Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to guiding kids, and in particular, those with emotional & behavioral challenges that is exceptionally positive and inspiring. Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing. It begins with the belief that every individual has or can develop strengths and utilize past successes to mitigate problem behavior and enhance functioning. This presentation will highlight many of the key principles and techniques of this transforming modality.

Areas covered include: What is strength-based practice & the power of a positive attitude & culture; the effects of trauma and positive emotions on the brain; how and why to create trauma-informed treatment environments; changing negative mindsets and the deleterious effects of pejorative labeling; strength-based communication principles and techniques – including reframing, using solution-focused questions, positive-predicting, the millimeter acknowledgement, and inspirational metaphors; encouraging growth vs. fixed mindsets; self-esteem building & activities for at-risk children and youth; how to help cognitively inflexible young people; the importance of being family-friendly; why, how, and when to use incentives; the importance of controlling personal emotions (i.e. managing number one first); core strength-based verbal interventions including de-escalation techniques; respectful, relationship-based limit setting; and a host of creative cognitive behavioral strategies.

Endorsements:

“Charlie is the best youth care trainer in America.”
Robert Lieberman, M.A., LPC 
Former President of the American Assoc. of Children’s Residential Centers

 “Charlie Appelstein spoke at the Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Course on School Mental Health. He trained/entertained/WOWED the over 450 participants. I don’t see a standing ovation too often…but he received one! We have already invited him back to participate in one of our other conferences.”
Judy Reiner Platt, Ed.D.
Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry - Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance
Cambridge, MA

“Charlie Appelstein should be cloned. America’s schools need him!”
Kate Schluter Former Executive Director
Project Alliance Partnerships for Youth, Inc.
Somerville, MA

Bio:
Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. is an internationally prominent youth care specialist and author whose primary focus is on teaching positive, strength-based theories and techniques to professionals who guide at-risk children and youth. President of Appelstein Training Resources, LLC, Charlie trains and consults with treatment facilities, foster care associations, parent groups, schools, and juvenile justice programs. He has authored three youth care books that are widely used within the field, including No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: Understanding and Responding to Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Challenges Using a Positive Strength-Based Approach. Charlie lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and teenage daughter.
Charlie’s strength-based approach sends a message of hope and possibly to our most vulnerable children and those who guide them