"Our family came to Vive in crisis, because of our college-age son's alcohol abuse and subsequent plunge into the criminal justice system.  What we found in the program far exceeded our expectations and transformed our lives.  Instead of finding someone to ‘fix’ our son, we learned from our parent coach how to change our own negative behavior patterns and set boundaries.  Thanks to his mentor and their work together, our son has the support he needs.  He is learning to make positive choices and take responsibility for his actions.  As a result, our relationship with him has improved tremendously."

-Sally and Mark, San Francisco, CA (son, David, 17)  

“Vive gave us the tools we needed to improve our family's communication.
 It helped us handle our crisis without sending our son away. We are truly grateful that we were able to get through things with our family intact.”

-David and Paula, Little Rock, AR (son, Chip, 16)

“A dark cloud always seemed to follow our son since college and yet we were always fearful of letting him fall on his face.  When we finally decided to intervene with the help of Vive, we knew we could be relieved of the rescuing position and he could fall with a safety net nearby. Not only did our son gain independence and autonomy through his mentor at Vive, we are now beginning to experience the respectful relationship we never had.”

-Jackie and Jonathan, New York, NY (son, Mark 27)

"Our son, who lives some distance away from us, has struggled with depression much of his life. Vive!'s model has worked superbly for all of us. The Vive! Mentor selected for our son has the therapeutic skills and practical perspective that have helped him thrive, and our Parent Coach has given us invaluable help and reassurance. In addition, the Vive! team worked closely with our son's psychiatrist to integrate his care. This proved to be an invaluable component of the program's success - I don't know if other programs would take this approach."

-Ray and Beth, Orinda, CA (son, Sam, 15)

"Vive! has guided us expertly through a maze of situations and decisions that have hit us like a firestorm. Our son's difficult journey has caused chaos and confusion in our household, and without the direction and reassurances of the Vive staff's vast experience in dealing with out of control, defiant, substance abusing teens, we would still be flapping in the wind without any control."

-Curt and Kristine, Minneapolis, MN (son, Charlie, 18)

"Our daughter has gone through real hell, and us with her. Vive! has been a powerful ally in helping her make life-affirming choices when peer pressure and ‘old friends’ were the enemy. Vive! also worked side by side as part of the team as we went through the agonies and then the inevitable changes that go with a drug rehab program."

-David, Sacramento, CA (daughter, Ann, 21)

"We are incredibly thankful for the parent coaching we received from Vive. Their coaches helped us through some very, very tough times with our daughter. I don't know what would have happened without Vive's excellent counsel."

-Lindsay, Boulder, CO (daughter, Anna, 13)

The Vive! program has literally saved my family. Each one of our teens was mentored in the most compassionate and intelligent ways that helped them positively transition into adulthood. As parents, my wife and I received counseling and coaching that saved our relationships with our children. I have only gratitude and awe of Vive!'s remarkable work."

-Mark, San Francisco, CA (son, mark, 14; daughter, Abby, 16; daughter, Sammy, 19)

"Vive! has provided a wonderful, critical service for our son since he returned home from the treatment program he needed for substance abuse. The follow-on counseling, for both him and for us, was as comforting as it was effective in helping to get our lives back to normal again. When our other son showed early signs of experimenting with drugs, we again turned to Vive! and are pleased and relieved that the counseling is just as effective for prevention as it is for treatment."

-Rick and Julie P.

The following are actual testimonials from Vive mentoring and parent coaching clients, past and present. Though used with the authors’ permission, names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.

"The mentors at Vive are not only fun, happy people, but great resources and wonderful friends.  My experiences with Mary and the others helped me to find independence and taught me how to advocate for myself."

–Marissa 21, Chicago, IL

"I've been jobless, homeless, and penniless, but I always knew I could talk to my mentor. He helps me figure out how to get back on my feet, and now I feel like I can make it out of any situation."

–Zack 19, Los Angeles, CA

“I never had a job before coming to Vive.  Not only did Sam help me find a job but he taught me how to find a job.  Real life stuff.  I had my first job within a week.”

–Dave 17, Austin, TX

"Vive helped me immensely through many trials and tribulations I encountered while going through college. I learned new social skills and got a huge confidence boost."

–Joann 21, Boulder, CO

"No matter how bad my mood is or how horrible a day I am having, my mentor…always makes me laugh."

– Becka 12, Palo Alto, CA