| | Published September 17, 2008
| Michael Simon to Talk at Campo About Adolescent Behaviors
| | By Sophie Braccini |  | |
Michael Simon's biggest concern is with the sanity and well being of our teenagers. The marriage and
family licensed therapist has had a private practice in Rockridge for 13 years, he was the Director of
Counseling at Bentley School in Lafayette until last year when the position became full time, and is
an acclaimed speaker who appears at conferences all over the country. On Thursday October 2nd,
Simon will return to the Acalanes School district with a free talk for the community in the
Campolindo High School library, starting at 7 p.m. He will present "Parent Primer, a Year-to-Year
Guide of What to Expect in High School."
According to Simon, one element in reducing adolescent stress is to get parents not to worry too
much themselves and stay connected to their students. "My presentation will help parents to
understand each grade level's development and get a good sense why their kids are doing what
they're doing; what's normal and what's not."
For example, in 11th grade the parents are very conscious of how important the results of that year
are for college admission, while at this age their children need to reinforce the wall between
themselves and their parents. "They talk less and less, especially when they get into trouble, when a
9th grader will still talk, and over-exaggerate the good part of what's going on." Simon will give
parents ways to stay close and supportive to their offspring whatever stage they are in. He will talk
as well about alcohol and drug use, will touch on sexuality and will explain how to handle difficult
discussions, depending on the student's age.
In his Rockridge private practice Simon meets adolescents who, for the most part, have difficulty
handling the stress and pressure to meet their parents' expectation and find their dreams. "They
have to look the best, get into the best schools and they lose sight of what they want and what they
feel," says Simon. To handle the pressure, they have sex earlier, drink or do drugs, or engage in
dangerous behaviors to draw attention to themselves. On the surface they are very successful, but
the suffering is present deeper inside. "When you grow up in an affluent democracy you get the
message that if you don't succeed, since everyone is equal, there must be something wrong with
you," says Simon. In addition, the media sets the standard of the only way to success, and
adolescents have more and more difficulty keeping up with expectations. Simon is finishing a book
with Laura Konigsberg about status and teens. It discusses whether there is only one way of
succeeding at life, and how anxiety over status rules our teens' lives. The provocative title will be
"How to Hate Yourself."
The 90 minute presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. It is sponsored by the
Campolindo Parents' Club and the Acalanes High School District Adult Education Center.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA