"Sam Feels Better Now!" Two Week Group Curriculum

"Sam Feels Better Now!" is a wonderful interactive story written by Jill Osborne.  It is perfect for a 10 day or 2 week group.  There are 8 interactive exercises in the book.  I worked with the kids on four exercises the first week, one for each day, and then reviewed on Friday.  We followed the same pattern the second week.

Activities include themes of identifying the feelings of fear internally and externally, disclosing trauma, and then rebuilding trust and safety.

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On the last day, I handed out a reward certificate to each client.  They were all very excited as many of them do not regularly earn rewards at school despite them all being extremely intelligent and creative.

On a separate note, I have began incorporating a saying that I borrowed from one of the fabulous teachers I work with.  When reading she will say "You made a connection!"  She does this when they relate something in the book to a personal story, something similar they have learned, or even about the construction of a word or sentence.  I have started pointing out to clients when "You made a connection!" when they are able to apply insight or to relate the material to other areas of their lives.

A new thing that has started happening is that clients run (literally run ;) into group shouting

"Ms. Jessica!!! I made a connection today!"

They then share how they have implemented something we have been working on or that they have recognized it in others.

This small addition of a sentence has increased insight for many clients.  I am so thankful to teachers like Ms. Elmore whose compassion and creativity inspire me everyday :)

"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name."  1 Chronicles, 16:28-29

My Power Switch!
Addressing Anxiety and Trauma Reactions

In group last week we discussed what it is like to be flooded with emotion, how to express this, and then how to "Turn our switch OFF."

First, we read a wonderful book called Please Explain "Anxiety" To Me!

Please click on the following link to see the article written based on the material here in The Digital Journal, "Therapy for Kids -- Turning the Power Switch On"

It takes children (and parents) through the flight, fight, and freeze model.  It helps kids to share and discuss the feeling of being overtaken by their emotions through their sympathetic nervous systems.  This is often a difficult experience to explain, but this book makes it simple and relatable.

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We then used BioDots to show our level of anxiety before and after calming skills.  We completed a different calming skill each day including deep breathing, yoga, meditation, playing outside, and talking to a friend.

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Lastly, on Friday I introduced a new activity.  Instead of the Brown Grab Bags, we used Story Cubes.  The kids LOVED these!  They have also been very successful in individual therapy this week, and they are super compact for site-based work.

So much fun!

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Such an exciting week.  The children not only were able to realize when their switch was on, but noticed it in others as well!  Building empathy is a huge hurdle for many children, and this theme opened this door for many group members.  It helped parents to relate to what it is like for their children to be flooded with emotion.  We will definitely be repeating this week's material very soon.  Our "Power Switch" has become a staple in our group vocabulary.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.  Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men."
Psalm 107, 28-31