Alternative Strategies to Promote Self-Regulation Presented by: Paula Freeman, CSC

Self-Regulation Self-regulation makes it possible for us to know and manage our emotions, recognize emotions in others, and make use of these abilities in relationships. With adequate self regulation, we are able to control immediate responses to stimuli in order to make behavioral choices (Tollison, Synatschk, & Logan, 2011). The capacity to self-regulate is the foundation upon which a functional sense of self develops (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006).

Grounding Activity: Calm Creates Calm Grounding is the technique and practice of purposely connecting to the ground beneath us and to our somatic experience in the moment. It is the active practice of creating a physical and emotional inner experience of calm connection to our own body and our surroundings. Grounding facilitates interactive affect regulation (Tollison, Synatschk, & Logan, 2011). Before each therapeutic session, a counselor might ground herself to facilitate interaction with the client. To begin each session, a counselor might use a grounding activity to help a client experience a physical and emotional inner experience. Let’s experience a grounding activity now: Roots of a Tree Other activities are in the handouts and include: Seaweed, Thai Chi, and Still Quite Place Discuss with a partner or group how you felt before and after the grounding activity. Also, how might these skills help you during the day?

Self-Assessment Scale Please take a moment to complete the self-assessment scale. This scale can be used to gain information about a child’s regulated state, how the child might deal with dysregulation, and help establish therapeutic goals.

Skills Topics Self-awareness- identifying one’s own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and how they influence choices and actions Social awareness- understanding the thoughts and feelings of others, developing empathy, and being able to take the perspective of others Self-management- handling emotions, using emotions to facilitate interactions, and dealing with obstacles in a productive way. Responsible decision making- being able to consider the short and long term consequences of actions Relationship skills- the ability to maintain healthy and rewarding connections with individuals and groups

Thank you for being here! Enjoy your lunch.