Managing Difficult Children and Adolescents with School Refusal, Examination Phobia and Anger Issues

Course Overview
Children and adolescents face a wide ranges of pressure within and outside the school context. These can vary from family, social & relationships, and academic stresses. When a young person does not cope with these challenges well, they are likely to become frustrated and this can then manifest as school refusal, examination phobia and anger problems.
This workshop aims to (a) teach participants useful intervention strategies and skills and (b) equip them to develop effective behavioural management programs that can help difficult young people. Permeating the entire session will be the emphasis that the people-helper help from a spirit of compassion and patience.
This workshop starts by exploring the truth behind its premise: ‘People respond better to a compassionate heart.’ Although simple, it is so important a reminder. Participants will then be taught how to examine and identify possible factors causing such negative behaviours displayed by the young person. Through role-plays and case studies, they will learn the appropriate use of different intervention strategies. They will also be guided how to develop effective behavioural management programs suitable for different cases. Finally, they will be instructed how to conduct group therapy sessions.
Experiential learning is enhanced through watching video clips, role-playing, and small group discussions. To further apply the learning, participants will be asked to bring to class cases of school refusal, exam phobia, and anger that they have encountered, and they will plan on how to address these cases in small groups.
About the Workshop Facilitator
Dr Lohsnah Jeevanandam is a Clinical Psychologist. She received her Bachelors from the University of Sydney, Australia and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The University of Queensland, Australia. Dr Jeevanandam is also a Registered Psychologist with the Singapore Psychological Society.
Dr Jeevanandam is a Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore where she teachers, as well as is the placement co-ordinator for the masters in Clinical Psychology programme. She is also Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist with the Cognitive Health Consultancy International clinic, working largely with children and adolescents. She is also adjunct lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. Dr Jeevanandam also conducts numerous trainings and workshops.
Dr Jeevanandam previously worked at The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore. She also conducted interviews for candidates for the Public Service Commission scholarship for the Civil Service College. Other previous appointments included adjunct lecturer and research supervisor at James Cook University Singapore.
Target Audience
- HOD Student Management, HOD Discipline
- School Counsellors, AEDs & Teachers
- Social Workers & Counsellors working in VWOs
Duration
1 day (9 am - 5 pm).
Workshop Topics:
Part A : Setting the Spirit Right
- Research findings
- Why Compassion is a better managerial tactic than toughness
- What does it work in real practice?
Part B : Understand Vulnerability in Children and Adolescents
- Risk factors
- Protective factors
Activity: Using case studies, identify risk and protective factors
Part C : School Refusal
- What School Refusal is, and criteria for determining school refusal
- Assessment of students with school refusal
- Functional analytic model of school refusal
- Evidence-based treatment for school refusal
Activity: Role-play on delivery of intervention treatment
Part D : Examination Phobia
- What Examination Phobia is, and its underlying reasons
- Behavourial management of examination phobia
- Functional analytic model of school refusal
- Evidence-based treatment for school refusal
Part E : Anger Problems
- Difference between adaptive and maladaptive anger
- Anger-coping techniques: eg, deep breathing, visualisation, etc
- Perspective-taking skills
- Effective problem-solving
Part F: Conducting Group Therapy
- Rules for conducting group therapy
- Consider the topics to be addressed in group therapy
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