Please note that registration has closed for this training. No additional spaces are available.

Please register for our June 11th training in Sharon, MA here: www.sharonintrotraining2015.eventbrite.com

Think Differently: A New Approach for Parenting, Teaching and Treating Children with Behavioral Challenges

Sponsored by the Natick Public Schools

Morse Institute Library ● 14 East Central St. ● Natick, MA

Friday, April 10th, 2015● 8:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Think:Kids, a program in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), has partnered with Principal Kirk Downing of Brown Elementary and the Natick Public Schools to offer a one-day training program featuring Dr. Larry Epstein. This one-day introductory training provides a foundation for professionals and parents interested in learning the evidence-based approach to understanding and helping children and adolescents with behavioral challenges called Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). This training serves as the prerequisite for our professional intensive training seminars (Tier 1 and Tier 2).

The CPS approach provides a new way of understanding and helping kids who struggle with behavioral challenges. Challenging behavior has traditionally been thought of as willful and goal oriented which has led to approaches that focus on motivating better behavior using reward and punishment programs. If you’ve tried these strategies and they haven’t worked, this workshop is for you! At Think:Kids we have some very different ideas about why these kids struggle. Research over the past 30 years demonstrates that for the majority of these kids their challenges result from a lack of crucial thinking skills when it comes to things like problem solving, frustration tolerance and flexibility. The CPS approach, therefore, focuses on helping adults teach the skills these children lack while resolving the chronic problems that tend to precipitate challenging behavior. Through lecture, videos, case examples and role plays this one-day training will help you shift your thinking and approach to foster positive relationships with these children and encourage growth in areas of self-regulation, communication and problem solving.

Dr. Larry Epstein is Director of School-Based Services at Think:Kids, Assistant in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and Clinical Instructor in Psychology the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Epstein has extensive experience utilizing and teaching the Collaborative Problem Solving across a variety of settings including educational and clinical programs and outpatient practice. For 17 years before joining Think:Kids, Dr. Epstein worked for the Cherry Creek School District in Denver, Colorado during which time he helped develop the district’s intensive treatment program for students with significant behavioral challenges. He is also a nationally certified bullying prevention trainer and helped found the non-profit organization Creating Caring Communities.

Dr. Epstein received his Ph.D. in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver and completed his internship at The Children's Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

9:00-10:30

Philosophy and the Power of Conventional Wisdom

10:30-10:45

Break

10:45-12:00

Pathways to Challenging Behavior: Identifying Triggers and Lagging Thinking Skills

12:00-1:00

Lunch (on your own)

1:00-2:15

The Plans: Your Three Options for Responding to Problems

2:15-2:30

Break

2:30-3:30

Plan B: Solving Problems and Teaching Skills Collaboratively

3:30-4:00

Question and Answer / Further Resources

Fee

Individual Rate, $169. Group Rate, $159 for 2+ and $149 for 5+

If you would like to pay by check, or be invoiced: Select the amount of tickets you would like to purchase, then select "Show other payment methods" located under group rate and then "pay offline". Ysis will email you an invoice to process your Purchase Order or check.

Location

This training will take place at the Morse Institute Library Auditorium located at 14 East Central Street in Natick, MA. The library is located between Clarendon Street and Washington Street. Please see the map that was sent to you for locations on where to park. If you did not request a parking permit and map via email please see the training coordinator for a permit when you checkin.

Parking

Please note that parking is limited. If you will be driving to the training please email Ysis for a parking pass and instructions on where to park by Thursday at 5pm EST. Registrants are strongly advised to car pool or take the Commuter Rail. The Natick Center station is just a short walk away!

Deadline

No walk-ins accepted, please register early!

Cancellations

Non-refundable. Substitutions are permitted.

Questions

For questions regarding the training or assistance with your registration or payment please contact Ysis Moreria at 617-643-9331, training@thinkkids.org

Accreditation