PROJECT COURAGE was created by Andy Buccaro, LCSW, LADC.  Before launching PROJECT COURAGE Andy worked in public schools for eight years and experienced the difficulties involved with trying to connect the students he worked with to services.  Barriers to counseling that most often presented themselves were: a) a general shortage of therapists working with adolescents and b) standards, customs and procedures within the mental health field that ultimately pushed adolescents away.  In creating PROJECT COURAGE it was Andy’s hope to address these barriers. 

Some examples of how we try to do this at PROJECT COURAGE include:

• First and foremost we want to develop a connection with our clients; particularly adolescent clients.  We realize that part of our job as working with adolescents is to get them to invest in the counseling process.
• We try to bridge the gap between often intimidating, and frequently ineffective traditional treatment options (i.e. “rehabs”) and substance abuse counseling that is typically too limited-in-scope.
• We believe the family plays a central role in the life of an adolescent and is often directly involved in treatment. 
• We believe in collaboration and advocacy.  The school system plays a role in the life of an adolescent second only to families and collaboration with the schools is often pursued.   Many of our clients receive educational and advocacy services related to special education, expulsion hearings, and parental and student rights.
• Perhaps most importantly, we understand that there are real difference between adolescent and adult substance abuse and mental health issues.  This understanding is significant when considering causation, diagnosis, and treatment.