JET ED Consulting is proud to announce that therapeutic and educational consultant Missy Steffens has completed her certification in the Invitation to Change (ITC) Approach, a compassionate, evidence-based framework for supporting families facing substance use and mental health challenges. This certification, conferred by the CMC: Foundation for Change, deepens Missy's expertise in helping families stay connected and engaged while fostering positive, lasting change for their loved ones.
The Invitation to Change (ITC) Approach integrates the core principles of CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into a practical and relational model for families. It offers tools grounded in understanding, awareness, and action, allowing caregivers to move away from outdated, punitive models like "tough love" and instead engage with their loved ones through curiosity, compassion, and skillful communication.
"As a parent and professional, I've seen how painful and isolating it can feel when your child is struggling," says Missy. "The Invitation to Change model gives parents a way to stay connected, reduce conflict, and take care of themselveswhile also actively encouraging healthier behaviors in their children. It's truly transformational work."
Missy's certification in ITC enhances the work she and the JET ED Consulting team do with families navigating complex therapeutic and academic pathways. Whether a family is confronting school refusal, substance use, emerging mental health diagnoses, or the stress of selecting a residential program, Missy now incorporates ITC's structured, research-based tools to empower parents to take effective action without compromising connection.
CRAFT vs. ITC: What's the Connection?
While CRAFT provides the behavioral foundationteaching families how to reinforce positive behavior and improve communicationITC builds upon it by integrating mindfulness, values-based action, and self-compassion. This broader, more holistic framework helps families not only support their loved one's recovery but also find their own emotional footing and growth along the way. In clinical studies, CRAFT-trained families see treatment engagement rates between 6474, a result far superior to more confrontational or disengaged approaches.
With this certification, Missy is also now eligible to facilitate ITC-based community groups, further expanding access to this life-changing model for parents and caregivers who are ready to support their child with science, strategy, and kindness.
nbsp;
About JET ED Consulting:
JET ED Consulting specializes in helping families find therapeutic and educational placements for children, teens, and young adults facing emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges. The firm provides expert guidance across the full continuum of carefrom initial assessment through placement, transition, and long-term planningwhile offering practical, empathetic coaching to help families thrive through difficult times.