Communication Skills for System-Involved Youth and Their Families

Brooke Hailey, PhD

Training Description

This training will help participants understand the basics of healthy communication. They will learn about skills needed to communicate assertively and set healthy boundaries. They will also learn how the brain responds to anger and how to identify signs that anger is escalating. Participants will learn communication strategies as well as long term communication skills which can be taught to system-involved youth to help prevent anger outbursts and promote health communication and relationship outcomes for system involved youth. Finally, participants will learn what behaviors and dynamics hinder healthy communication so that these can be addressed within affected system-involved youth and their families.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

· Identify and teach system-involved youth the 3 types of communication;

· Identify and teach system-involved youth the 3 basic tenets of healthy communication; and

· Identify 3 key issues that can hinder healthy communication for system-involved youth & families.

Agenda

9:00 – 9:30am:  Introduction

· My experience with healthy communications skills

· My experience using and teaching anger management and healthy communication skills

· Check in: Participants introduce themselves and share what they hope to achieve from training

9:30 – 10:30am:  Healthy communication forms the cornerstone of successful relationships. Here are some basics which can be taught to system-involved youth:

· Active Listening: Pay close attention to what the other person is saying without interrupting. Show that you're engaged through verbal cues like nodding and paraphrasing what they've said to ensure understanding. Vignette and practice skills

· Respect and Empathy: Treat others with respect, acknowledging their perspectives even if you don't agree. Empathy helps you understand their feelings and viewpoints, fostering a more supportive environment.

· Clarity and Directness: Be clear and concise in your communication, expressing your thoughts, needs, and feelings openly. Avoid ambiguity or passive-aggressive language, as it can lead to misunderstandings.

· Nonverbal Communication: Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, as they convey as much, if not more, than your words. Make sure your nonverbal cues align with your verbal message.

· Openness and Honesty: Be honest in your communication, sharing your thoughts and feelings authentically. Avoiding deception or withholding important information builds trust and strengthens relationships.

· Constructive Feedback: When providing feedback, focus on specific behaviors rather than attacking the person's character. Offer solutions or suggestions for improvement, maintaining a supportive tone.

· Conflict Resolution Skills: Address conflicts calmly and respectfully, focusing on finding mutually beneficial solutions rather than assigning blame. Active listening, empathy, and compromise are essential in resolving disagreements.

· Boundaries: Clearly communicate your boundaries and respect others' boundaries. This ensures that everyone feels comfortable and safe in the interaction.

· Adaptability: Be flexible in your communication style, adjusting it according to the situation and the needs of the people involved. Different situations may require different approaches to communication.

· Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and appreciate others' contributions and efforts. Positive reinforcement fosters a supportive and encouraging atmosphere, encouraging continued healthy communication.

10:30 – 11:30am:  Understanding How Anger Affects Communication

· Anger: Understanding the brain’s response to anger

· Anger Triggers: Identifying triggers or situations that lead to anger. Understanding the difference between anger and other emotions.

· The 3 Rs of anger management – Recognize, Reflect, and Respond

· The aggressive cycle and anger meter

· Anger Management Video

· Discussion of Video

11:30am – 12:00pm:  Strategies for Healthy Communication

· Thought distortions, evidence log, replacing distorted thoughts with rational responses

· Practice Assertive Statement

12:00 – 12:30pm:  Lunch Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

12:30 – 1:00pm:  Interactive exercise

· Vignette of a scenario where anger escalates because of distorted thoughts.

· Identify thought distortions and replace with rational responses.

1:00 – 1:30pm:  Poor Communication and Substance Abuse:

· Understanding the connection between anger and substance abuse issues.

· Strategies for managing anger without relying on substances including Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

1:30 – 1:45pm:  Break (CE hours will not be offered for this time)

1:45 – 2:30pm:  Communication Skills: Effective communication techniques for expressing anger and frustration without aggression or hostility.

· Assertiveness, passiveness and aggressiveness. Understanding the cycle of passive to aggressive

· Interactive exercise: Vignettes to practice assertiveness

· Methods for resolving conflicts in a constructive and non-violent manner.

· The Impact of Anger on Relationships:

o Recognizing how uncontrolled anger can damage personal and professional relationships.

o Learning to rebuild trust and repair relationships after anger-related conflicts.

2:30 – 3:00pm:  Questions & Answers, Wrap-up

Meet Our Trainer

Brooke Hailey, PhD is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She completed her undergraduate work at New York University and then received her masters from Antioch University and her PhD from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She has been in private practice in Los Angeles for more than twenty years. She is also the owner and clinical director of New Directions, an intensive outpatient program for eating disorders. Brooke works with adults, adolescents, couples and families. Though she specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, Brooke works with clients who have a variety of issues from depression, anxiety and addiction to relationship issues.

This course meets the qualifications for (5.25) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.