Description
Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to guiding children, youth, families, and those with emotional and behavioral challenges that is exceptionally positive and inspiring. Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing. It begins with the belief that every young person has or can develop strengths and utilize past successes to mitigate problem behavior and enhance social and academic functioning. This comprehensive workshop will highlight many of the key principles and techniques of this transforming modality. Areas covered include: What is strength-based practice & describing the power of a positive attitude and culture; the effects of trauma and positive emotions on the brain; strength-based communication principles and techniques, including reframing, using solution-focused questions, positive-predicting, and inspirational metaphors; encouraging growth vs. fixed mindsets; self-esteem building and activities for at-risk children and youth; how to help cognitively-inflexible young people; the importance of being family-friendly; why, how, and when to use incentive plans; the importance of controlling personal emotions (i.e., managing number one first); respectful limit-setting; and a host of creative cognitive behavioral strategies.
Instructor
Charlie Appelstein, MSW, is a nationally prominent youth care specialist and author whose primary focus is on teaching positive, strength-based theories and techniques to professionals who guide at-risk children and youth. As President of Appelstein Training Resources, LLC, Charlie trains and consults throughout the United States, as well as internationally, with treatment facilities, foster care associations, parent groups, schools, and juvenile justice programs. He has authored three youth care books that are widely used within the field, including No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: Understanding and Responding to Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges Using a Positive, Strength-Based Approach. Charlie lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and daughter. Charlie's strength-based approach delivers a message of hope and possibility to our most vulnerable youth and those who shape and influence their lives.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
1:05 – 1:15 Registration/Log On
1:15 – 2:45
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What is strength-based practice & the power of a positive attitude & culture
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The effects of trauma and positive emotions on the brain
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Strength-based communication principles and techniques - including reframing, and inspirational metaphors
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The deleterious effects of "self-doubt" and how to help kids challenge self-defeating thinking
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Encouraging growth vs. fixed mindsets and self-esteem building & activities for at-risk children and youth
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:30
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Using solution-focused terminology
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The importance of instilling "hope" by openly discussing future opportunities and using positive-predicting.
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Using creative self-management strategies including rhythmic self-talk
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Respectful, relationship-based limit setting
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Being family friendly
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Strategies for managing number one first.
4:30 Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Describe the major principles of a positive, trauma-informed, strength-based approach to guiding at-risk children, youth, and families
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Discuss the importance of personal self-awareness and self-management in working with challenging clients
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Cite specific strength-based verbal interventions to better engage and guide at-risk clients
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Identify at least two specific cognitive-behavioral techniques that can help at-risk children, youth, and their parents to better self-manage their actions
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Analyze the deleterious effects of pejorative labeling and be better equipped to decode and reframe problem behavior
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Appelstein, C. No Such Thing As a Bad Kid: Understanding and Responding to Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges Using a Positive, Strength-Based Approach, Salem, NH, Soaring Wings Press. 2018.
Achor, S. The Happiness Advantage. New York, NY. Crown Press. 2010.
Fu, Daniel. A Strength-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Approach to Recovery: From Trapped to Liberated Self. Routledge, 2019.
Greene, R. The Explosive Child - Paperback Edition Harper Books, NY. 2021.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On October 31, 2024, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** Cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
