Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation

On Parents Who Are Supported and Valued By Society: They give rise to mentally healthy children

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:12:00 +0000

When parents are supported and valued by society, they are able to be fully present with their children, in turn helping to grow healthy brains. Children who grow up in an attuned caregiving environment are flexible, resilient, and empathic. In contrast, when children experience toxic stress, or stress in the absence of a safe, secure caregiving relationship, the parts of their brains responsible for emotional regulation do not develop normally. What results are symptoms that are then labeled "mental illness."

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/childinmind/2013/05/to_cdc_on_childrens_mental_hea_2.html

So often mental illness has its basis in early childhood experiences. The opposite is also true -- mental health has its basis in early childhood experiences. -gw

On the 3rd Regional Washington State Parent-Child Interaction Conference: Complete pics and video

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:38:00 +0000

3rd Regional Washington State Parent-Child Interaction Conference

Above is the link to the collection of all sets of photos and videos from the 3rd Regional Washington State Parent-Child Interaction Conference held early last month in Des Moines, Washington. There is so much to draw from here, so much that speaks to the central focus of this blog. -gw

Arriving at aLandmark

13 photos | Edit

Fancy place tohave a training

31 photos | Edit

1st Day Photos - PCIT...

156 photos | Edit

Welcome andintroductionof...

2 photos, 2 videos | Edit

KeynoteSpeaker: PCITfor...

38 photos, 32 videos | Edit

Supporting PCIT Fidelity...

41 photos, 6 videos | Edit

Round tableworkshop...

37 photos, 13 videos | Edit

Be Direct!

23 photos, 4 videos | Edit

PCIT in theLummiNation:...

15 photos, 1 video | Edit

Block ByBlock:...

5 videos | Edit

2nd Day Photos - PCIT...

219 photos | Edit

GreatExpectations:.. .

20 photos, 48 videos | Edit

From Lab toLiving Room:...

46 photos, 28 videos | Edit

"I Like How You Are...

12 photos, 12 videos | Edit

CoachingTechniques: How to...

13 photos, 4 videos | Edit

Lunch & break

9 photos | Edit

Coding andCoaching

24 photos, 12 videos | Edit

PCIT andAutism:Lessons...

58 photos, 29 videos | Edit

DPICS IVExtravaganza

19 photos, 19 videos | Edit

Ask the Experts

10 photos, 26 videos | Edit

On the State of Illinois' Approach to Home Visiting: Addressing unmet mental health needs of young children

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:20:00 +0000

http://icmhp.org/icmhpproducts/files/ICMHP-HFI%20model%203.2.13.pdf

Those of us here in Washington State can learn from the approaches taken to addressing early childhood mental health needs in the other 49 states. Here is Illinois' approach. -gw

On the 2020 Mom Project: For screening and treatment of maternal mental health disorders

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:09:00 +0000

It is National Women's Health Week, an appropriate time for the launch of this initiative. -gw

LOS ANGELES, May 15, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative (http://www.camaternalmentalhealth.org/), a non-profit organization committed to increasing and improving maternal mental health awareness, diagnosis and treatment, is launching its national campaign, the 2020 Mom Project (www.2020MomProject.com), to bring screening and treatment for maternal mental health disorders by the year 2020. The 2020 Mom Project is a national call to action that sets forth an aggressive new path for solving what some have called one of the biggest public health concerns of our time: the silent maternal mental health crisis which impacts up to 20 percent of expecting and new moms. It is being launched in recognition of National Women's Health Week, May 12 through 18, 2013

http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/15/5422175/national-2020-mom-project-campaign.html

On Finding Felicity Through Fidelity: It's the "commitment" to effective therapy

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:31:00 +0000

Supporting treatment fidelity in the use of Parent Child Interaction Therapy within Child Welfare was the subject of a presentation by Georganna Sedlar, Ph.D., and Andrea Negrete, M.Ed. at the recent 3rd Regional Washington State Parent-Child Interaction Conference. What is fidelity anyway?

Fidelity is the "commitment" in relationship. It is also what makes evidence-based therapies work. If you, the therapist, follow what on-going research says should work, you'll get good results. If you deviate, you won't. Striving for fidelity in day-to-day practice is not always easy.

Therapies to improve outcomes in child welfare should veritably work. Evidence-based practices have come to Washington State "big time." The use of these practices for publicly funded services is now actually called for by law. -gw

On Highlights From the Keynoter: Lucy Berliner on PCIT

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:28:00 +0000

Lucy Berliner's keynote talk at the 3rd Regional Washington State Parent Child Interaction Therapy Conference covered the future of PCIT with an eye to research that points the way, not surprising given the evidence-based nature of PCIT. -gw

On the Use of Time-out and Other Subjects: The PCIT International website as a resource

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:52:00 +0000

Use of a time-out chair is a part of the protocol for Parent Child Interaction Therapy. A time-out room is used for backup. The PCIT International website offers some helpful clinical Q & A on this and other subjects. -gw

The child was in the timeout room and was yelling, whining, crying, etc. His mother was doing a great job of ignoring and you could tell the child was frustrated. He said (out loud, and yes, this is a direct quote): “Well, that didn’t work, so I guess I’ll have to try something else!” Both his mother and the therapist had to stifle a laugh, because in that moment, it was so clear what was going on for this little guy. It was a great “aha” moment for mom, as she realized that he usually had been able to get out of different tasks with his crying and yelling.

http://www.pcit.org/2012/02/03/tough-time-out-situations/

The timeout procedure in PCIT is effective because it serves as a removal from the parent’s attention. So the back up just needs to be a further removal from that attention. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. It only has to be a safe space that serves as a further removal from parental attention. It can be another therapy room, cleared out before your PDI session. Timeout rooms can be built by adding two walls to a corner of the playroom (and they don’t have to go all the way up to the ceiling). They’re doing amazing things in Germany with sturdy, removable timeout rooms that can be wheeled in for the session, hooked into the wall, and removed once the session is over.

http://www.pcit.org/2012/02/06/time-out-revisited/

On Resources for Helping Young Children to Heal: Responding to the Boston bombings

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:07:00 +0000

Photo: Vjeran Pavic

The University of Washington's Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress continues to be a site for valuable guidance for both professionals and parents. Here are current listings on the site of links that may be helpful in view of the recent bombings in Boston. -gw

Resources in Response to the Bombings

* Tips for Parents on Media Coverage

* After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal

* Talking to Children about the Bombings

* Parents Tips for Helping Preschool-Aged Children after Disasters

http://depts.washington.edu/hcsats/

On Zooming Down the Freeway: TV Tacoma's Cityscape look at early intervention

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:39:00 +0000

Here is TV Tacoma's Cityscape segment on A Step Ahead, an early intervention agency serving Pierce County, to the south of Washington States' Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas where members of our consultation group work professionally. -gw

On Not a Waste of Time: PCIT, a therapy that works

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:16:00 +0000

At a conference that drew together providers of Parent Child Interaction Therapy in Washington State marvelous stories were shared by enthusiastic presenters. Here a story about a therapeutic intervention that prevented an adoption of a three year-old child from failing. -gw

Doctor, you're wasting your time

A 99.99% promise that this is going to work

On a Local Agency Takes a Step Ahead: Early Intervention in the city in which I live

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:46:00 +0000

In the city in which I live, Tacoma, I'm not really familiar with the services for young children that are available as I am in the city in which I work, Bremerton. But thanks to a call last Friday from on old friend who is in the kid business in Tacoma, I was able to be privy to a party on Sunday in honor of a local early intervention agency, one that she started to fill an unmet need. I could certainly identify with the purpose of the work, as outlined by the director in her opening remarks. I felt immediately at home in my own city. gw

VISION AND VALUES STATEMENT

Vision: Our vision is a community that embraces and integrates children of all abilities and treasures the unique gifts each child possesses.

Mission: Supporting families of infants and toddlers with special needs by enhancing their development and relationships both at home and in their community.

Principles and Values:

• We will do our work in a way that treats the well-being of children as our highest priority.

• We will provide family-centered services in a manner that promotes trust, respect, and confidence with the families we serve.

• Our behaviors will be of the highest ethical standards. We will always conduct ourselves with compassion, sensitivity and honesty.

• We will demonstrate integrity through the operation of a transparent organization in the form of board oversight and fiscal responsibility.

• We will be both creative and collaborative in our approach to building a vital community.

ASAPC.org: A Step Ahead in Pierce County
http://www.asapc.org/index.htm

On a Washington State Resource for Therapists: The HCSATS website

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:32:00 +0000

http://depts.washington.edu/hcsats/index.html

One go-to site to guide the work I do at Kitsap Mental health is provided by the University of Washington-affiliated Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress. There are some resources included that relate especially to working with young children.

The CBT+ Learning Collaborative powerpoint is the latest addition to the HCSATS website. -gw

http://depts.washington.edu/hcsats/PDF/CBT+%202013.2.12handoutversion.pdf

On Establishing a Level Foundation for Mental Health: Preventing small wobbles from becoming bigger

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:50:00 +0000

Chris finds this working paper from the Center on the Developing Child especially valuable. -gw

Sound mental health provides an essential foundation of stability that supports all other aspects of human development—from the formation of friendships and the ability to cope with adversity to the achievement of success in school, work, and community life. Similar to the way a wobbly table may not function well if the floor is uneven, the legs are not aligned, or the tabletop is not level, the destabilizing consequences of problems in mental health can be caused by many interdependent factors. Just as small “wobbles” in a table can become bigger and more difficult to fix over time, the effective management of mental health concerns in young children requires early identification of the causes and appropriate attention to their source, whether they reside in the environment, the child, or (most frequently) in both.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/resources/reports_and_working_papers/working_papers/wp6/

On New Child Mental Health Resources: The Center on the Developing Child

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:54:00 +0000

[A] new two-page summary—part of the InBrief series—explains how experiences interact with genetic predispositions to shape an enduring foundation for mental health in early childhood and how interventions can treat or prevent disruptions.

http://developingchild.harvard.edu

The website for the Center on the Developing Child is another marvelous onlilne resource. You can subscribe to their enewsletter. Thanks to Bill Marsh for the reminder. This Harvard-based center provided the keynote speaker for last year's early childhood conference in Tacoma. -gw

On the Most Amazing Research Finding: According to Daniel Siegel

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:09:00 +0000

According to Daniel Siegel, the most amazing research finding that informs psychotherapy is this... -gw

On Promoting Focus and Self-Control in Children: Mind in the Making

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 07:13:00 +0000

Suggestion 1: Help infants and toddlers learn to bring themselves under control. A. Observe in order to understand what helps your child maintain self control and focus.B. Use the technique that you know works best for your child. C. Acknowledge your baby’s successes.

Suggestion 2: Weave these skills into everyday activities in fun and playful ways – no drills, “teaching” or expensive games or toys needed.
Suggestion 3: Promote focus - encourage your children to have “lemonade stands” (something they care a lot about).

Suggestion 4: Promote focus – play games that require children to pay attention.

Suggestion 5. Promote focus – read stories to children in ways that encourage them to listen. A. Listening requirse focus and powerful inhibitory control. B. Ask your child to singsong the words of favorite refrains in books with you, or stop and ask them to finish the sentences. These everyday games involve children focusing and remembering.

Notes on the book Mind in the Making sent on by Ellen, from a synopsis compiled by Darlene. Ellen writes: "Prevention Works! Academic Success group just had a community discussion on the book." -gw

On a Website for Clallam County Residents To Find Prevention Resources: Prevention Works!

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:52:00 +0000

For Clallam County, the go-to site is Prevention Works! -gw

A healthy community is built one child, one family, and one individual at a time. Children are the most precious assets any community possesses. When a young infant is neglected, when a first grade child is so out of control that he or she cannot learn, when a middle school child gives up on academic work, when a high school student loses hope after being targeted by cyberbullying every one of us is affected. Children, who are neglected, abused, emotionally troubled, involved in violence, or drop out of school hurt deeply. The community hurts also. Prevention Works! A Community Coalition of Clallam County presents to the community a Five Year Prevention Plan designed to increase healthy behaviors in our families and decrease child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, and violence by and among youth and increase academic success in our young citizens.

http://preventionworks.ning.com/

5-YEAR PREVENTION PLAN - 2011-2016 - CLALLAM COUNTY WASHINGTON

On a Musical Break in the Action: Bill sings "Scrimshaw Johnny"

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:13:00 +0000

It was good seeing Bill Marsh at the Fort Worden Early Childhood Conference in the port city (hence the Pacific Swift tall ship image) of Port Townsend. Bill and his wife Ellen are great promoters of Block Fest, which was a subject of one of the conference presentations. Participants in the Peninsulas Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Group know Bill not just as a math man, but as a spontaneous songster,too. Below is brief excerpt from his rendition of the song "Scrimshaw Johnny," for which he wrote the lyrics, although he will humbly tell you that Hank Cramer singing it, also below, is better. It's amazing some of the subjects we get on at group.-gw

Scrimshaw, Johnny, Scrimshaw.mp3 Listen on Posterous

On Recent PCIT Research: For Children with Asperger's & Callous-Unemotional Traits

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:38:00 +0000

A presentation on PCIT at the Peninsulas Early Childhood Mental Health group in Bremerton a few years back...
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Here are three research studies on Parent Child Interaction Therapy extended to some special populations of probable interest to readers here. -gw

This case study presents the treatment of a 5-year-old boy with ASP and severe behavior problems using Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, an empirically supported behavioral parenting intervention developed for young children with disruptive behavior disorders. Findings from this case report documented (a) an improvement in behavioral functioning that was maintained at follow-up and (b) provided support for utilizing this evidenced-based treatment to improve functioning of young children with ASP and comorbid disruptive behavior disorders.

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Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for the Treatment of Asperger's Disorder in Early Childhood: A Case Study
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Children with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits (i.e., lack of empathy, guilt, and lack of caring behaviors)(CP + CU) show poor response to empirically supported interventions for treating disruptive behaviors. Children with CP + CU are specifically less responsive to discipline com...
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Adapting Parent-Child Interaction Therapy to Treat Severe Conduct Problems With Callous-Unemotional Traits: A Case Study

Persistent high levels of aggressive, oppositional and impulsive behaviours, in the early lives of children, are significant risk factors for adolescent and adult antisocial behaviour and criminal activity. If the disruptive behavioural problems of young children could be prevented or significant...
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Parent-Child interaction therapy for preschool children with disruptive behaviour problems in the Netherlands

On Moving From Reactive-only Interventions to a Proactive System of Care: Redesigning our behavioral health system

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 18:18:00 +0000

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These are challenging times. Kitsap Mental Health Services is at the forefront of a movement away from a "sick care" system to a "health care" system. A while back, Dale Jarvis came to present to KMH staff on heath care reform, as has been covered in a previous post here. Here is an op-ed that just appeared by the exec at KMHS Joe Roszak for the Kitsap Sun newspaper on the subject. -gw
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Letters to the Editor

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MY TURN | Strengthening our mental health care system

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Joe Roszak is executive director of Kitsap Mental Health Services.

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Published Wednesday, December 26, 2012

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With yet another horrific tragedy resulting in the loss of many innocent, young lives, desperate discussions are focusing on how to prevent such events from ever occurring again. Out of the fevered discussions which encompass gun limits, bulletproof backpacks, improved building security measures, better threat assessments, arming professionals with lethal responses, slowly coming to the fore is the issue of mental health services.

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The question is: "How can our community increase the capacity of our behavioral health care system?" The reasons to do so are clear. Mental Health and addictions are a public health priority. We know behavioral health prevention works. Mental illness and substance addiction is treatable. Very importantly, recovery is possible. Years of research and work in the field even tells us there are known effective individual, family, and community based strategies that can make our little corner of the world a safer and more compassionate place for all who live here. The constant challenge is being able to fiscally sustain the programs and services. The harsh economics of the past few years has taken a severe toll, not only on mental health services, but many other significant community safety net services. However, the success of behavioral health treatment and the value of prevention and early intervention have not been diminished over the years. We have the capability to provide effective treatment, what we lack is the capacity to do so.

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Perhaps of most value is the ability to provide behavioral health screening and assessments for individuals. Much like preventive cancer screening, many mental illnesses can be effectively identified through a basic mental health exam. Screening and early intervention for children, teens, adults, and older adults at schools, primary care offices, emergency rooms, and other health providers for mental health and for alcohol and other substance use concerns can identify early on, depression, anxiety, other mental illnesses and substance use before they become more deeply rooted. Such screening can and should become routine, and followed by discussions regarding possible interventions and treatment, just like any other illness.

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Many primary care physicians conduct a significant amount of the treatment for individuals with mild to moderate mental illnesses. Additional resources exist for individuals who meet the established 'access to care' criteria. However, beyond that, our community is woefully limited on the availability of behavioral treatment services.+

We as a community, as well as a nation, must decide to move forward with real action to support and sustain effective and efficient treatment services for individuals with mental illness. Moving forward requires something more important than money; it requires leadership, vision and community. Together we must focus our energy and resources to bring about the necessary changes. We need to educate ourselves about mental illnesses and substance use disorders. There are nationally recognized training courses that help reduce stigma and thereby increase the chances that an individual or family will seek help. Mental Health First Aid is one, and over 450 adults in Kitsap County are already trained in recognizing symptoms and how to respond. For Law enforcement and first responders, there is a highly regarded crisis intervention training, which can enhance the skill set of those who place their lives on the line every day.

Through education and awareness, we can better assist and refer our neighbors, friends and family members to behavioral health services when needed.

We need to work from a base of understanding and compassion rather than fear and stigma. Once we establish a shared vision, we will find a way to support the needed capacity for additional behavioral support services and in turn support each other. Ideally we will move forward to redesign our current behavioral health system from reactive-only interventions to a proactive system of care. We need not wait for yet another tragedy. We can choose to plan and create a stronger behavioral health care system for the people of our community now.

On Don't Take the Bait: Children's behavior that doesn't 'work' will stop

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:41:00 +0000

This is science -- behavioral science, based on decades of research. Source of this excerpt: a 2011 handout for parents for distribution by therapists trained here in Washington State in Cognitive Behavior Therapy Plus (CBT Plus). -gw
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Almost all behavior is caused by an interaction between children and their environment. Humans learn by testing out different behaviors and finding out what happens—what do people do, or not do, in response? It is normal for children to want to get what they want immediately and normal for children to want to avoid unwanted situations or consequences. However, part of growing up is learning to be patient, ask nicely, share, and handle frustration or disappointment without making a huge fuss or being destructive. Children must also learn to separate from caregivers, take on age appropriate responsibilities, and consider other people’s feelings and wishes. These are the normal tasks of child development. The key teachers are caregivers and teachers, and it is NOT always easy!

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Children sometimes learn lessons that we don’t want them to. For example, almost all caregivers have had the experience of young children whining or throwing temper tantrums to get attention or something they want at home or at a store. And almost all caregivers have the experience of children dawdling, delaying or not doing what they are told because they don’t want to stop an activity such as watching TV or talking on the phone. If children’s behavior (e.g., tantrum, yelling) “works,” meaning they get what they want (or get out of doing what they do not want to do) children will keep using the behavior, hoping it will “work” again.

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There is an explanation for this pattern of behavior. The basic rule is that all behavior has a function or purpose. Behavior is intended to get something children want or get out of something children do not want. Children might want attention, power over their situation, or specific rewards (e.g., allowance, privileges). They might want to get out of chores, doing homework, or trouble. This rule is not just true for children, it is true for everyone. People go to work to get something such as a pay check and self esteem; people don’t answer the phone or sometimes tell small lies to avoid being hassled or hurting someone’s feelings.

Sometimes it is hard to understand what the function of a behavior really is. For example, negative behaviors such as whining, pleading, temper tantrums, picking a fight, slamming doors, and even yelling or throwing objects are ways of getting attention. Even though the attention is negative, it is still attention, which is something children crave especially if they are not good at getting positive attention. When there are a lot of negative behaviors, often negative behavior is the only way children can get attention because caregivers and others are so frustrated.

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Some behaviors are really upsetting even though it is fairly easy to see what the function is. For example, aggression is a way to get others to give in or go along through intimidation. Sometimes children see adults doing this and they copy what they see “working”. Another really difficult behavior is lying. Lying either gets children something wanted (“I already did my homework”) or gets children out of something unwanted, like consequences for misbehavior (“Ididn’t take the money”). Caregivers are often especially upset about or bothered by lying. Most caregivers teach children that even if they make a mistake it is better to take responsibility than lie, but children may operate in the moment and just want what they want, or want to get out of punishment.

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The reason that behavior problems persist is because they are “working.” The key to changing behavior problems is changing reactions to the behavior so it doesn’t “work” anymore. This can be really hard once a negative behavior has become a habit in children. But behavior that doesn't "work" will eventually stop.

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Example:
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Ignore annoying but not dangerous behavior (e.g., whining, begging, tantrums, eye rolling, attitude, etc): A lot of irritating, obnoxious behavior is to get attention. Don’t take the bait. Ignore even if it is hard. It might increase in the beginning because it has worked before. The behavior will eventually stop once it doesn’t “work.”

On Loving Early Childhood Links: Washington DEL's list

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:24:00 +0000

How do I find out about...

http://www.del.wa.gov/

If you love links that relate to early childhood, the Washington Department of Early Learning website is a go-to site. A page on the site of "Useful Websites" is particularly comprehensive. Some examples:

Love. Talk. Play.

National Institute on Media and the Family

School's Out Washington

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction - Special Education

Foundation for Early Learning

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center

Thrive by Five Washington

Child Care Aware Washington

National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health

Talaris Research Institute

Zero to Three

On 'God Don't Make No Junk': Most 'junk' DNA consists of regulatory proteins

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Far From 'Junk,' DNA Dark Matter Proves Crucial to Health ...
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Breakthrough study overturns theory of 'junk DNA' in genome ...
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Junk DNA — Not So Useless After All | TIME.com
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Hidden Treasures in Junk DNA: Scientific American
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A repudiation of the idea of "junk DNA" has been all over the science news recently. (Music lovers may remember the a certain music album linked below that incorporates the idea in a well-known colloquial expression.) Speaking on maternal mental health, here is Shawn Elmore, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology and Community Health, University of Washington, speaking on "junk DNA" at the Symposium on Infant Mental Health in Mukilteo WA last month. -gw
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God Don't Make No Junk (1994) is the name of the first album recorded by the American group The Halo Benders.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_Don't_Make_No_Junk

On Glen Cooper Presenting for the WA-AIMH Meeting: An originator of Circle of Security

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 23:15:00 +0000

The Washington Association for Infant Mental Health (WA – AIMH) has four general meetings a year, free to members. Membership is $40. The next meeting is Nov. 14 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wellspring Family Services; 1900 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98144 (map). -gw+

Glen Cooper, MA is one of the originators and trainers of Circle of Security International, an early intervention program for parents and children. He will present a Circle of Security case with video footage. Glen and his colleagues received the Governor’s Child Abuse Prevention Award in Washington State for their work in the Circle of Security® Project. He has presented workshops throughout the U.S., and in Canada, England, Uganda, New Zealand, Germany, and Australia. National and international audiences rate Glen highly for his warmth, kindness, humor, and ability to present complex material in a manner that is engaging and accessible.

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http://wa-aimh.org/general-meetings/
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On the Peninsulas Consultation Group Takes a Field Trip: Building camaraderie

noreply@blogger.com (GWD) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:22:00 +0000

The ride to the Mukilteo conference and back was noteworthy for the sight-seeing and the relaxation it afforded. There is something about a ferry ride that makes any journey special. Before embarking we stopped at at creperie, and on our way back we were treated to a beautiful sunset, great for mental health. -gw