Self-Doubt

At the end of the school year, we often reflect on how we did. Sometimes there is a little seed of doubt planted in our minds as to how we measured up as an educator. You may doubt yourself and think, “I must not know how to teach very well because so-and-so isn’t learning. […]
Manage Parent Concerns

Parents are often upset or come to us with concerns. It is important to remain calm and non-defensive when this happens. It’s often best to return the parent’s call instead of emailing them. Occasionally it will be appropriate to email the parent, but first have someone else read through the email, and do not send […]
Is Attention a Need or a Want?

We all love getting attention or being noticed in some way. At Healing Children, we recognize that receiving attention is a human need. We all need to be loved, feel as though we belong, and that we are cared about. So how do we fulfill this need in kids who have significant behavioral problems? Often […]
Healthy Compliance

One thing that interferes with setting boundaries is our views and history with authority. Think about your personal feelings with authority and how those feelings may or may not impact your relationship with your students or the children you support. For example, suppose you had negative experiences with an overbearing or abusive parent as a […]
Waiting it Out Versus Power Struggle

What is the difference between waiting out a student’s misbehavior versus getting into a power struggle? Power Struggle The mindset of a power struggle is, “I have to control the child to make them behave.” This mindset can result in the following behavior on the part of the adult: Use of anger to evoke […]
Is Healing Children Trauma-Informed?

People often ask if Healing Children, LLC is trauma-informed. The simple answer is yes. We have been studying the impact of trauma, attachment, and development since the 1990s, long before “trauma-informed” became a buzzword of today. We are mental health professionals who have been working in schools for more than 20 years. We recommend healthy, […]