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.
Click Here to Purchase Through Amazon
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.
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!
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
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