Kid strategy of the week:

• Calming Corner: Calming Corners can be an effective alternative to time-outs when kids are having a hard time. Work with the parent and child together to choose a spot in the house where the child can go whenever they need it: maybe a closet, a corner in a quiet room, or in a play tent. Involve the child in adding preferred activities and calming tools to the space, for example:

  • Coloring supplies

  • An old iPod or MP3 player with their favorite music

  • Twinkle lights

  • A favorite stuffed animal or cozy blanket

  • Bubbles (good for taking deep breaths)

  • Fidgets, sensory toys, play-doh

  • Gum or a snack, water bottle

• The calming corner is used as a resource, not a punishment or consequence for behaviors. Let the child know that they can visit it whenever they need a break or feel overwhelmed, angry, or anxious. They can come and go as they please, but it’s a tool available to them when they need it.

• Sample Progress Note: The focus of this session was… The therapist engaged the parent and child in creating a calming corner in their house and talked about ways that the child could use this space as a resource to practice self-regulating or taking a break when they are experiencing overwhelming emotions. The group discussed times when the child might want to use it, and the child identified (insert situations) when it might feel good to try their calming corner.

Couple strategy of the week:

• Strengths: “Research in positive psychology tells us that couples who are highly aware of their partner’s strengths tend to be far more satisfied with their relationships, and much less likely to separate or divorce (Kauffman & Silberman, 2009). Couples who are in a rut, or those who are already satisfied with their relationships, can both benefit from strengths-focused activities.” (source)

• Sample Progress Note: The focus of this session was… The therapist facilitated an exploratory activity with the couple to help them strengthen their relationship through strengths focusing. The couple (engaged/identified additional strengths/etc.) and reported that the activity was (helpful/fun/cute/boring).
• https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/couples-strengths-exploration.pdf

Adult strategy of the week:

• The Function of Emotions: Despite what we’re often told, happiness is not the default emotion for humans. The reality is that we need to experience all of our emotions; they each have a purpose. Our emotions provide us information that logic alone cannot give us. Review the table below and reflect on how each of these emotions have helped you in the past.

• Sample Progress Note: The focus of this session was… The therapist used psycho education and person centered therapy to help client learn about the function, meaning, and origin of their emotions. Client was (able/struggled to) label their emotions and identify the function of their emotions.

Mindfulness/meditation of the week:

• Dropping Suitcases of Worry and Regret Meditation: This meditation is suitable for clients who may be carrying worries about the future or regrets from their past and want to experience a break from these burdens:

• https://mindfulnessexercises.com/dropping-the-suitcases-of-worries-and-regrets/

• Sample progress note: The focus of this session was… The therapist led a meditation activity (i.e., Dropping Suitcases of Worry and Regret). Ct. (engaged/did not engage in the activity), and they reported that the activity was (helpful/difficult/not helpful).