Change the Lens: Change the Life The Nurtured Heart Approach and more …

1. Change the Lens: Change the LifeThe Nurtured Heart Approach and more… Annie Lange, LMSW, ACSW www.AnnieLange.com 517 719 1523

2. Why are we here? Why are we here today???

3. Objectives • Describe relationships between trauma, brain function, attachment, empathy and relational connection between adult and children. • Discuss the neurobiology of the stress response. • Have a working knowledge of the thought cycle and its effects on feelings and behavior. • Discuss concrete strategies to support attachment, self/child regulation and healthy self-esteem, including the Nurtured Heart Approach Model.

4. Change our Lens Change the lives of Children and Adults

5. Every child is born withbeautiful potential

6. Potential Blocking Accident Natural Disaster • Violence • Domestic • Community • School Neglect Illness • Child Abuse • Sexual • Physical • Emotional Adversity

7. Caregivers can makea difference…

8. Attachment Care Giving Video

10. Effects of Trauma & Stress • Adaptation vs Pathology (Survival) • Goal: • Build positive developmental pathways and competencies that support current and future resilience. • Blaustein, Kinniburgh 2010

11. Core Concepts of Childhood Development • Nurturing & dependable relationships = healthy childhood development • Humans hardwired to connect • Attachment changes the brain • Child development shaped by nature and nurture, biology and experience • Blaustein, Kinniburgh 2010

12. Core Concepts of Childhood Development • Self regulation is essential for child development and life-long health • Balance of risk factors and protective factors determines level of healthy development • Orlans, Levy 2006

13. Care giver’s developmental health impacts child’s developmental health

14. The Developing Brain

15. The Developing Brain • The brain is a social organ and develops in the context of relationship • Genes provide framework, life experiences directs final construction • “Use it or lose it” • The first three years of life is most critical

16. Triune Brain

17. The Brain Rational Brain Mammalian Brain Reptilian Brain

18. Adverse Childhood Experience Study • Adults who experienced at least four traumatic events in childhood have increased risk of: • Morbid Obesity • Smoking • Depression • Illness • Unwanted Teen Pregnancy • Domestic Violence • Felitt and Anda (2003)

19. Trauma and Memory • Explicit Memory: non emergency memory, logical, has words • Implicit Memory: expressed in body as well as emotions, created by neural firing, no time stamp, experienced as if in the “NOW” moment

20. ADHD Disabilities vs. Hyper-Arousal • Inability to be reflective – think before acting • Selectivity: unable to focus and screen out important from the unimportant • Continuity of Attention: inability to sustain attention and complete assignments • Self-awareness and self-regulation: not able to be responsive to positive and negative reinforcement

21. Neuroplasticity The ability to change patterns of energy and information in response to new experience The hope of healing lies in the ability both within the mind and between minds to modify wired in painful and frightening experiences Psychotherapy/care giving can be a mutual engagement that can change both structure and function of the brain= Neural Integration Badenoch, 2008

22. Human Danger Response Step 1: Danger Beliefs “lens of danger” Step 2: Body and Behavior Responses “Fight – Flight – Freeze” Step 3: Compromised Healthy Development Regulation Self * Social * Cognitive Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

23. Common Childhood Trauma Triggers • Perceived lack of power or control • Unexpected change • Feeling threatened or attacked • Feeling vulnerable or frightened • Feeling shame • Feeling deprivation or need • Intimacy and positive attention Blaustein, Kinniburgh 2010

24. Attachment Healing • Caregiver Management of Affect • Attunement • Consistent response • Routine & Rituals • Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

25. Challenging Child BehaviorTriggering Adult • Child’s triggered response • Anger / Opposition/ Blame • Demand for affection • Patterns of approach and rejection • Extreme response to stressors • Reduced sense of efficacy • Guilt/ Shame • Shutting down or contradicting • Over-reactive • Being overly permissive • Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

26. Affect Management • Self-monitoring skills • Body ~ Thought ~ Emotion ~ Behavior • Affect Management Skills • Building a Support System • Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

27. Affect ManagementTaking Care of Self • Deep Breathing • Muscle Relaxation • Distraction / Movement (Tai Chi) • Self Soothing / Self Care • Thought Cycle • Mindfulness/Thought Surfing • Meditation • QTIP

28. Thought Cycle

29. Thought Travel

30. Thought-based Principles • First Step: Awareness / Mindfulness / Attention • State of Mind not dependent on what is going on • 90% of time it is the thought not the event that determines the experience • Response Ability • Passenger or Driver of the Thought-Train

31. What is Stress? • Circumstances • + • Thought Story • + • Rule Book (agreements) • + • State of Mind

32. Understanding Triggers • Trigger: A reminder of a past event that can lead to same set of emotions and behaviors Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

33. Attachment & Triggers • Avoid or withdraw from Caregiver • Overly clingy and unable to take in support • Freeze • Appear “manipulative” or try to control • Conflict approach / avoidant behavior Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

35. Muddy Mind

36. Wheel of Awareness Siegel, Bryson 2011

37. Mindfulness Thoughts Feelings Behavior Something Happens Viewed through our Lens

38. Mindfulness • Awareness on Purpose • Of Present Experience • With Acceptance

39. With… Curiosity Kindness Compassion

40. Thought Surfing

41. Thought Surfing • Identify Thought • Sit back and watch, don’t act, observe • Note the sensations • Be aware of triggers • Remember it is temporary, transient • Use a helpful mantra “This too shall pass” • Keep practicing Steven Handel

42. Meditation Belleruth Naparstek

43. Change the Dance, Change the Child: Attunement • “I see you”, “I hear you” • Attunement is a moment to moment, day to day process • Attunement fosters co-regulation

44. Consistent Caregiver Response • Active Listening • Self Regulation • Focus on Positive • Consistent behavior management • Blaustein & Kinniburgh 2010

45. Star Q Tip Care giver Strategies (Bailey, 2001)

46. The Nurtured Heart Approach • Utilizes the challenges and intensity to create success • Creates first-hand success in the “NOW” moment • Helps create a new portfolio for the Child

47. The Nurtured Heart Approach The approach has three basic aspects: Super-energizing experiences of success. Refusing to energize or accidentally reward negativity. Providing a perfect level of limit-setting and consequences.

48. The adult in a child’s world is the ultimate prize ! parent*teachers*workers When do we give the $100 bills?

49. The Three Legged Approach #1 I will purposefully create success for the child #2 I refuse to be drawn into accidentally rewarding and energizing the negative #3 I will provide a true consequence when the rule is broken

50. More than catching kids being good!!! “Shamu” “Toll Booth Man”