Next session start date: MAY 2022

Comprehensive Trauma and Behavior Intervention Program

*Taming the Dragons and the Incredible Years Program

are now operated as a combined program and not offered individually

 

We work with preschool and elementary school aged children and their caregivers in our evidence-based program. 

 

The children’s portion called Taming the Dragons is operated onsite and in local elementary schools. These children are the victims of abuse or neglect, have suffered a trauma and/or some have neurological, psychological or behavioral disorders that impair their ability to be successful at home and in school. We offer the program at our facility, as well as in partnerships with local elementary schools weekly. Through Taming the Dragons children learn positive coping skills, how to identify and appropriately express their emotions, strengthen their self-regulation techniques, and develop resilience. We include the latest techniques (supported by scientific studies) including yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices, EFT or “tapping” and more.

 

Children who have been through this program have shown growth in the areas of:

• Relationship Goals

• Decision Making

• Goal Directed Behavior

• Optimistic Thinking

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Personal Responsibility

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These “soft skills” are crucial to a child’s success in school, but also in their relationships at home and in society. These skills will impact a child throughout their lifetime.

 

In addition to our work with the children, we involve parents in the Incredible Years Parenting Program. This evidence-based program was developed more than 25 years ago here in Washington and is utilized worldwide. It has been shown to increase attentive and positive parenting, decrease conflict, helps to support and promote parent’s involvement in their child’s education, and reduce behavior issues both at home and in school. We provide parents information on trauma and its impact on brain development, as well as behaviors, and ways they can help their child utilize the skills they are learning in Taming the Dragons when faced with a challenging emotional situation. The Incredible Years program has been proven to be effective with children who are at risk, children with Autism, ADHD, Oppositional defiant disorder, and more. These families are facing very difficult situations looking for new ways to support their children and help reestablish or strengthen a bond with their child. Additionally parents develop new skills to support their child’s academic, social and emotional growth, as well as learn how to set healthy boundaries and decrease incidences of misbehavior through the systems they put in place. Parent’s also learn the impact trauma has on brain development, behavior and how to utilize the skills their child learns in Taming the Dragons to help cope.