Lives in the Balance is the non-profit web home of Dr. Ross Greene and the model of care -- called Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) -- he originated and described in his books, The Explosive Child and Lost at School.

Are you wondering about the canoe? It’s symbolic, of course. CPS has its roots in the treatment of kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges...in other words, kids who are in very treacherous waters already. When it comes to helping these kids move in the right direction, many adults have a tendency to take control of the canoe and paddle alone. The problem is that challenging kids aren’t the type to sit idly by while the adult takes charge. They often respond to "control" strategies in ways that increase the likelihood that the canoe will tip.

By contrast, CPS is a process by which adults and kids resolve problems together. When they approach problems collaboratively and work toward solutions that are mutually satisfactory, things head in a positive direction. It's very hard work, but it’s a lot better than the alternative.

This website provides lots of practical information and resources to help you learn about and implement CPS, and the content is constantly being updated. Take some time to explore. Then get back into the canoe.