Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Five Stones Counseling

Second Presenter's Institution

NA

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Session 6 (Vernon)

Strand #1

Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Mental & Physical Health

Relevance

Inviting others to tell their story is foundational to the helping relationship. This workshop is designed to both refresh and expand the counseling skills necessary for helping children and youth tell their story. Creative, therapeutic techniques that invite and teach not only assist the helping process, but also promote self awareness and foster a client's sense of being seen, heard, and understood. Further, fresh approaches work to impede counselor burnout by reducing staleness in session through identifying ruts and routines. The hearing and telling of someone's story should never be old hat. Stories matter, because they belong to a person. This interactive workshop is designed for professionals working in the field of children and youth.

Brief Program Description

Tell Me More. This interactive workshop is designed to both refresh and expand the counseling skills necessary for helping children and youth tell their story. Participants will discuss, explore, and engage in creative, therapeutic techniques that promote the following elements: implementing engaging storytelling, increasing client self-awareness; and fostering a client's sense of being seen, heard, and understood. Stories matter, because they belong to a person.

Summary

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Maya Angelou

Every person has a unique story to tell. As helpers, we lean into the story and give invitation to the details. Metaphorically, we look under the rocks, search for keys to hidden doorways, and name the elephants in the room. Beyond the basics of rapport, helping begins with the client’s story. However, the story is often complex and difficult to describe. Details blur or misalign, perceptions skew, and words can fail. Further, up and down, fun and fights, and growth and rot can each abide in the same story. Children and youth experiencing multiple risks have greater story complexity; they also have a genuine need to share their story. In the helping process, it is the helper’s role to invite sharing and to teach safe, healthy ways to tell the story. Helping with authentic story formation is foundational. The Tell Me More interactive workshop is designed to both refresh and expand the counseling skills necessary for helping children and youth tell their story. Participants will discuss, explore, and engage in creative, therapeutic techniques that promote the following elements: implementing engaging storytelling, increasing client self-awareness; and fostering an individual’s sense of being seen, heard, and understood. The hearing and telling of someone’s story should never be old hat. Stories matter, because they belong to a person. Every helper, whether new to the field or seasoned, can sharpen, renew, and share skills.

Learning Objectives:

(1) Participants will engage in storytelling.

(2) Participants will be able to explain the importance of teaching children and youth to share their story as it relates to establishing rapport, identifying problems, and formulating goals.

(3) Participants will recognize and explore techniques for inviting children and youth to tell their story in healthy, comprehensive ways that increases self-awareness.

(4) Participants will discuss and demonstrate creative methods for helping children and youth tell their story to foster a sense of being seen, heard, and understood.

(5) Participants will engage in hands-on activities that can be replicated and/or adapted.

(6) Participants will be given the opportunity to have fun and refresh skills.

Evidence

This workshop is based on the evidence and practices of Positive Psychology, Play Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy.

Biographical Sketch

Jo Crosby is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Five Stones Counseling Center in Savannah, Georgia and a member of The American Association of Christian Counselors. Jo combines over twenty years of clinical counseling experience with a love for helping others. She leads workshops and retreats on various topics, helping people build strong, healthy relationships with God and each other. As a counselor, she has experience in individual, family, marriage, and group counseling. She has extensive training in play therapy, child abuse and neglect, and sexual assault; she has a passion for grief work, relationship issues, and marital therapy. Having worked with children, adolescents, and adults, she brings a unique blend of creativity, insight, and seriousness to her office. This blend is reflected in her teaching. She is a published author, a poet, and the founder of Wherein the Lilies Grow (WTLG) Greeting Cards. Additionally, she is a photographer and uses pictures to tell stories. It is her passion to help others find a way to tell their story.

Keyword Descriptors

Stories, Storytelling, Counseling, Positive Psychology, Client-Centered Counseling, Teaching, Children and Youth, Self-Awareness, Creative Learning, Play

Presentation Year

March 2020

Start Date

3-10-2020 1:00 PM

End Date

3-10-2020 2:15 PM

Download

Share

COinS
 
Mar 10th, 1:00 PM Mar 10th, 2:15 PM

Tell Me More: A Creative, Fresh Look at Helping Children and Youth Tell Their Story

Session 6 (Vernon)

Tell Me More. This interactive workshop is designed to both refresh and expand the counseling skills necessary for helping children and youth tell their story. Participants will discuss, explore, and engage in creative, therapeutic techniques that promote the following elements: implementing engaging storytelling, increasing client self-awareness; and fostering a client's sense of being seen, heard, and understood. Stories matter, because they belong to a person.