Behind the Sixteen Doors

Dr. Claire Thompson was renowned for her past unorthodox group therapy programs, which was the reason she was approached by the local school board who needed her expertise. They wanted her to develop an experimental high school class for sixteen once–exceptional students dealing with unknown issues greatly affecting their school performance. Not only have their grades plummeted, but also these teenagers have closed themselves off from their families and friends.When she agreed to take on this project, Dr. Claire had no idea that working with high school students would be far more challenging than she had anticipated. She had always worked with adults who were struggling with their work or their home life, with addiction or finances. Her patients always seemed to have a common ground, but Dr. Claire has no idea what is troubling each of her sixteen students. She wants them to work as a group, so she needs to come up with one unique project that will unify her sixteen students yet encourage them to open up as an individual. So far, nothing she has tried in the past couple months has worked, and failing her students is not an option. What has personally traumatized each of her sixteen first–period students? Why have these intelligent, promising teenagers suddenly become apathetic slackers? How can she get these high school students to open up? What are they hiding from themselves and others? What are their stories that need to be told? These are the questions Dr. Claire Thompson must find answers to in order to help her troubled sixteen students. If she doesn't, their regressing lives will plummet even further, and they will become lost in the system forever. How can she get them to use their voice?

-- Patti Neri