couldn’t even if we tried."
How to Make Sure Young People Never Get Drug Counseling
The Fix
"Tell them they are powerless; tell them you trust them but conduct drug tests; be an alarmist; and other effective ways to make sure kids avoid getting help."
Renaming and Rethinking Drug Treatment
Pro Talk
"I believe we would have much better outcomes and benefit a lot more people if we stopped ‘treating drug problems,’ and started thinking in terms of providing comprehensive counseling."
Why Saying No to Drugs Is Not Enough
The Fix
"Look around and you will find counselors pushing the agenda of abstinence and trying to control behavior. You’ll find youth cleverly resisting and fighting back in all kinds of creative ways."
Go Easy On The Liar Label: Try Creating Safety First
Pro Talk
"…people often behave in ways that promote lying. You could say they create an environment in which other people are afraid to tell the truth."
About Learned Powerlessness
Pro Talk
"To help people overcome drug problems, we need to get off the powerlessness bandwagon, stop exaggerating the power of drugs, and stop diminishing the power of people."
You Can't Rescue People with Drug Problems
Pro Talk
"Rescuing doesn’t work. It basically hijacks the pathway to personal decision-making and change. Instead of people reaching their own conclusions about their lives, someone else does it for them."
Resources and Information
Teen Addiction Treatment Programs That Measure Up
Pro Talk- Written by Anne Fletcher
"The Challenges meets kids “where they are,” helping them to talk honestly about themselves and substances they use, examining why they’re using them and the impact on their lives." Anne Fletcher
Families For Sensible Drug Policy
The voice of families impacted by substance use and the harms of existing drug policies.
SMART Recovery, Self-Management And Recovery Training
This is self-empowering recovery support; offering support groups and online services.