Workshop Description
Difficulties with emotion regulation are more common in children and adolescents than ever before due to the stressors related to COVID. When a student’s brain is activated by emotion, regardless of the reason, they experience diminished cognitive flexibility and capacities for learning. They are also more prone to outbursts in the classroom and/or other emotionally charged situations. School staff dealing with these situations report (understandably) higher levels of stress and burnout.
Informed by emotion and learning theory, Emotion-Focused School Support (EFSS) was developed based on this feedback from educators and school support staff. It is a simple and efficient model for increasing the capacity of school staff to effectively respond to the emotion of students (and their parents) in order to facilitate a “return to learning”. EFSS can be applied to all students from kindergarten through to grade 12, with adjustments made to implementation according to developmental age. It is designed to support students while still respecting the primary mandates of teachers, aides, school counsellors and support staff - and without adding to the already high demands of the school day.
Given that a regulated physiology is critical for learning, the goals of EFSS include:
- Regulating emotion in the classroom to facilitate learning
- Preventing emotional escalations
- De-escalating emotionally charged situations and/or outbursts in progress
EFSS also includes an adaptation of the skills above to respond effectively and with compassion to parents who may also be experiencing emotional dysregulation. This can present as anxiety, shame, resentment, criticism, and/or blaming others for their child or adolescent’s difficulties. This component of EFSS was developed for delivery in parent-teacher meetings, during brief phone calls, through emails or notes, or even when crossing paths in the hallway or main office.
Finally, EFSS involves opportunities for school staff to identify their strengths and challenges when faced with challenging interactions situations with students, their caregivers and even with colleagues.
This two-part interactive workshop will introduce participants to the fundamental principles and techniques of EFSS. Through discussions, case examples, demonstrations, and group exercises, participants will also have an opportunity for hands-on practice and skill-building. Participants will also be provided with a sample facilitator presentation in PowerPoint format, which they can use to teach EFSS to their colleagues if desired.
Who Should Attend?
1) School based staff including teachers, educational assistants, school counsellors, guidance counsellors, child & youth workers, and support staff.
AND/OR
2) Clinicians or Educators interested in teaching EFSS to their school-based colleagues or clients.
You will receive:
- Login details and instructions emailed in advance of the workshop
- Downloadable handouts
- Certificate of attendance upon successful completion of a brief online quiz (if desired)
- Access to a recording of the workshop for a limited period of time after the workshop - so if you can’t join live, or need to miss part of the live workshop and want to view it afterwards, we’ve got you covered!
About the Presenter
Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author and co-developer of emotion-focused treatment modalities, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy and Emotion-Focused School Support. She worked in school settings for over a decade. She has published extensively in the field of emotion and health, including a clinician manual to support families published by the American Psychological Association. She has also written a popular parenting book titled: What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work.
A frequent keynote speaker at professional conferences, Adele is known for her engaging, energetic and authentic presentation style. She provides consultation and training for clinicians, school boards and mental health agencies worldwide.
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