--- title: Teaching RESPECT at the CIP Berkshire Center description: Moving into the new year with RESPECT. image: https://info.cipworldwide.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers/122316%20BS%20Charles.jpg --- [![CIP Worldwide](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/CIP-logo.png?width=300&height=729&name=CIP-logo.png "CIP Worldwide")](https://cipworldwide.org) - [About](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [CIP at a Glance](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [Our Students](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-students/) - [Our Staff](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-staff/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/professional-advisory-board/) - [Outcomes & Statistics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/outcomes-statistics/) - [FAQs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/faqs/) - [Admissions](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Criteria & Process](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Tuition & Fees](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/tuition-fees/) - [Apply](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/apply/) - [Curriculum](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Curriculum Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Social Competencies](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/social-competencies/) - [Academic Support](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/academic-support/) - [Career Preparation](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/career-preparation/) - [Life Skills & Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/life-skills-instruction/) - [Student Advising](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/advising/) - [Executive Functioning](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/executive-functioning/) - [Health & Wellness](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/health-wellness/) - [Creative Arts](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/creative-arts/) - [Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Programs Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Full Year Programs](https://cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/cip-full-year-program/) - [Summer Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/summer/) - [Graduate Living Community (GLC)](https://cipworldwide.org/glc/) - [Locations](https://www.cipworldwide.org/our-locations/) - [About Our Locations](https://www.cipworldwide.org/our-locations/) - [CIP Berkshire](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/) - [CIP Brevard](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/) - [CIP Bloomington](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/) - [CIP Berkeley](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/) - [CIP Long Beach](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/) - = - [Blog](https://cipworldwide.org/blog/) - [Events](https://cipworldwide.org/events/) - [Alumni](https://cipworldwide.org/alumni/) - [Careers at CIP](https://cipworldwide.org/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://cipworldwide.org/contact/) ##### [Request Information](https://cipworldwide.org/request-information/) ###### [+1 (877) 566-9247](tel:+1-877-566-9247) [![CIP Logo - Prepare for Success](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/2020_CIPLOGO_ALONE.png?width=125&height=729&name=2020_CIPLOGO_ALONE.png "CIP Logo - Prepare for Success")](https://v1.dev.cipworldwide.org) - [About](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [CIP at a Glance](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [Our Students](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-students/) - [Our Staff](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-staff/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/professional-advisory-board/) - [Outcomes & Statistics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/outcomes-statistics/) - [FAQs](https://www..cipworldwide.org/about-cip/faqs/) - [Admissions](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Criteria & Process](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Tuition & Fees](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/tuition-fees/) - [Apply](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/apply/) - [Curriculum](https://www..cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Curriculum Overview](https://www..cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Social Competencies](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/social-competencies/) - [Academic Support](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/academic-support/) - [Career Preparation](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/career-preparation/) - [Life Skills & Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/life-skills-instruction/) - [Student Advising](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/advising/) - [Executive Functioning](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/executive-functioning/) - [Health & Wellness](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/health-wellness/) - [Creative Arts](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/creative-arts/) - [Locations](https://www.cipworldwide.org/our-locations/) - [About Our Locations](https://www.cipworldwide.org/our-locations/) - [CIP Berkshire](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/) - [CIP Brevard](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/) - [CIP Bloomington](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/) - [CIP Berkeley](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/) - [CIP Long Beach](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/) - [Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Programs Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Full Year Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Summer Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/summer/) - More - [Blog](https://www.cipworldwide.org/blog/) - [Events](https://www.cipworldwide.org/events/) - [Alumni](https://www.cipworldwide.org/alumni/) - [Careers at CIP](https://www.cipworldwide.org/careers/) - [Contact](https://www.cipworldwide.org/contact/) - [COVID-19](https://www.cipworldwide.org/covid-19) [Request Information](https://cipworldwide.org/request-information/) [Call (877) 566-9247](tel:+1-877-566-9247) [Contact Us via Email](mailto:admissions@cipworldwide.org) ![](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers/122316%20BS%20Charles.jpg) - Featured, Staff Contribution, Blog # Teaching RESPECT at the CIP Berkshire Center “R-E-S-P-E-C-T…Tell you what it means to me…”   40 years ago, Aretha Franklin had a huge hit singing about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  Everybody’s heard the song.  “All I need…All I’m askin’ is for a little respect…”  Aretha knew how important respect is. Self-respect is an essential ingredient in any kind of success - personal, social, academic, athletic, career, professional…everything! The good news is that self-respect is something you are in charge of.   When we are babies, everyone starts out with a healthy dose of self-respect. But it isn’t long before self-respect starts to shrink. Wanting to perform as well as possible, children start comparing themselves to their siblings and schoolmates and media idols… they start to wonder about all the ways they may not measure up. Even when respected by others, self-respect often becomes replaced by self-consciousness, defensiveness, maybe even not liking oneself.   ### What to do? So what can you do? Well, at CIP, we believe in you – and in your ability to reclaim that self-respect of yours. As a therapist, I believe this is one of the strong supports that therapy provides. Therapy can help us find - and strengthen - our self-respect. Self-respect begins with knowing who we are, accepting ourselves for who we are. And it also means treating ourselves with both honesty and kindness – challenging ourselves kindly, not critically. And when we respect ourselves, we are more in control of our own well-being.  This may sound like a major makeover for some of us, but the sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll start to feel different... with a little more R-E-S-P-E-C-T! --- **About the Author** [Charles D. Houff](http://cipworldwide.org/portfolio/charles-d-houff/) is the Head Therapist at CIP Berkshire. He has over 25 years of experience as a therapist and Clinical Director in residential programs, providing individual and group therapy for adolescents and young adults with learning disabilities and emotional difficulties. ### About College Internship Program The College Internship Program is a comprehensive transition program for young adults on the Autism Spectrum and with Learning Differences. Our Mission is to inspire independence and expand the foundation on which young adults with Autism, ADHD, and other Learning Differences can build happy and productive lives. ## Related Articles - [On-Demand Webinar: Summer@CIP - A Transformative Summer Experience with Real-World Results](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/on-demand-webinar-summercip-a-transformative-summer-experience-with-real-world-results) - [On-Demand Webinar: A Conversation with CIP Alumni & Parent](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/on-demand-webinar-a-conversation-with-cip-alumni-parent) - [Watch Two CIP Webinars On-Demand:  Discover How CIP's Full-Year Program Transforms Student Outcomes](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/cip-virtual-events-november-2025) - [CIP at the 2025 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/cip-at-the-2025-stanford-neurodiversity-summit) - [Stories from Students, Parents & Staff](https://info.cipworldwide.org/blog/stories-from-students-parents-staff-video) ### Share this Article Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn Share on email Email #### Locations - [Lee, Massachusetts](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/) - [Melbourne, Florida](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/) - [Bloomington, Indiana](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/) - [Berkeley, California](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/) - [Long Beach, California](https://cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/) #### Programs - [Independent Living Support](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/life-skills-instruction/) - [Social Skills Supports](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/social-competencies/) - [Autism & LD College Programs](https://cipworldwide.org/curriculum/academic-support/) - [Autism & LD Summer Programs](https://cipworldwide.org/summer/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://cipworldwide.org/about-cip/faqs/) #### About CIP We’ve been helping young adults on the autism spectrum and with learning differences find success in college, employment, and independent living since 1984. Learn more about one of the world’s most comprehensive programs for young adults with learning differences [Request Information](https://cipworldwide.org/request-information/) OR [+1 (877) 566-9247](tel:+1-877-566-9247) ![Logo](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/cip_email-footer_OL.png) [![placeholder_200x200](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/facebook.png?width=128&name=facebook.png "placeholder_200x200")](http://www.facebook.com/collegeinternshipprogram) [![YouTube Icon](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/youtube.png?width=128&name=youtube.png "YouTube Icon")](http://www.youtube.com/collegeinternship) [![placeholder_200x200](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/twitter.png?width=128&name=twitter.png "placeholder_200x200")](https://twitter.com/CIPAdmissions) [![Linkedin Icon](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/linkedin.png?width=128&name=linkedin.png "Linkedin Icon")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-internship-program/) [![Instagram Icon](https://info.cipworldwide.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CIP_January2021/images/instagram.png?width=128&name=instagram.png "Instagram Icon")](https://www.instagram.com/cipworldwide/) - [Terms of Use](https://cipworldwide.org/terms-of-use/) - [Privacy Policy](https://cipworldwide.org/privacy-policy/) - [Accessibility](https://cipworldwide.org/accessibility/) © 2023 College Internship Program. All rights reserved. + Site Map - [About](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [CIP at a Glance](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/) - [Our Students](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-students/) - [Our Staff](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/our-staff/) - [Advisory Board](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/professional-advisory-board/) - [Outcomes & Statistics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/outcomes-statistics/) - [FAQs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/faqs/) - [Admissions](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Criteria & Process](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/criteria-process/) - [Tuition & Fees](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/tuition-fees/) - [Apply](https://www.cipworldwide.org/admissions/apply/) - [Curriculum](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Curriculum Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/overview/) - [Social Competencies](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/social-competencies/) - [Academic Support](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/academic-support/) - [Career Preparation](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/career-preparation/) - [Life Skills & Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/life-skills-instruction/) - [Advising](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/advising/) - [Executive Functioning](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/executive-functioning/) - [Health & Wellness](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/health-wellness/) - [Creative Arts](https://www.cipworldwide.org/curriculum/creative-arts/) - [Programs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Programs Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/) - [Full Year](https://cipworldwide.org/about-cip/services/cip-full-year-program/) - [Summer@CIP](https://www.cipworldwide.org/summer/) - [Graduate Living Community (GLC)](https://www.cipworldwide.org/glc/) - More - [Blog](https://www.cipworldwide.org/blog/) - [Events](https://www.cipworldwide.org/events/) - [Alumni](https://www.cipworldwide.org/alumni/) - [Careers at CIP](https://www.cipworldwide.org/careers/) - [Contact Us](https://www.cipworldwide.org/contact/) - CIP Berkshire - [Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/) - [Student Life](https://www..cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/student-life/) - [College Academics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/college-academic-support/) - [Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/berkshire-apartment-living/) - [Internships & Jobs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/internships-jobs/) - [Staff Profiles](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkshire/berkshire-staff-profiles/) - CIP Brevard - [Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/) - [Student Life](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/student-life/) - [College Academics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/college-academic-support/) - [Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/brevard-apartment-living/) - [Internships & Jobs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/internships-jobs/) - [Staff Profiles](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-brevard/brevard-staff-profiles/) - CIP Bloomington - [Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/) - [Student Life](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/student-life/) - [College Academics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/college-academic-supports/) - [Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/apartment-living/) - [Internships & Jobs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/internships-jobs/) - [Staff Profiles](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-bloomington/bloomington-staff-profiles/) - CIP Berkeley - [Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/) - [Student Life](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/student-life/) - [College Academics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/college-academic-support/) - [Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/berkeley-apartment-living/) - [Internships & Jobs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/internships-jobs/) - [Staff Profiles](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-berkeley/berkeley-staff-profiles/) - CIP Long Beach - [Overview](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/) - [Student Life](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/student-life/) - [College Academics](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/college-academics/) - [Apartment Living](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/long-beach-apartment-living/) - [Internships & Jobs](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/internships-jobs/) - [Staff Profiles](https://www.cipworldwide.org/cip-long-beach/long-beach-staff-profiles/)