About this course
"Reclaiming Potential: A Course for Positive Change" is a structured, trauma-responsive program to support students reentering school after suspension for issues such as violent behavior, substance use, truancy, or other concerning actions.
The course aims to equip students with practical tools and insights to address the root causes of their behavior, foster positive decision-making, and promote successful reintegration into the school community.
Students will explore topics ranging from emotional intelligence to leadership development, enabling them to rebuild their sense of self-worth and community involvement.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed essential skills in self-awareness, communication, responsibility, and empathy - core components that are vital to making meaningful and sustainable positive changes.
Meet the Creator
Thurston O’Neal is the CEO of Long Island Teamworks non-profit organization and Owner and Principal of Thurston O’Neal and Associates, LLC which provides therapeutic services to youth, parents, couples, and families. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a lifetime of experience in underserved communities and insight on the issues that affect them.
Thurston employs an integrative approach, blending elements of different therapeutic models and tailoring treatment according to the needs of each client, couple, and family. Some types of approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, Family-Systems Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
In addition to being a therapist, Thurston has a history of effective youth and family engagement with an interdisciplinary approach towards community health, drawing from multihyphenated experiences including counseling youth, community organizing, advocacy, and crafting effective curriculum. He designed and developed the curricula to engage, empower, educate, and celebrate youth as they become prevention minded, civically engaged, as well as socially, emotionally, and educationally successful. Thurston has received commendations from local and state officials for his community organizing, advocacy, leadership, and youth engagement efforts.