HOW IT WORKS

The Fresh Tracks Approach

Connect with Mark
A therapy session with a woman, a young boy, and a man in a living room with a large sofa, artwork, and a wood stove. 
APPROACH

Clear guidance when the next step is hard to see.

People come to Fresh Tracks for many different reasons. A parent may be worried about a child, teenager, or young adult. An adult may be facing a personal, educational, therapeutic, recovery, or life decision and unsure where to turn.

The process begins by listening closely and understanding the situation in context: what is happening now, who is involved, what is making things harder, and what matters most to the person and family.

Some situations call for quick decisions. Others allow time to explore options, plan ahead, or put support in place gradually. In either case, Mark takes time to understand the situation before making recommendations.

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Fresh Tracks Clients

What you can expect

A process shaped by the person, the circumstances, and what is needed now.

Some families contact Fresh Tracks in the middle of an urgent situation. Others are planning weeks or months ahead. The starting point is different for everyone, but the process is rooted in careful listening, direct communication, and practical next steps.

  • Mark begins by listening. He looks at what is happening now, who is involved, what feels most urgent, and the broader context surrounding the concern. That fuller view helps keep the person, not just the problem, at the center of the process.

  • Mark helps families understand the available choices and which are worth considering. Depending on the situation, that may include support close to home, assessments, schools, treatment programs, recovery resources, coaching, or other options.

  • Once the options have been narrowed, Mark helps put the pieces together. The plan may address immediate needs, longer-term goals, timing, logistics, cost, and how to communicate the next steps with the people involved.

  • Mark continues alongside families as treatment moves forward, staying connected with providers and helping everyone keep sight of the bigger picture. When circumstances shift or new decisions come up, he is there to help families sort through them.

A young woman and an older man are sitting outdoors on a stone wall, engaged in conversation, with greenery and a fence in the background. 
HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE

What goes into each recommendation

The Person

Every recommendation begins with the person: their history, strengths, needs, goals, relationships, and readiness for change. Mark looks beyond the immediate concern to understand who they are and what support they may need to thrive.

The Context

Family dynamics, school or work demands, finances, geography, health history, and available support all matter. Mark considers the circumstances around each person so recommendations are practical and make sense in real life.

Communication

Families often have several people involved. Mark helps keep communication clear among parents, providers, schools, and the individual, so everyone understands the plan, the reasoning behind it, and their role.

Experience

Mark has spent more than 25 years visiting programs, getting to know providers, and watching organizations evolve. That experience gives him a deeper understanding of how programs differ, who they serve best, and what families should pay attention to when considering their options.

“We truly felt like Mark Parlett was our partner in this process and that he had our son’s best interest in mind with every step.”

- Fresh Tracks Parent