271 Courses

– the practical skills you need High levels of anxiety can be very debilitating – this workshop gives you important insights and a wide range of proven techniques to help reduce long-term anxiety, panic attacks, GAD and much more… Accredited CPD Certificate : 6 hours Length 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) Jo is incredibly adept at teaching this important subject, backed up with evidence and so many useful techniques. Thank youCATHERINE, FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER What will you learn Tried and tested psychological techniques for dealing with over-anxiety Why it’s important to distinguish between two fundamental kinds of anxiety – and methods for dealing with both How to recognise panic attacks and deal with them effectively The genetic factors that make some people more vulnerable to anxiety Ways to change a poor sleep pattern caused by anxiety New perspectives on what drives anxiety – including when its basis lies in trauma Why some people may dissociate (appear to ‘tune out’ or not be present) when very stressed, and what to do about it The three different components of anxiety – and why anxiety can get out of control How anxiety affects the body – and how the body affects anxiety Why people become hypervigilant – and how this can be reduced How to separate a person from their anxiety Five effective methods for bringing down physiological arousal very quickly – and safely Why social anxiety occurs and how to handle it Tips for reducing anxiety in those with additional conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD, bipolar and borderline personality disorder What happens in the brain when we become anxious – insights from neuroscience How guided imagery speeds up treatment for high anxiety plus special tips for using it with clients suffering from over-anxiety How stories can complement therapy for anxiety A range of new skills and techniques for reducing severe anxiety, with plenty of opportunity to practise them yourself on the day Very useful - lots of practical new anxiety management techniquesCOUNSELLOR Why take this course More and more people’s lives are being blighted by anxiety, causing distress to all involved. The anxiety may have initially been focused on realistic, understandable concerns – such as financial difficulties, health, job insecurity or unemployment, relationship problems (particularly complex in blended families) or fears about the future in an increasingly uncertain world – but has spiralled out of control. Or it may have no clear cause and manifests as an ever-present feeling of being ‘wired’, tense or vulnerable, very often accompanied by out-of-control thoughts. The person may be hypervigilant, unable to relax and highly miserable. Left unaddressed, chronic anxiety can also badly affect sleep and physical, as well as mental, health. The good news is there’s much that we can do to reduce this suffering. This highly practical course focuses on giving you the key information and practical skills you need to lower anxiety levels and help people manage their own anxiety better. It concentrates on generalised anxiety (including generalised anxiety disorder – GAD), social anxiety and panic attacks, but also addresses how to handle anxiety that is a feature of conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, ADHD and bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Good to know This day complements the Online Course: ‘Understanding anxiety – and managing it without drugs’ Trauma, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders are dealt with on separate practical skills training days (see “The Rewind Technique – Effective treatment for trauma (PTSD) and phobias” and “Obsessive compulsive disorder – understanding OCD and how best to treat it.”) Course Programme The ‘How to Control Chronic Anxiety’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am Understanding the causes, indications and impacts of chronic anxiety 11.00am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.30am Approaches to help overcome difficulties with anxiety 1.00pm Lunch (included) 1.45pm Anxiety and associated conditions 3.00pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.15pm Using guided imagery and mental rehearsal 4.00pm Day ends Who is this course suitable for? Anyone who works with or treats people who may be highly anxious – such as psychotherapists, counsellors, health and social care professionals, educators and individuals working in a variety of capacities in any number of organisations. The course will also provide valuable understanding and practical help for anyone struggling to deal with their own chronic anxiety or for those in relationships or families affected by chronic anxiety.* The day offers the chance to gain life skills of benefit to everyone. * Please Note: This course is not a substitute for individual therapy but there are lots of techniques that anyone suffering from anxiety can take away and use themselves. This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Leading mental health for supervisors, team leaders and managers is about leading your team and mental health first aiders to a healthy productive way, increasing respect, getting a mutual understanding for todays and tomorrows workforce.

In this course we explore how we have attempted to build inclusive circles of support around individuals and contrast this with a radical approach to hospitality and community building – the Community Circle. The purpose of community circles is to bring people from a local community together to share their skills, talents, gifts and resources. This idea is based upon the premise that ALL of us need three things in our lives to make us happy and fulfilled: these are money, friendship and meaning. We believe that everyone needs community, everyone needs to be heard and everyone needs to have fun. Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Creating Community Circles Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Category Inclusion Peer Support Parents and Carers   Description  Building Community Circles In this course we explore how we have attempted to build inclusive circles of support around individuals and contrast this with a radical approach to hospitality and community building – the Community Circle. The purpose of community circles is to bring people from a local community together to share their skills, talents, gifts and resources. This idea is based upon the premise that ALL of us need three things in our lives to make us happy and fulfilled: these are money, friendship and meaning. We believe that everyone needs community, everyone needs to be heard and everyone needs to have fun. Community Circles are based upon reciprocity and the assumption that EVERYONE has both gifts and needs – whether these are labelled or not. The circles adopt the fundamental value of inclusion that ‘all means all’, no one is excluded from community circles, instead the circle members work out how to include everyone equally and safely. A community circle is made up of participants and allies from the local community. The meeting starts with everyone sharing food and conversations. Next the group comes together in a circle so that everyone can see each other and shares what is good and new in their lives, everyone gets a turn to be listened to. ‘New and Good’ breaks the habit of thinking about and acting from what’s wrong, it is an exercise of giving and receiving attention with one another and it also provides a strong foundation of strengths from which we can think about and tackle difficulties. The group is then asked the question what do they want, need or have to offer. Community circles provide a great foundation or starting point from which to explore connections, build relationships, locate resources and share skills. These circles will be a particularly important resource for Brokers and the people that they work for. They provide a safe forum in which people can meet and friendships can start, a natural reservoir of people and relationships where people can be invited to offer their time and capacity. To be successful we have to start from a belief in inclusion. A belief that: 1 We are all born ‘in’. 2 All means all. 3 Everyone needs to belong. 4 Everyone is ready. 5 Everyone needs support. 6 Everyone can communicate. 7 Everyone can contribute. 8 Together we’re better. Learning Objectives For participants to learn how to create a Community Circle. For participants to understand the underlying rationale and ethos of this way of working. To explore ways of maximising an individual’s inclusion and connection with the wider community. To explore ways of helping with friendship, social connection and education. To increase confidence, social skills and presence of disabled adults and those with a wide range of need in their local community by focusing on their contribution. Who Is It For? Anyone interested in mobilising the community to make it more inclusive around disabled or challenging individuals. Course Content Understanding ordinary needs – plus the true dimensions of social inclusion Building relationships Creating natural circles of support Creating a community circle If you like this you will almost certainly enjoy: Person Centred Planning using PATH and MAPS

Peer mediation is an approach to impacting on conflict resolution and bullying in primary and secondary schools by training pupils to be mediators or ‘counsellors’. This well proven, highly effective method of impacting on school based bullying is still viewed by some as radical. In this workshop participants are introduced to the key components of successful schemes. Our trainers have first hand experience of setting up school based schemes and sustaining these over time. Peer Mediation Training Guide Online Course now available via Teachable Platform – Peer Mediation Learn at your own pace… lots of text and video support Course Category Peer Support Description Peer mediation or peer counselling is an approach to impacting on bullying in primary and secondary schools by training pupils to be ‘Peer Mediators’ or ‘counsellors’. This well proven, highly effective method of impacting on school based bullying is still viewed by some as radical. We can provide training for staff or direct training with students across the age range – typically delivered over 6 short high impact, interactive learning workshops. For staff training, participants are introduced to the key components of successful schemes. Our trainers have first hand experience of setting up school based schemes and sustaining these over time. Enjoy participating in a multi media workshop that will challenge, entertain and reach for your emotions. Watch young people doing their stuff! Testimonials Thank you for the course – I really enjoyed it Learning Objectives To be able to understand the values and wider context of peer support To be able to set up and run a peer counselling scheme to reduce bullying To understand and be able to maximise the power of the peer group in supporting relationships, achievement and behaviour change Who Is It For ? Year 5 or Year 10 pupils Primary and secondary teachers Heads and Deputies SENCOs Learning Support and Guidance staff Advanced Skills Teachers Parents Local Authority Support Services Community Development workers Early Years and School based Practitioners Course Content The course answers the questions : What do you do with major bullying problems in school? Practically how do we go about recruiting and training pupils as counsellors? Will pupils be hurt if we involve them with bullies? Key Themes covered within the direct student training as well as in the staff development sessions- include: Issues of Confidentiality Welcoming your ‘client’ Using active listening skills Using Open and Closed Questions to enable your client to tell you his or her story How to reflect back feelings and how to check you have understood what the client has told you Exploring options for resolving the bullying issue with your client This video gives a brief taster of the work in a Nottingham Primary school. If you liked this course you may well like: PEER SUPPORT AS AN ANTI-BULLYING STRATEGY AT LOCAL AUTHORITY LEVEL

FAA Level 2 Award In First Aid For Youth Mental Health (RQF) Classroom (1 day course), Virtual (3 x 2½ hour sessions) Gives learners knowledge of Youth Mental Health First Aid Gives learners the skills to help young people with mental health problems and improve their mental health Course Contents: What is Youth Mental Health? The role of the mental health first aider Identifying mental health conditions Recognising and managing Stress Mental health conditions Recognising a range of mental health conditions:DepressionAnxietyPsychosisEating disordersSuicideSelf-harmPost-traumatic stress disorderConduct disorders - BullyingDrugs and alcohol Mental health first aid action plan Benefits of this course: These figures, taken from the Young Minds website show clearly how many young people suffer with their mental health... One in six children aged five to 16 are identified as having a probable mental health problem That means that, on average, five children in every classroom have a mental health problem 80% of young people with mental health needs agreed that the coronavirus pandemic had made their mental health worse Suicide was the leading cause of death for males and females aged between five to 34 in 2019 Around half of 17-19 year-olds with a diagnosable mental health disorder has self-harmed or attempted suicide at some point In 2018-19, 24% of 17-year-olds reported having self-harmed in the previous year, and seven per cent reported having self-harmed with suicidal intent at some point in their lives So please, learn more about how to help these youngsters, and give them the chance to live happy, healthy lives Accredited, Ofqual regulated qualification Our Mental Health First Aid Courses are nationally recognised, Ofqual regulated qualifications accredited by First Aid Awards Ltd in association with NUCO Training. This means that you can be rest assured that your Mental Health First Aid Certificates fulfill the upcoming legal requirements and are a very good way to make sure you and your employees have a supporting workplace to deal with staff's mental health conditions. The Ofqual Register number for this course is 603/7176/6

In-depth analysis of relationship history Personality test Self-improvement Dating advice for singles Introspection Understanding your core needs Behavioural pattern exercises Inclusive free support calls

Join us for a day of discussions and insights on EDI and the Six Stages Framework at our in-person event on June 28, 2024!     THE EDI ROUNDTABLE & SIX STAGES FRAMEWORK CONFERENCE 2024 Navigating & Challenging Everyday Racism and Discriminations. Embedding EDI into your Workplace & Schools Frameworks for Measuring Impact & Progress   Don't miss out on our Annual trailblazing event! Our pioneering event is back by popular demand. Empower your own self development and improve diversity and inclusion in your organisation or workplace. Check out testimonials from last year.   Tickets are now on sale. Only £30 including lunch!   Book now     https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edi-round-table-event-and-the-six-stages-framework-conference-2024-tickets-884939155837?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl   Join Us In Creating a More Inclusive World.   Are you ready to dive deep into the complexities of equality, diversity, and inclusion? Have you ever wondered how different sectors can collaborate to enhance racial justice and belonging in our ever-evolving society?   Online agenda and details of speakers and panelists https://www.sixstagesframework.com/edi-agenda/   Check out our Speaker/Panelists and Hosts. https://www.sixstagesframework.com/edi-round-table-2024/   https://youtu.be/DDfQtNJsNKE https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edi-round-table-event-and-the-six-stages-framework-conference-2024-tickets-884939155837?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl    Information for Schools https://www.sixstagesframework.com/schools/   What's Involved? This one-day event is not to be missed. We understand the challenges many face in embedding EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) into the fabrics of their organisation.    The Six Stages Inclusive Framework helps organisation (and schools) go beyond performative measures: cultural celebrations, conversations about unconscious bias and white privilege to real action and implementation.    It supports evidence-based practice and data gathering, obtaining base line measures through the Six Stages Framework Diversity Assessments which enable you to chart your progress.   Who’s the Conference For? Corporate Organisations Schools & Local Authorities Health Services Higher Education Police and Criminal Justice Anyone passionate about EDI   An amazing venue!   The Conference will take place at St Martin-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ on June 28th, 2024, set in the heart of London. Take a 3D tour of our venue here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=74N3JkZtuq4   Engage with Visionaries   Check out our Speaker/Panelists and Hosts. https://www.sixstagesframework.com/edi-round-table-2024/   Start your day with groundbreaking insights from leading experts. Our opening address and keynotes will set the stage for a series of powerful discussions, including:   Diverse Cross-Functional Roundtable: Engage with top professionals in a dynamic panel discussion, followed by an audience Q&A. Exclusive stimulating and thought-provoking conversation between the dynamic sister duo, Afua Hirsch: Award-winning writer, journalist, former barrister and filmmaker; and  Dr. Ama Collison: Millennial Psychology Limited. Networking Lunch: Connect with like-minded individuals and grow your professional network over lunch.  Afternoon Sessions: Dr. Shungu H. M'gadzah: will present a compelling keynote on "The Six Stages Framework: Understanding and Dealing with Everyday Racism.”  Exploring practical applications in various sectors and drawing from the SSF transformational toolkit.   Workshops: To consolidate and explore the days learning and make recommendations to be published in our annual report.   Who's Speaking? Dr. Shungu H. M'gadzah: Six Stages Framework & Inclusion Psychologists Ltd Dr. Ama Collison: Millennial Psychology Afua Hirsch: Award-winning writer, journalist, former barrister and filmmaker   Visit the wide range of market stalls and bookstore on display.  Explore the books from This is Book Love an award-winning collective and bookstore curating and showcasing and bringing together the best multicultural content the world of arts has to offer Schools, Nurseries, Public and corporate spaces www.thisisbooklove.com   Get Your Tickets Tickets are now on sale. Join us for our Annual trailblazing event! Only £30 including lunch!     Book now       https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edi-frameworks-for-inclusive-organisations-measuring-impact-tickets-909290140287?aff=oddtdtcreator     https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edi-round-table-event-and-the-six-stages-framework-conference-2024-tickets-884939155837?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl   Link for more Information & Testimonials about last year’s event: https://www.inclusionpsychologists.com/post/exploring-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-through-different-professional-lenses-the-six-stages-fr-2   For sponsorship opportunities or Market stalls contact Dr. Shungu at: drshungu@inclusionpsychologists.comor Dr Ama Dr. Ama Collison    Market stalls: We also have space for market stalls at a cost of £100 so if you know organisations who may be interested. Sponsorship: In terms of sponsorship, we are looking for any contribution to costs. We currently have one sponsor- Inclusivitti. https://www.inclusivitii.com/ Support with the event and donations Any help in publicising the event would be appreciated as well as any donations or sponsors. Organisers: https://www.inclusionpsychologists.com/ Dr Shungu H. M'gadzah, Six Stages Framework https://www.millennialpsychology.co.uk/ Dr Ama Collison: Millennial Psychology https://www.diversifyworld.com/ Mr Romain Muhammad: Diversify World Sponsors: Inclusivitti https://www.inclusivitii.com/ Venue: St Martin- in- the- Fields Here is the link to our online 3D tour. Take a 3D tour of our venue here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=74N3JkZtuq4 Best wishes,   Shungu   Dr Shungu Hilda M'gadzah Director & Lead Consultant Psychologist Inclusion Psychologists Ltd Tel: 07956 965 266   AUTHOR: Understanding & Dealing with Everyday Racism- The Six Stages Framework The Six Stages Framework Book   https://www.sixstagesframework.com   www.inclusionpsychologists.com  https://www.inclusionpsychologists.com/book-online   Psychology today directory https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/774567   Follow me on twitter. https://twitter.com/DrShunguM   LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/shunguhildamgadzah/

The latest mind body research gives us profound insights into the effects on mental health of 'physical' factors, including breathwork and time in Nature, new ways to improve mental and physical health, and more… This wide-ranging day will deepen your knowledge of the mind-body system and the impact ‘physical factors’ can have on our emotions, state of mind and memory – with additional ways to help people quickly and effectively… Accredited CPD: 6 hours Length: 1 day (9.30am - 4.00pm) A brilliant framework to understand the neurobiology of our needs and how to manage stressDR ALLY JAFFEE, NHS DOCTOR Why take this course Having a deeper understanding of the latest research into the effects on mental health of ‘physical’ factors – such as movement and exercise, time in Nature, ‘breathwork’ and real-time connection with others – enables us to tailor powerful therapeutic interventions and deliver more informed psycho-education. This jam-packed day also covers the physiology of responses such as ‘freeze, fight or flight’, the effects of physical activity on emotional, mental, memory and brain health, why stress can become chronic, the many ways we can activate our innate capacity to restore calm through our breath and attention, why these relaxation techniques work and what they do for us physically. The findings you will explore on the workshop have implications for many areas of mental health, even addiction, and give us additional ways to help people resolve many difficulties quickly and effectively, as well as improve overall health. The HG approach recognises that meeting our emotional needs and using our resources well are key to good mental health – yet the impact of ‘physical’ factors on our emotions and state of mind can be just as profound. Even though our physical needs may appear obvious – a healthy diet, regular physical exercise etc – we know that most of the chronic diseases sweeping through the Western World are linked to “lifestyle”, indicating that many people are not actually meeting their physical needs in healthy balanced ways – despite the vast array of information available to them. Finding clarity about how best to meet our own physical needs can also help us maintain our capacity to help others. Throughout the day, Dr Andrew Morrice, a practising GP, draws on both the latest research and his decades of experience managing the complex combination of mental and physical health problems in General Practice (20 of those years using the Human Givens model). We will sift the sense from the nonsense, and see the fundamentals behind the buzzwords and trends, making it easier to think clearly about our own health as well as that of our patients or clients… Really insightful course with an amazing way into practical applications of the HG concepts...ALIYA DRAKE, HG THERAPIST What will you learn How the now well-known human ‘needs and resources’ relate to our evolutionary past, and physical lives The many ways physical movement affects the functioning of the mind and our emotions A deeper look into the physiology of emotional responses, such as ‘fight, flight, freeze’ and their impact on health Greater knowledge of the fundamentals of how we can find calm – and the very many ways these can be used to help people New information from the latest mind/body research that has implications for therapeutic lifestyle changes Also covered: What is ‘health’? And how do we get it? Key practices to support your own health, as well as your clients’ How to avoid the unhelpful psychology and aversive ‘pattern match’ that many of us have when it comes to ‘exercise’ Whether we can really be addicted to exercise and if so why? A deeper understanding about the role of “Green Space” in mental health Increased knowledge of the ways in which physical changes in the body contribute to emotional distress The many ways in which movement and physical activity are connected with mental health How thinking and moving, memory and place are inextricably linked Why stress becomes chronic (long-lasting) Greater clarity about the role some emotions play in creating physical ill health – and the powerful ways in which other emotional states promote health (including the key role of oxytocin) The science of the relaxation and oxytocin responses, and how these relate to many types of addiction, including smoking Organising ideas to understand how 6 different types of relaxation practice relate to each other A practical exploration of the many ways the relaxation response can be activated through breath and attention – including a new technique for dealing with panic Why some people may have come to believe that ‘the breathing’ can’t or won’t help them Summaries of the role of diet and sleep on our health – along with the factors considered today in ‘Therapeutic Lifestyle Change’ Time to ask our expert tutor questions and benefit from group discussions Course Programme The ‘The Mind-Body Connection in depth: Movement, Emotion and Calm’ course starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.00pm. From 8.30am Registration (Tea and coffee served until 9.25am) 9.30am What is health and how do we 'get it'? 10.45am Discussion over tea/coffee 11.15am The physiology of fear and calm 12.45pm Lunch (included) 1.30pm The physiology of rapport (and other topics) 2.45pm Discussion over tea/coffee 3.00pm Physical domains of mental health 4.00pm Day ends Who is this course suitable for? This course is open to anyone interested in mental and/or physical health If you enjoyed the original 1-day Mind-Body Connection course and would like time to explore in more detail the themes covered in the first half of that course, this new course is for you Please note:  you don’t need to have attended the previous Mind-Body Connection course to come on this one, or its sister course ‘Food, Mood and Sleep’. This course has been independently accredited by the internationally recognised CPD Standards Office for 6 hours of CPD training. On completion of this training you’ll receive CPD certificates from the College and the CPD Standards Office.

Click to read more about this training, in which we demonstrate a live problem solving approach which is based on the active participation of family members. Course Category Inclusion Parents and Carers Behaviour and relationships Problem Solving Description In this training we demonstrate a live problem solving approach which is based on the active participation of family members. ‘Family Circles’ is an evolving new approach to problem solving with families and is based on our years of family work and the development and use of the Circle of Adults process. Inspired by our own Parent Solutions work and the Circle of Adults process as well as Family Group Conferencing and other Restorative Interventions we bring you Family Circles. Essentially the approach involves gathering a family together for a process that is facilitated but majors on the family members offering each other their wisdom and ideas. The approach is capacity focused, person centred approach to working with families rather than the dominant deficit oriented and ‘medical model’ of viewing and planning for or doing things to families. This training can be modelled with a group of professionals or better still with a family. In our work with families we develop the importance of naming stories or theories and seeking linkages and synthesis between what is found out and explored about the family situation and its history. We like participants to sit with the uncertainty, to reflect on the question ‘why’ but without judgement of each other. Deeper reflections may span a whole range of perspectives from ‘within person’ considerations, to situational or systemic possibilities. Health or emotional issues can be reflected on alongside organisational or transactional aspects of what is going on for the family. The better the shared understanding the better the strategy or actions which emerge from these meetings. Quality hypotheses with a close fit to reality lead to more effective implementation in the real world. We encourage ‘loose’ thinking, a search for connections, deeper listening, an ‘open mind’, speculation and exploration without moral judgements. From this stance self-reflection as well as reflection on the situation can produce remarkable insights. The quality of theories or new stories generated is directly influenced by family members’ experiences and the models of learning, behaviour and emotion, systems, educational development, change and so on that they have been exposed to.  Learning Objectives To provide opportunities for: Shared problem solving in a safe exploratory climate in which the family will find its own solutions. Individuals to reflect on their own actions and strategies An exploration of whole-family processes and their impact Emotional support and shared understandings of issues at a child, parent, family, school and community level. Feed back to each other on issues, ideas and strategies that are agreed to be worth sharing with them. Who Is It For? Anyone interested in working with families in a way that builds and makes use of their capacities rather than focus on their challenges and difficulties. Social Care teams School staff Community organisers Educational Psychologists Course Content True family empowerment Deepening shared stories and understandings Facilitating groups Problem solving process Handling family group communication Allowing direct feedback and challenge between participants in a safe way Building relationships Process: Family members are welcomed: Introductions are carried out, ground rules and aims clarified whilst coffee is drunk. A recap from the last session is carried out: To follow up developments and reflections after the last meeting. One issue is selected for the main focus Issue presentation: The family member who raised the concern is asked questions to tell the ‘story’ of the issue or problem. Additional questions/information from the group about the problem are gathered: Ground rules may need to be observed carefully here. Individual participants need to be kept focused and prevented from leaping to premature conclusions or to making ‘helpful’ suggestions about strategy. Relationship aspects to the problem are explored. Metaphors and analogies are invited. How would a fly on the wall see your relationship? If you were alone together on a desert island, what would it be like? Impact of previous relationships/spillage from one relationship to another are explored. Eg what situation they are reminded of? For instance, does this situation remind you of any of those angry but helpless feelings you had with your other son when he was an adolescent? This provides opportunities to reflect on how emotions rub off on other people. The parent feels really frustrated, and on reflection we can see that so does the child System/Organisation factors (Family system/school and community systems and so on): What aspects help or hinder the problem? For instance, does the pastoral system of the local school provide space, or time and skilled personnel able to counsel this young person and work actively with their parents? Synthesis. At this stage the Graphic facilitator summarises what they have heard. They then go on to describe linkages and patterns in what they have heard. This can be very powerful. The person doing the graphic work has been able to listen throughout the presentation process and will have been struck by strong messages, emotions and images as they have arisen. The story and meaning of what is happening in the situation may become a little clearer at this point. Typical links may be ‘mirrored emotions’ strong themes such as loss and separation issues, or repeated processes such as actions triggering rejection. This step provides an excellent grounding for the next process of deepening understanding. What alternative strategies/interventions are open to be used? Brainstormed and recorded. ’Either/ors’ need to be avoided at this time also. This needs to be a shared session in which the family member who is presenting the concern contributes as much as anyone. Care is needed to ensure that this person is not overloaded with other people’s strategies. The final selection of strategy or strategies from the brainstormed list is the problem presenter’s choice. Strategies might include: a special time for the young person, a meeting with the child’s parents to explore how she is being managed at home and to share tactics, a home-school diary, counselling, or an agreed action plan that all are aware of, agreed sanctions and rewards and so forth. Strategies may productively involve processes of restitution and restoration, when ‘sorry’ is not enough. Making it right, rather than punishments or rewards, may then becomes the focus. First Steps. The problem presenter is finally asked to agree one or two first steps which they can carry out over the next 3-7 days. It can help to assign a ‘coach’ who will check in with them to ensure they have carried out the action they have named. This is a time to be very specific. Steps should be small and achievable. The person is just ‘making a start’. A phone call, or making an agreement with a key other person not present at the meeting would be ideal examples. Final reflections. Sometimes referred to as a ‘round of words’ help with closure for all involved. Reflections are on the process not the problem. In large families this is best done standing in a circle. In smaller groups all can remain sitting. Passing around a ‘listening stick’ or something similar such as a stone or light heighten the significance of the process ending and improve listening. Finally the problem presenter is handed the ‘Graphic’ this is their record of the meeting and can be rolled and presented ceremoniously by the facilitators for maximum effect! If you liked this course you may well like: Parent Solutions

THE BRAINCHILD FOUNDATION COURSE: identifying neuro-developmental issues (BCF)