The Power of Positive Words: Intentionally Communicating Self-Worth
Format
Workshop
First Presenter's Institution
Five Stones Counseling
First Presenter’s Email Address
Jo@FiveStones.org
First Presenter's Brief Biography
Jo Crosby, M.Ed., LPC, combines over twenty-five years of clinical counseling experience with a love for teaching and writing. She leads workshops and retreats on various topics, helping people build strong, healthy relationships. As a clinician, 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. A published author, and enjoys helping others tell their story in effective, creative ways.
Location
Session Seven Breakouts ( Scarbrough 3)
Strand #1
Heart: Social & Emotional Skills
Strand #2
Health: Mental & Physical Health
Relevance
The understanding and usage of positivity including positive words is an effective means used to foster the social and emotional skills and the social climate of all children and youth. Further, I believe it is also used to promote the mental health of all children and youth. The power of positive words is utilized, supported, and validated by multiple counseling approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and Emotionally Focused Therapy. Having used the approach of positive words for the entirety of my practice with children, youth, and adults, I am confident in the applicability and relevance.
Brief Program Description
Most people, including the youth in our care, can recall the most positive words spoken of them and the most damaging. Like glitter on a toddler’s fingers, words stick to our sense of self. This workshop is designed to inspire, encourage, and build anew on the valuable basics of positive communication. Join me to discuss and increase understanding of both the influence and reach of positive words and to increase awareness of the opportunities to utilize them. Interactive, insightful, and applicable this workshop is designed for both professionals and parents.
Summary
“Words have a magical power. They can either bring the greatest happiness or the deepest despair.” Sigmund Freud
As professionals working with youth, we often look for the latest approach to effect change or study the newest theory on making an impact. These searches and study are valuable, necessary, and lead to growth; however, we can also build upon and use the most basic and valuable of our resources – our words. Words are weighty. They shape. They stick. They heal. They wound. They influence. They build-up. They tear down. As the building blocks of communication, words are used to both describe and influence our perceptions of self and others. Words are powerful. The Power of Positive Words; Intentionally Communicating Self-Worth is a workshop designed to discuss and increase understanding of both the influence and reach of positive words and to increase awareness of the opportunities to utilize them to effect healthy growth and development of people including ourselves. Rooted in the fields of Positive Psychology and Mindfulness, the usage and impact of positive words is essential to the process of self-worth. When we increase our understanding of the impact of mere words, we gain inspiration and insight into effective ways to increase our positive impact. Many of the youth we encounter have too few positive words spoken into them, and/or they have a profusion of negative words spoken into and over them. Either way, their sense of self-worth is shaped by words. As professionals, leaders, teachers, and parents, we can invest in the lives of others, particularly those entrusted into our care, with carefully chosen words. Positive words nourish lives, and they are at the core of our view of self. This workshop is designed to be reflective, informative, and encouraging. Applicable to both professionals and parents, it is a fresh look at the intentional use of positive words. Participants will be able to (1) identify and discuss the impact and influence of positive words; (2) engage in constructive activities that foster insight and promote greater understanding; and (3) explore various ways words have shaped and influenced their core perceptions of self and others.
Evidence
Positivity, Self Talk, and the Impact of Words is utilized, supported, and validated by multiple counseling approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, The Field of Mindfulness, and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Learning Objective 1
Participants will be able to identify and discuss both the impact and influence of positive words.
Learning Objective 2
Participants will be able to participate in activities that foster insight and promote greater understanding of the effect of positive words; thereby, increasing their skill set.
Learning Objective 3
Participants will be able to explore various ways words have shaped and influenced their core perceptions of self and others through hands-on activities and discussion.
Keyword Descriptors
Positive Words, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Self-Worth, Power of Words, Communication, Youth, Mental Health, Counseling
Presentation Year
2023
Start Date
3-7-2023 2:45 PM
End Date
3-7-2023 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Crosby, Jo Y., "The Power of Positive Words: Intentionally Communicating Self-Worth" (2023). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 14.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2023/2023/14
The Power of Positive Words: Intentionally Communicating Self-Worth
Session Seven Breakouts ( Scarbrough 3)
Most people, including the youth in our care, can recall the most positive words spoken of them and the most damaging. Like glitter on a toddler’s fingers, words stick to our sense of self. This workshop is designed to inspire, encourage, and build anew on the valuable basics of positive communication. Join me to discuss and increase understanding of both the influence and reach of positive words and to increase awareness of the opportunities to utilize them. Interactive, insightful, and applicable this workshop is designed for both professionals and parents.