Nurtured Heart Approach
The one key concept that the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) focuses on is the idea that we, as adults, need to reset our energy from negative to positive approaches to situations. While it is hard to break old traditions of discipline and generational and cultural differences, the purpose of this shift is to understand that we cannot take trauma away, but we can reframe and reset for our youth and ourselves. This reset allows us to look at behaviors from a different perspective to make our positive energy and reinforcement the reality. When we make this shift, it proves that negative patterns do not get our energy and attention anymore; rather, the energy is shifted to positive behaviors, qualities, and greatness of each other and every youth.
The 3 StandsTM of the Nurtured Heart Approach
- Stand 1: Absolutely No! I refuse to energize the negative
- Stand 2: Absolutely Yes! I will SUPER energize all experiences of success
- Stand 3: Absolutely Clear! I will set clear limits and provide clear, un-energized consequences
What is a Reset?
A Reset is a therapeutic intervention used in the Collier Residential Program environment to address any negative behavior that affects individual and/or group safety, as well as to help shift negative to positive coping skills. As human beings, we all have patterns of behavior, both negative and positive. A Reset is a moment without any judgment to take time out and reflect on a different way of approaching a situation or a negative emotional response.
Reset meetings are held when there is an incident or safety concerns that need to be reviewed and debriefed. Anyone in the community can call these meetings, and they are short and solution-focused. A Reset may be used at a time when a youth leaves the home without permission, engages in physical aggression to others or property, engages in self-harm, uses illegal substances, has inappropriate behavior in the home, community, or school, or has inappropriate use of the internet.
During Reset, the resident will remain on the first floor of the home and work with the team members to address urges and impulses associated with the negative behavior. The youth may be permitted access to the second floor with a team member during this time. In addition, community privileges are suspended. When the negative behaviors include the use of any electronics (chrome books, iPad, computer, or phone), the privileges of electronics may be suspended for the period of the Reset time.
During Reset meetings, there is a debriefing of the incident followed by a comprehensive action plan and commitment to safety. For residents of the Collier Group Home, a Child Family Team Meeting is planned during this Reset time. This includes the youth and updating their individualized plan. A debriefing of the incident results in a comprehensive action plan, updating the youth's crisis and safety plan as needed and the youth's commitment to safety. As always, the Collier Residential Program offers those individuals unable to attend participation over the telephone or debriefing immediately following the outcome.