Loving the Younger You…as a Student
#lovetheyoungeryou

Cathy Schweitzer, MS, LIMHP

The new shoes are purchased, pencils are sharpened, the smell of new crayons fills the air and boxes of Kleenex are loaded into backpacks. As we enter the new academic year, it is time for clinicians and the families we serve to get back into some sort of school grove.

Before going into private practice, I was a school counselor. I find myself thinking back to all the kids in the building with the sounds, smells, personalities, peers, and academics. School can be a place with such positive energy and kindness or it can be a frightening battle ground. The theme I continue to focus on is “loving the younger you,” so this time of the year, remembering what it felt like for me as a school counselor and as a student myself, enables me to find compassion, empathy and solutions for the children, adolescents and their parents.

As a school counselor I was always running in 50 directions to help whoever needed it; dealing with school anxiety, difficulties at home, academic and learning issues and of course friendship issues. The longer I was in the building and the more I grew to know the stories of my students, the more I realized how school can be an overwhelming and intimidating place for students and parents. Through this job, I was able to see the daily effects of trauma, poverty, loss, domestic violence, and all sorts of other situations. I learned about the school system and how to navigate through all the meetings and codes: MDTs, IEPS, SATS, 504 plans etc. It was good experience and helps me every day.

As I reflect on my younger self, I’m reminded that I was a pretty good student. My parents would make sure I was doing my homework and attended parent/teacher conferences. As a child, I did not experience the degree of trauma my clients have experienced, and my parents were healthy and stable; however, it was still rough. My sister experienced school difficulties. As I reflect on her experience, I often wonder today if she may have struggled with ADD or some sort of learning issue. I can remember being in my room while my parents and my sister would argue and cry about not turning in homework or not telling mom and dad about grades. This went on through high school… it was rough at times. The impact of my sister’s difficult schooling experience is still with her today. My sister was held back one year, and today, she says this did not help.

As this school year unfolds and we help families, spend some time reflecting on your younger self as a student and your own experiences. Help the parents you work with reflect on their younger selves as students.  Keep in mind that as a country we are a long way from Trauma Informed Schools. Teachers, administration, and parents need support in navigating trauma and the effects in the classroom. School is an integral part of the childhood experience and it is up to us, the adults, to be compassionate, empathetic and solution finding. It takes a village!

Where in the World is ATCI?
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ATCI presents:
Module 4: “My Child Scares Me!”

Educating and Supporting Parents who are Raising Traumatized Children or Teens

Saturday December 1, 2018
12 pm to 2 pm AZ time
Annual Conference 2018

Thu, September 13, 2018
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM CDT

Keynote: Debra Wesselmann

"The Attachment Trauma Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together to Help Hurt Children and Families"
BEYOND DESENSITIZATION: EXPANDING CHILDREN'S WINDOW OF TOLERANCE

NOW ON-DEMAND!!


We are now offering the Beyond Desensitization Course as an
On-Demand Course for CE credits or EMDRIA credits only!
Take this course self-paced, for a 90 day registration period and receive 6 continuing education credits or register for EMDRIA credits only!
(Please check with your state licensing board to verify eligibility)
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Need help for parents with traumatized kids?
Don't forget to check out our
Parent Class Slides!

Robyn Gobbel, LCSW, RPT-S
presents:

"How to talk About the Hard Truths in Adoption"
September 28, 2018
1-3 pm CST

$65 REGISTRATION FEE
$55 NON-PROFIT FEE
(must submit copy of letterhead when registering)

Can't watch live?
Register in advance to receive a copy of the recording!
Omaha Training for EMDR and Non-EMDR Clinicians
EMDR & Family Therapy Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP-C) for Children
Training for Non-EMDR and EMDR Mental Health Practitioners

19 Licensure CEs
19 EMDRIA Credits

September 20-22, 2018
Omaha, Nebraska

*Sponsored by the EMDR Institute*

LIVE: Virtual Workshop from the comfort of anywhere!

EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol
for Children (IATP-C)

Training for EMDR Clinicians that have completed
EMDR Basic Training I and II

12 Licensure CEs
12 EMDRIA Credits

* Sponsored by the EMDR Institute*

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Learn to implement EMDR to strengthen attachments, develop self-regulation, and heal attachment wounds rooted in a history of abuse, neglect, early medical trauma, or changes in caregivers through slides, case presentations, and over 30 videos of our work with severely traumatized, complex children. 


October 5-6, 2018 12-3 pm CST
October 12-13, 2018 12-3 pm CST
EMDR & Family Therapy Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP-C) for Children

Training for EMDR and Non-EMDR Mental Health Practitioners

October 25-27, 2018
Hamilton, New Jersey

*Sponsored by the EMDR Institute*

During this 3-day in-person workshop, you will learn both the EMDR and Family Therapy components of this integrative model for treating children with a history of attachment trauma. You will leave with the skills and resources you need to implement the full protocol with the traumatized children and families in your practice.

EMDR Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol (IATP-C) for Children
Training for EMDR Mental Health Practitioners

November 8-9, 2018
St. Louis, Missouri

*Sponsored by the EMDR Institute*
The Attachment Trauma Center Institute, LLC
638 North 109th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68154
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