Working with Challenging Children Seminar Series

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Marie

From August 3 to 5, we have an exciting opportunity for anyone who wishes to learn more about working with challenging children, including parents, teachers, youth workers, and anyone else who interacts with youth. Below are some details about what you can learn from this important series.

Seminar #1:

IMPLEMENTING A TRAUMA BASED APPROACH TO WORKING WITH CHALLENGING CHILDREN WITH MARIE SHERWOOD, MS

3 August 2012

Marie Sherwood will discuss how the traumatized brain needs to be examined through four basic areas: Sensory Integration, Self Regulation, Relational (Attachment and Bonding), and Cognitive in light of the Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics. This seminar will cover:

the traumatized brain
state dependent functioning
understanding sequential healing
why excellent programs are not working
the intimacy barrier
how to change your approach
how to design a program for your child(ren)
primary modes of regulation
using empathy as a means of communication
using the PLACE model

Seminar #2:

REBUILDING THE BROKEN BONDS WITH NANCY THOMAS

4 & 5 August 2012

Nancy Thomas will share with professionals and parents her know how in this laughter filled seminar! You will leave understanding Attachment Disorder and what you can do about it.

Day One will include:

spotlight on the problem
building brilliant brains
overview of effective interventions
conscience development
questions and answers.

Day Two will include:

rebuilding the foundation
understanding defiance
solutions to behavior problems
specific interventions to help challenging children
the future outlook
questions and answers.

Location: Arlington Beach Camp
Cost: Seminar #1: $150 Seminar #2: $200
Special Discounted Price for both: $325
Dates: August 3 to 5, 2012, 9am to 4pm
Accommodations and Meals: $75 per day in dorm setting (shared accommodations)

Contact: Marie Sherwood at 306-620-6373 or Marie@SoulHarmonyInc.com for more information. For brochure click here.

Basic Overview of the Camp Program for the Whole Family

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Marie

Many programs are set up for only the child, but Radical Attachment Camp understands that the family unit is affected by the difficult child. The attachment techniques taught at the camp help the whole family come together as a unit, in addition to providing the parents with the unique tools needed to help these children down their healing journey.

The camp has the privilege of having Nancy Thomas at its helm. Ms. Thomas has over thirty years of working with some of America’s most violent children. She boasts over 85% success rate with this population, numbers unheard of in the industry. This is the only camp in Canada that is privileged to have Ms. Thomas’ savvy techniques in how to deal with difficult behavior on a daily basis, in addition to helping these precious children fully heal.

Radical Attachment Camp also has a separate program for the siblings of the difficult child. This program addresses the struggles and frustrations of living with a difficult child. The siblings work through experiential exercises with the horses of Long Faces and Happy Hearts Equestrian Centre. This week long program is set up as a fun cowboy/cowgirl camp, but has a therapeutic purpose. The work follows the empirically proven program and is the only empirically (quantitative research) proven program running in all of Canada and one of a handful in the United States. The quantitative research that has proven the usefulness of horses (Russell-Martin, 2006; Schultz, Remick-Barlow, & Robbins, 2007; Trotter, Chandler, Goodwin-Bond, & Casey, 2008) is so limited and recent that many programs have not had a chance to update their curriculum. At Radical Attachment Camp, we have closely monitored the research and bring you the latest and best proven methods.

The difficult children also benefit from the presence of the horses by taking part in the Equine Facilitated/Experiential Bonding program with their parents. This program is unique to the difficulties that are particular to displaced children and their families. EF/EB uses the theories of Dr. Bruce Perry (among others) by targeting different parts of the brain in order to help the brain heal itself. Ms. Sherwood is also a PhD candidate that continues to do research into the best practices to heal families with difficult children.

We are located north of Regina, Saskatchewan at Alrington Beach Camp. If you flew you would want to come into Regina.

RADical Attachment Camp Brochure

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Marie

Here’s the Radical Attachment Camp Brochure and Radical Attachment Camp Registration Form 2012.

Do not hesitate to call for additional information!

Arlington Beach Camp

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Marie

RADical Attachment Camp ’12 will be held at Arlington Beach Camp. It boasts a wonderful central building, big dining hall, water front (bring your life jackets for younger kids), a corral for the horses, larger cabins for big families and a tranquil setting. Cabins are rustic with electricity, but with no internet.

For a map of the facilities, click here.

Activities

There are many activities available for families. Some will have extra costs. There are no end of activities for you to enjoy. From challenging yourself on the climbing wall to taking a relaxing walk on the beach.

Basketball: Builds endurance, develops concentration. It teaches about being a good team player, a lesson that will be useful in many areas of life. A team player understands what it means to strive for common goals, share power, take risks and support others efforts.

Beach Volleyball

Canoeing: Canoe on the Marina or head out onto the lake. Canoeing is an excellent avenue to help individuals learn to work together. Canoeing can be a physical challenge too.

Miniature Golf: Enjoy a game on the nine hole miniature golf course. It helps build focus, concentration, and accuracy skills.

Mud Bog

Nature Hikes: The area around Arlington Beach is used by a large variety of wildlife. Large animals include white tale and mule deer, coyote, or fox. Smaller wildlife include squirrels, beavers, muskrats, rabbits, gophers, ducks, geese, pelicans, swans, eagles, hawks and approximately 180 different species of small birds and the occasional snake.

At the waters edge explore an active beaver lodge, and many marsh plants. In the water you can often see cat fish, minnows and different marsh plants. There are endless discoveries for those with a discerning eye.

Sports Field: A large sports field is available for field games.

Swimming: Can be fun at any time of the spring, summer or fall and for the occasional brave one – even winter.

Trail Rides: Experience the adventure of horseback riding. Basic riding and safety instruction are given before the ride begins. Riding activities include arena rides and trail rides.

Trampoline: The trampoline is always a hit. It can help individuals improve their balance, agility, rhythm and endurance.

Wall Climbing: Offers an excellent opportunity for participants to challenge themselves physically and emotionally, while receiving support from members of their group.

Zip Line: Builds self-esteem and pride. Riding down the zip line over a body of water is both challenging and exciting.

Adding the Neuro-Sequential Model of Therapeutics Model to Camp Activities

Posted on February 5, 2010 by Marie

We are excited to introduce NMT activitivites to our regular camp events. We will have stations whereupon families can discover how to help their children’s brains heal from a neuro-biological perspective. Each family will be provided with an opportunity to have an NMT Assessment done prior to camp. Assessments will be offered at a quarter of the price for families that are fully registered. For more information please contact Marie Sherwood at Marie@SoulHarmonyInc.com or 306-620-6373.

Therapeutic Parenting Support

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Marie

Do you need help now? Are you frustrated with how your difficult child is running your home?

If you answered yes to both these questions, then you need support.

Marie Sherwood (Master of Science in Psychology) is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Advanced Parenting Trainer through Families by Design and has studied extensively under Nancy Thomas. She also has her Beginner Level Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Course with Dr. Dainel Hughes who is a world leader in providing attachment therapy to children. Marie has been director of the Saskatchwen family camp since 2007. She has working with difficult children since 1992 and is the mother of a healed RAD child. In short, she understands your situation. She is also a PhD candidate in Psychology working toward becoming an Attachment and Trauma Psychologist.

Therapeutic Parenting Support allows you to have Marie Sherwood on-call. She will provide you with a toll free number and a cell phone number. Most importantly, she will call you back asap.

How much does all this cost? Marie Sherwood only takes on 10 families at a time. In this way, she can provide the needed services and attention that families need. You can reserve Marie Sherwood for a three month period for $160 up front. The charge for the first hour is $100, with subsequent hours costing $75, with billing being done on a monthly basis. Calls may be via telephone or Skype.

Please email Marie for more information: Marie@SoulHarmonyInc.com.

Camp Shalom Results for 2009

Posted on August 22, 2009 by Marie

We saw little miracles all week. We laughed and cried with our families as we witnessed the bonding that so many parents had longed for. All but one child made the decision to bond to their parents. We are still praying that this child makes that decision.

Our equine staff worked hard mirroring the family dynamics, giving healed children rides and equine facilitated bonding. We salute our horses: Mac, Jolie, Gretchen, Pawnee, and Tulsa. Everyone loved their gentle nurturing spirits. We salute those moms that overcame their fear of horses to ride, bond and learn from these great creatures. A big kudo to awesome mom Linda

I want to thank the hard working staff who bonded as a team in order to help the parents and children turn their hearts toward each other. Sis and Brad, thank you so much for the great meals. I want to thank the following people:

Miss Nancy
Mr. James
Miss Anna
Miss Raychel
Miss Melissa
Miss Robbin
Miss Judy
Miss Dana
Miss Kelli
Mr. Scott
Miss Chantelle
Miss Debra Lee
Miss Jordan
Part-time staff: Miss Adriana

You all contributed to the success of the camp.

Miss Marie, Camp Director

Funding for Camp

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Marie

For those of you still looking for funding to come to camp, I have found representatives for post adoptive services. Please go to http://www.nacac.org/about/volunteers.html in order to look up the representative in your area. Please let me know if the person was any help. I would like to create my own list of those that actually help families out.

American families can find funding through the information in this handout: Funding the Services you Need for your Challenging Child

Canadians, please call me for specific foundations and methods to find funding.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any additional questions or concerns.