Addressing Trauma and Loss With Children and Parents

Cost- FREE

This training includes practical information and handouts for parents and their children, who have experienced Loss and Trauma. Dr. Johnson explains how Center for Counseling and Family Relationships is including parents and families in their work with children outside of child counseling sessions.

 Included in the Training:

• How to Identify symptoms of loss and trauma in your child

• Common symptoms children experience after trauma

• The difference between a character trait chart and a behavior chart

• Handouts to know how your responses may impact your child’s trauma

• Selecting a goal for parenting from the areas of Communication, Connection, and Boundaries
• 5 healthy communication patterns with your child

• Questions to consider your child’s behavior and needs in and outside of sessions
• Handout to identify the amount of time spent in Connection with each other

• Handout to consider Values and Rituals to use with your child
• Media Questions for parents to use when watching media with their children

About the Speaker

Dr. Rhonda Johnson, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S, NCC, CEAP

Dr. Rhonda Johnson is the owner of Center for Counseling and Family Relationships, a large group private practice established in 2007. She is an LPC-S, LMFT-S, and RPT-S. Dr. Johnson has been leading trainings for local associations and hospitals in Texas for the last 6 years and supervising outside and inside supervisees for LPC, LMFT, and RPT for 11 years. Dr. Johnson is an EMDR-Trained counselor and trained in Trust Based Relational Intervention therapy for working with children who have been internationally adopted, adopted domestically, children in foster care, and children from hard places.

SECRETS OF THE SCREEN – FOR PARENTS:  WHY ARE THEY SO ADDICTING AND WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL COSTS?

Cost- Free

Why are They So Addicting and What are the Psychological Costs?

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the history of electronic devices and screens
• Estimate the amount of time spent on devices and screens
• Describe the impact of devices and screen on relationships
• Explain how video games are designed to trigger reward centers in the brain
• Describe the psychological, behavioral, and physical impact of devices and screens
• Describe screen management solutions, ground rules for technology, and steps to break technology habits.

Secrets of the Screen is an intriguing, informational training that gives the history of development of electronic devices and screens, the average use of these devices, and the impact on individuals and relationships. The training explains how video games, social media, and other forms of technology are intentionally designed to trigger the reward centers in our brains making it very challenging to break away from them, even when we know we need to.  The extensive psychological and behavioral symptoms from the use of devices and screens will be presented, as well as physical effects of using screens on our central nervous system, brain, and body. The influence of screens on our body manifests itself in our behaviors and our thoughts.  Screen management solutions, ground rules for technology, and steps to break technology habits will be given for implementing at home and in the classroom.

About the speaker

Jaime Colatriano is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist at the Center for Counseling and Family Relationships.  In her many positions working with children, she has noticed the differences in children, who spend excessive amounts of time on screens (tv, video games, tablets, phones), and those who receive minimum amounts of time. Jaime decided to make this an area of study to grow professionally. She was so surprised by the research she is passionate about making others aware of the effects of screen time. Jaime has always been interested in computers and technology and began teaching herself how to type in elementary school. By high school, she began competing in a variety of computer competitions throughout her sophomore, junior, and senior years at state and national levels.  As much as she loved technology, Jaime always preferred jobs where she could connect with the people around her. She decided to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Counseling in 2004.  After graduation, Jaime worked for an Early Childhood Intervention Program for 5 years working with infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.  During her time with ECI, she utilized her computer skills serving as the point person between her department and the IT department. Jaime helped develop the applications ECI would need in order to move to a more electronic based system as she began working towards her Master’s degree in counseling.

Family Connections: Bonding A Family In An Adoption Journey

This workbook was created to be a resource for families who have children (ages 8-18) in their home who are in foster care, are waiting on adoption finalization, or who have been adopted. It can be completed at home as a family or used by a facilitator for small group trainings for families. We recommend completing one lesson a week for families who are completing the workbook on their own.

 The workbook is designed to help a family explore key topics that have been a part of their adoption and foster care journey in a way that engages all family members. Each session starts with an Icebreaker Activity, Activities and Questions to consider, and ends with a Wrap Up Activity.

 The 7 Lessons included in the workbook are:

• Our Family’s World: View of Foster Care/Adoption
• A New Perspective: Getting a Grasp on Control
• Our View of Foster Care/Adoption: Myths About Foster Care/Adoption
• Recognizing Emotions: Dealing with Disappointment
• Foster Care/Adoption Surprises: What to Plan For
• Safe Connections: Forming Healthy Relationships
• Foster Care/Adoption Responses: When Others Ask Questions

Dr. Rhonda Johnson, Alison Fescenmeyer, and Kareecia Thompson have published two workbooks for families. They are available on Amazon or through our practice.

Family Connections: Bonding a Family in a Foster Care/Adoption Journey

Family Connections: Preparing A Family For A Foster Care/Adoption Journey

Other Adoption Support Resources