Sample Interventions from the CARE2

Assess family functioning

Assess for Neurological Disorders – If there is evidence of past head injury, lead paint ingestion, loss of consciousness, seizure activity, refer to primary care physician.

Assess for Psychiatric Disorders – If any symptoms of sadness, anxiety, hypomania, phobias, night terrors, mood swings, impulsivity, inattention, lack of concentration, refer to Mental health Provider.

Assess for trauma history or early problems with pathological caregiving – Ask about past traumatic events, caregiving, and losses.  If present, refer to Mental Health Provider

Attachment informed therapy.  When there has been pathological caregiving resulting in persistent developmental delays in interpersonal functioning, the professional must strengthen the skills in appropriate developmental sequence.  The Behavior Objective Sequence is helpful for this (Sheldon Braaten, http://ResearchPress.com)

Behavioral Health Services or mental health services.  Look for social worker, licensed counselor or psychologist in your area.  Many will be listed in the phone book.  Ask your insurance Company.

Behavior Modification, Positive reinforcement.  Positive reinforcement should outnumber punishments by a ratio of 4 to 1.  Find reinforcers that the youth desires enough to work for them.  Use privileges he may already have, but make him earn them.  Use a chart to count compliance.  Gear the whole process for success.  What you reinforce will increase.

Behavior Objective Sequence (Sheldon Braaten)  Developmental Sequencing of behavioral assessment and training.

Build Anger Management skills.  There are many CBT anger management group and individual workbooks on the market.

Build Drug resistance skills (Life Skills Training – www.lifeskillstraining.com)

Build Problem Solving Skills.  There are many CBT Problem solving group and individual workbooks on the market, such as PSST, Problem Solving Skills Training.

The CARE 2 will be available on September 17, 2007 at Dr. Kathy Seifert