Youth Home Inc TRICARE East & West Residential Program for Children Ages 12-17 with Mental Illness
The Flourishing Child

We know that social risk factors and traumatic experiences like abuse, neglect, and witnessing violent take a serious toll on the developing mind of a child - promoting poor health outcomes that can last a lifetime. Traumatic stress in childhood is correlated with  drastic increase in the likelihood of unplanned pregnancy, incarceration, dropping out of school, attempted suicide, mental illness, and chronic disease.


Researchers have performed ample studies in the hopes of finding a solution - both to prevent the heartache of trauma to begin with, and provide a clear process of healing for those affected. Successful treatments have been developed to aid in alleviating the symptoms related to trauma in the lives of many families. See Residential Treatment, Trauma Informed Care, or Trauma Focused CBT Therapy for examples.


But there is also a solution that is readily available to all families, regardless of social or economic status, culture, or religion:

Connection and Belonging is the Best Medicine

Over 70 years of research supports that promoting Positive Childhood Experiences offers a child a drastically higher chance at a quality life - regardless of the negative experiences they've endured in their life:

At each increasing level struggle with adverse childhood experiences, household income, and special health care needs, the prevalence of flourishing increased in a graded fashion as the levels of family resilience and connection increased.


In simple terms: This study supports that the more connected a child is with a few people around them, the more capable they will be of experiencing a flourishing, healthy childhood and adulthood.

Flourishing

Let's back up a minute. What do we mean by flourishing?


By definition, flourishing means healthy growth, thriving, and feeling positive about life. In youth, psychiatrists recognize three indicators that a child is flourishing, that also indicate that a child is school-ready:

  1. They are showing interest and curiosity about learning new things.
  2. They are persistent and able to complete tasks.
  3. They have the capacity to regulation their emotions.


Think about these factors in the workforce. Do you know anyone who is not flourishing by these standards? Are they disinterested in their job? Unable to complete tasks or regulate their emotions?


These skills are developed in our youth and follow us throughout our entire careers. They're fundamentally essential to enjoying a high quality of life - so how do we develop and protect them?

Connection & Belonging

When performing the previously mentioned study, they measured a child's ability to flourish when faced with varying levels of both adverse and positive childhood experiences. The positive experiences they decided on boiled down to a few "actionable takeaways" that every family can incorporate into their day-to-day life now.


Key Experiences in a Child's Life:

  • Feeling able to talk to their family about feelings
  • Feeling their family stood by them during difficult times
  • Talking about important things with their family
  • Praise your child when they does something well
  • Enjoyed participating in community traditions
  • Christmas, Fairs, 5ks, etc.
  • Feeling a sense of belonging in high school (not equate to popularity)
  • Being greeted by a friend or teacher 
  • Having a teacher or staff member who talks to them regularly
  • Feeling supported by friends
  • Had at least two non-parent adults who took genuine interest in them
  • This could be coaches, teachers, family members, or friends
  • Feeling safe and protected by an adult in their home


The beauty of these takeaways is that they don't require a parent to be perfect, have a lot of money or resources, or be highly educated to provide a quality life to their child. These things don't have to happen 7/7 every day for a child to have a chance - they just need to happen consistently throughout their years of development.

The Flourishing Adult

Let's shift from children to you: Do you feel like you aren't flourishing in your adult years? Are you struggling with a mental illness like depression or anxiety? Do you feel lonely or withdrawn? What about stressed, finding it hard to sleep, lack of appetite, etc.?


If you experience feelings like these consistently, we would encourage you first and foremost to request an appointment with a clinical therapist - either with us or somewhere you already feel comfortable. Prolonged negative experiences like these can be indicators towards a deeper mental health concern that a therapist will be able to help you with.


There is always hope: The same metrics and experiences that are shown to improve a child's ability to flourish can also improve yours. Do you have one or two non-parental adults who care about you? Meet with them. Do you not have someone? Look for people who are ahead of you in your work force or family that you could ask to coffee!


Mentors are a great asset to have. A speaker once quoted that mentors are the next step to get through the next step - find one, but if there's no one around - find a good book. Many of our current and past generation's best minds have recorded their thoughts in writing for people like you.


There are ample opportunities to foster a sense of connection in and out of the home and workplace. Spend quality time with your non-offending family members, have important conversations, enjoy community traditions or create your own!


Be the person who cares for and creates these positive experiences for someone else. For more ideas, visit:

The Power of Play | PCIT

12 Jan, 2024
There's a simple yet powerful tool that can transform your parent-child relationship—play. In this article, we explore the profound impact of dedicating just 5 minutes a day to play with your child and how this small investment can lead to significant changes in your connection and understanding. Quality over Quantity: In our busy lives, finding extended periods for play can be challenging. The beauty of dedicating 5 minutes a day is that it's manageable and achievable. The key is to make those 5 minutes count by being fully present and engaged. Quality interactions build trust and connection more effectively than the duration of time spent. A Window into Their World: Play provides a unique window into your child's world. Those 5 minutes allow you to step into their imagination, interests, and emotions. Whether it's playing with toys, drawing, or engaging in imaginative play, you gain insights into their thoughts and feelings, strengthening your understanding of who they are. Trust and Security: Consistent, short bursts of playtime create a sense of routine and predictability for your child. This routine fosters a feeling of security and trust, as your child knows they can count on this dedicated time with you. Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and these 5 minutes contribute significantly to building that trust. Communication: Play is a universal language for children. By engaging in play, you open up channels of communication that might be challenging to access through conversation alone. Those 5 minutes become a space for your child to express themselves, share their joys and concerns, and feel heard. Improving Behavior: Play is not just about having fun; it's a powerful tool for behavior management. By dedicating focused playtime, you reinforce positive behaviors, teach social skills, and provide an opportunity for your child to learn and practice self-regulation. Emotional Intelligence: Play is a natural arena for emotional expression. Whether it's acting out scenarios, creating stories, or playing games, your child learns to navigate and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. These brief play sessions contribute to the development of your child's emotional intelligence. Lasting Memories: The simplicity of 5 minutes a day can lead to the creation of lasting memories. These shared moments become part of your child's childhood narrative, reinforcing the idea that they are loved, valued, and cherished. Such positive memories contribute to a strong sense of self-worth. In the grand scheme of things, 5 minutes may seem insignificant, but the consistency and intentionality of this small investment in play can lead to transformative changes in your parent-child relationship. It's not about the quantity of time spent but the quality of the connection forged during those precious minutes. Embrace the power of play, and watch as 5 minutes a day becomes the foundation for a lifetime of love, understanding, and shared joy between you and your child. Find a PCIT Therapist Near You

What is PCIT? What is the Goal of PCIT?

12 Jan, 2024
How PCIT Works Our primary goal with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is to improve your relationship with your child and address behavioral issues that stem from emotional dysregulation and limited communication skills. PCIT with families is designed to achieve specific and individualized goals that will benefit you through a lifetime. We work to help you create a more positive and nurturing family environment to enjoy for years to come. Specifically, PCIT works to: Enhance the Parent-Child Relationship: PCIT aims to strengthen the bond between parents and their children. By providing parents with the skills to engage in positive interactions and communication, the therapy fosters a secure attachment and emotional connection. Improve Communication Skills: PCIT focuses on enhancing communication between parents and children. Through guided play and interactions, parents learn effective communication techniques, such as using descriptive language, active listening, and expressing emotions in a constructive manner. Address Behavioral Issues: PCIT targets specific behavioral challenges exhibited by children. This may include issues such as defiance, aggression, tantrums, or other disruptive behaviors. The therapy equips parents with evidence-based strategies to manage and reduce these challenging behaviors. Teach Positive Parenting Techniques: The goal is to teach parents positive and effective parenting techniques. This includes using praise, reinforcement, and appropriate consequences to encourage desired behaviors while discouraging unwanted behaviors. PCIT emphasizes the importance of consistent and positive parenting practices. Promote Emotional Regulation: PCIT helps children develop emotional regulation skills by providing a supportive environment where they can express and manage their emotions appropriately. This is achieved through play therapy and coaching parents on how to respond to their child's emotional cues. Build Confidence in Parents: By providing live coaching and feedback during therapy sessions, PCIT aims to build parents' confidence in their parenting abilities. As parents become more proficient in applying the skills learned in therapy, they gain a sense of competence and empowerment. Facilitate Generalization of Skills: PCIT seeks to ensure that the skills learned in therapy are generalized to various settings, including home, school, and community. The goal is for parents to apply the techniques consistently in everyday life, promoting sustained positive interactions with their children. Create a Positive Family Environment: Ultimately, PCIT aims to create a positive and supportive family environment where both parents and children feel understood, valued, and connected. This contributes to the overall well-being of the family unit. Prevent Future Behavioral Issues: By addressing behavioral issues early on and equipping parents with effective parenting strategies, PCIT has the additional goal of preventing the escalation of behavioral problems in the future. This proactive approach can contribute to long-term positive outcomes for the child and the family. In summary, our goal is to empower you with the tools and skills necessary to build a strong, positive, and mutually satisfying relationship with your children, in an environment conducive to the child's emotional and behavioral well-being. Find a PCIT Therapist Near You
Share by: