Parenting a Struggling Teen Is Hard.

Find hope and practical help at the Families in Crisis Conference.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re at your wits’ end parenting a teen who is spinning out of control, take heart—you are not alone. Thousands of parents have faced the same heartache and found hope. The Families in Crisis Conference was created to give you practical tools, a fresh perspective, and the encouragement you need to turn your situation around.

Where

Heartlight Campus
Longview, Texas
(Lodging available nearby)

When

Thursday – Saturday November 13-15, 2025 March 19-21, 2026 July 23-25, 2026 October 1-3, 2026 November 12-14, 2026

Cost

$325 per person
$650 per couple
(meals included)

Is This You?

You’re a parent of a struggling or out-of-control teenager and nothing seems to help.
You feel exhausted, helpless, or at the end of your rope in your parenting journey.
Your family life is filled with constant conflict, defiance, or emotional distance.
You’re desperate for new strategies, support, and hope to reconnect with your teen.

Here’s What You’ll Leave With

A step-by-step plan to bring about positive change in your home starting immediately.
Proven communication techniques to reduce conflict and rebuild trust with your teen.
Renewed confidence, hope, and a sense of purpose in your role as a parent.
A supportive network of fellow parents and experts you can lean on for ongoing encouragement.

Conference Schedule

Thursday
12:00 PM	Registration
1:00 PM	Session 1: Welcome, Introductions, Mark's Opening Comments
2:30 PM	Break
2:45 PM	Session 2: “Understanding Your Teen's Behavior and Needs”
3:30 PM	Break
4:00 PM	Small Group 1: At Vision Center
5:15 PM	Break
5:00 PM	Dinner at Heartlight Conference Center

Friday
8:00 AM	Breakfast at the Conference Center
8:30 AM	Session 3: “Reflecting on Establishing a Relational Atmosphere”
9:45 AM	Break
10:00 AM	Session 4: “Dealing with the Crisis and Struggle at Hand”
11:00 AM	Break
11:15 AM	Session 5: "Teaching TO Training & Transferring Principles to Your Teen"
12:15 PM	Lunch
12:45 PM	Small Groups 2
1:30 PM	Break
1:45 PM	Session 6: "Developing Rules and Consequences For Your Home"
2:45 PM	Tour of Heartlight
3:45 PM	Break
4:00 PM	Session 7: "Hearing From Heartlight Residents"
5:00 PM	Break
6:00 PM	Dinner at Mark & Jan Gregston's Home
8:00 PM	Finished for the evening

Saturday
8:30 AM	Breakfast at the Conference Center
9:00 AM	Session 8: "The Role of Counseling & Getting to the Heart of the Issues"
9:45 AM	Small Group 3
10:45 AM	Break
11:00 AM	Session 9: "Wrap Up and Q&A Session"

What Parents Are Saying

“We appreciated the genuine and honest approach Mark presented in parenting teens in today’s culture. The weekend conference gave us a renewed hope to face the challenges ahead and to trust in the Lord to change our boys’ hearts towards Him. We both recognized that it was us as a couple that first needed to change, and as we shared this with our sons one of them said, ‘Hey, I like this conference. Maybe you should go again!’ Thanks for everything — it was a huge blessing.”

“I can't even begin to tell you how loved and cared for we felt by all of the staff. Truly, you all are in our hearts and the ministry even more so. We came in feeling overwhelmed, but left with real hope for our relationship with our oldest son.”

“My husband and I attended this retreat and it changed our lives and the lives of our children. Things didn’t become perfect overnight, but our family is so much stronger for it. This program—not only did it repair our relationships with our kids, it also brought my husband and me closer together. We will forever be grateful that God led us to Heartlight.”

Why This Works

Over the years, the Families in Crisis Conference has helped hundreds of parents find hope and healing. Here’s why this unique approach is so effective:

Expert Guidance: Learn directly from Mark Gregston and his team of Heartlight counselors, who have decades of experience working with struggling teens.
Immersive Experience: The 3-day retreat at our secluded Texas campus allows you to step away from daily distractions and focus fully on rebuilding your family relationships.
Proven Tools: Gain practical, time-tested parenting strategies that have transformed countless families in crisis.
Supportive Community: Connect with other parents who share similar struggles, and find strength in knowing you truly are not alone in this journey.

Mark Gregston

Author, Radio Host & Founder of Heartlight

Layne Smith, LPC

Heartlight Counseling Director

Courtney LaFleur, LPC

Counselor & PTT Co-Host

Blake Nelson, LCCA

Executive Director, Heartlight

Ready to Turn Things Around?

Take the first step toward hope and healing for your family.

Get Our FREE Families in Crisis Parent’s Guide

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