Click here or the picture to watch the segment!
Discuss
Discuss the awkwardness (be straightforward) open honest and helpful.
Game Plan
Don’t over critique, maintain the relationship
-4 positive for every 1 negative to maintain relationships
-Have them determine their goal.
– Go through a ‘protocol’ in detail
Set Up (start small and work your way up)
-Set up positive social interactions on a regular basis with positive kids
-Get them into activities where there is a common goal. (sports, art class, yoga, martial arts, service projects)
GOAL: build their confidence and reduce anxiety.
Bug Out Plan
Always have a plan to get out quickly. Both you and them need to have the security of knowing you can leave at any point.
#1 RULE: If anyone wants to enable the plan there is no guilt, anger, or questioning- the goal changes to leaving in a calm but quick manner.
Recon & Regroup
-Discuss again: challenges, what supports would be helpful/were helpful, emotions, body reactions, modifications and why the bug out plan was initiated/or not.
Start the process over again.
Keep in Mind Parents!
-Stay calm no matter what happens. Don’t bring attention to add behaviors. DOn’t over correct them (we don’t want to que others in that there is an issue). If your really nervous, use the bug out plan.
-Don’t worry. Everyone goes through phases and there is nothing to ‘fix’. The goal is to help them find their niche in life.
-Find your own support that you can vent/talk too. These times can be stressful and tedious so it is nice to have someone to talk to and keep you focused.
Photo by Caleb Woods
Jessie Shepherd, MA, LCMHC is a Mental Health Counselor in Utah. She has a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. Her focus is treating trauma, eating disorders and adjustment issues in adults, adolescents, children and their families. She utilizes Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Neurological Feedback. She also works with performance anxiety and performance enhancement using EMDR and Neurological Feedback.