Frequently Asked Questions
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What's in the program?Glad you asked! Here is the Table of Contents
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Is this program just like getting therapy?This program is not a substitute for therapy. It does not address trauma or many of the problems for which the assistance of a mental health professional is recommended. It can, however, teach many skills that are often learned for the first time in therapy, such as communication, coping, and problem-solving. It may shorten the time in therapy or help resolve small problems before they grow into something more serious.
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Can I do this program with my teenage daughter, niece, etc.?Adults have been excluded from direct participation in the program to facilitate open and honest disclosure between trusted friends or peers. For this reason, it is recommended that parents not do the program with their children; however, parents may find that teens are more than happy to share what they are learning and practice their skills with parents and adult friends.
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Why CHAIN Links?The CHAIN stands for Challenging, Helping, Accepting, Influencing, and Nurturing - ourselves and others! Links stands for the links within us and between us for healthy living. These links may be defined as protective factors -- good physical health habits, coping skills, interpersonal skills and relationships, emotional awareness and expression, sense of purpose, and positive mental attitude.
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How long does the program take to complete?There are 13 Links, or Chapters, in the CHAIN Links Program. It is recommended that no more than one link is completed per week, and that what is learned in each Link is practiced for one week before proceeding to the next link. Each link builds upon what has been learned in previous links, so it is important to take the links in order and practice, practice, practice!
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If I do the program by myself, why do I have to share it with someone else in order to complete it?An important part of learning and growing is building trusting relationships with people who share our values and genuinely care about us. Because this is a vital aspect of being a healthy human, sharing the program with someone in need is a necessary step of program completion.
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What if I feel better after doing just a Link or two. Should I stop?The program covers a lot of information and teaches many skills that you will practice each week in real-life situations. To get the full benefit of the program, you need to do the entire program -- fully participating and investing your time and energy! Just like so many things in life---the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
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Does this really work?LOTS of research is behind the information, practices, and approaches to reducing anxiety and improving overall well-being included in The CHAIN Links Program. To achieve success, you must PRACTICE daily what you learn, DO all the written exercises, SHARE with others, and maintain the PMA (that's a Positive Mental Attitude) emphasized throughout the program to get the best results.
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Do I really have to write everything and keep a journal?Writing by hand, doing, and speaking out loud engage many parts of the brain in ways that enhance learning. To get the most benefit from the program, it is recommended that you write your answers and keep a journal. Besides enhancing learning, it is fun to look back and see how far you've come!
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Why should I do this? It looks like a lot of work!Solid research supports the premise that good communication, problem-solving, social, and coping skills learned and used during the teen years can improve the quality of life well into the future. The foundation of this course is self-love and self-acceptance---from there, all things are possible. YOU ARE WORTH IT, and there is no time like the present to start the journey!
Patricia A. Houchin's The CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety: Stronger Together is a thoughtfully crafted program that offers a practical, peer-to-peer approach to mental well-being. Drawing on her experience as a counselor, Houchin recognizes the critical role that adolescence plays in shaping long-term mental health. Her book addresses the gap in mental health resources by equipping young women and girls with essential skills to foster resilience, self-love, and confidence. The program spans 13 weeks and is designed to be completed either with a friend or individually. The structure of the CHAIN Links Program (Challenging, Helping, Accepting, Influencing, and Nurturing) emphasizes the dual aspects of relationships—the internal relationship with oneself and the external relationships with others. Symbolizing these connections with "links" is a way to visualize personal growth.
The CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety includes advice and activities to help foster healthy mental habits. Patricia A. Houchin's writing is clear, accessible, and backed by solid research. She emphasizes the importance of communication, problem-solving, and coping skills during adolescence and combines theory with practical exercises, making it an engaging read. So often, I recognized my younger self and wished I'd had the advice in this guide to get me through anxious times. Simple things, such as going to the dentist or walking over a bridge (my greatest fear), can cause severe anxiety, and Houchin teaches how to face these fears head-on. This book should be in the home of every adolescent and teen girl, and it should be in every school library and counselor's office. Those who work with adolescent and teenage girls can benefit from this guide to better understand what it's like to experience anxiety.
Review of The CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety by Carol Thompson
»3 Sept 2024,
[Following is an official Readers' Favorites review of "The CHAIN Links Program for Young Women and Girls with Anxiety" by Patricia A. Houchin.]
5 out of 5 stars
