Groups & Workshops

Academic Coaching
Our academic coaching program was developed in direct response to the needs of our school-aged clients experiencing academic difficulties. While traditional tutoring focuses on helping students improve their competency in a specific subject (math, science, etc.), academic coaching focuses on the process of learning including (but not limited to) the skills of self-motivation, organization, note taking, strategic test taking & enhancing memory/recall power. The structure and skills sequence of our academic coaching program has evolved over the past fifteen years of clinical experience and reflects a protocol that is proven to be highly effective in helping students improve their academic success.

The Director of our academic coaching program is Darlene Newberry. Darlene is a Learning Consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. Her responsibilities include the continued development/enhancement of our academic coaching protocol, supervising our academic coaches and providing coaching services to a caseload of clients. What makes Darlene effective as an academic coach is that she is relentless in her efforts to teach, encourage and hold clients accountable to developing the skills necessary for their academic success.

Groups
Groups are available for students, parents, education professionals and the general public in two formats, therapy group and skills training group. The duration and frequency of the group is determined by the group format and/or the needs of the participants.

Therapy Groups
These are for individuals already receiving counseling or coaching services at Strength for Change and focus on the practice and implementation of specified life skills. Clients who are receiving counseling services may be recommended for group when it is determined that they are ready for and would benefit from the group process. Therapy Groups are typically 1-1.5 hours long and meet one time per week for five to twelve weeks, depending on the needs of the client.

Skills Training Groups
These are open to student, parents, educational professionals and the general public and focus on educating and motivating participants about the selected topic of discussion. Skills Training Groups are typically 1-2 hours long and meet one time per week for one to twelve weeks. Skills Training Groups are advertised through the local paper and mailings to schools and other referral sources. We have an "Academic Improvement Group" that runs throughout the school year. Please contact Strength for Change schedule a meeting.

Workshops
Workshops are available for parents, education professionals and the general public. Below is a listing of workshops that are routinely facilitated throughout the year. Educator and parent workshops focus on understanding and working effectively with "today’s young people". Educator workshops are worth continuing education credits for all who participate (NJ Board of Education Provider Number 1295).

Organizations can contract with Strength for Change for private workshops facilitated on site or individuals can attend Strength for Change sponsored workshops facilitated at a designated site. Notices of Strength for Change sponsored workshops are mailed to all New Jersey schools and other referral sources. Anyone interested in participating in a workshop or being added to our mailing list can contact Strength for Change for additional information.

Workshops for Education Professionals
Core, Pupil Assistance Committee (PAC) and Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) Team Training: Intensive training for Core and PAC team members. Topics covered include student assessment, intervention plan development, team to parent communication, program assessment and alternative models of Core/PAC service. The structure of this program will be determined by the needs of your school’s Core/PAC team. The fundamental tenet of the training is a student-centered approach to I&RS team functioning.

The Leadership Enhancement Program: A program for school administrators who desire a professional development experience similar to that of our nations top CEOs and business executives. By participating in a 360-degree interview process and self-understanding/people skills training, participants will learn what colleagues think about their leadership and professional competency, how to understand human nature to the degree that they can anticipate their own, as well as other people’s emotional and behavioral reactions, how to identify, understand and modify the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that interfere with professional and personal effectiveness and how to master the interpersonal skills necessary to manage and motivate others to cooperate, extend perceived limitations and achieve goals.

Transforming The "Difficult" Student: This workshop was specifically designed for classroom teachers and school administrators responsible for directly disciplining students. Participants will learn about childhood disorders that cause academic underachievement, social difficulties, emotional difficulties and defiance in students. Participants will leave this workshop with concrete and practical strategies for cultivating a student’s cooperative attitude and motivation for improved school performance.

In-School Counseling: Basics & Beyond: Intensive training for school counseling professionals of all skill levels. Participants will learn the principles of Motivational Cognitive Behavioral Counseling. This workshop is intended to introduce participants to a fundamental philosophy and set of skills that will empower them to create greater job satisfaction and work more effectively with students, parents, colleagues and administrators.

Workshops for Parents
Raising Resilient, Cooperative And Responsible Children (Can Be Modified To Any Developmental Stage): Parents will learn strategies for disciplining and interacting with their children in a developmentally appropriate way that encourages resiliency, cooperation and responsibility. Special attention will be given to developing a customized parenting approach that reflects the unique personalities of both parent and child.

Transforming The "Difficult" Child: Parents will learn to identify and understand childhood disorders that cause anger, inflexibility and defiance. Parents will leave this workshop better equipped to cope with the stress, high degree of conflict and instability caused by these disorders. Special attention will be given to developing a customized parenting approach that reflects the special needs of a "difficult" child.

Preventing Teenage Substance Abuse: Parents will leave this workshop armed with the facts about teenage alcohol and drug use. Misperceptions about where, what, how much and who uses will be addressed. Parents will recognize the powerful influence they have over this problem and how to implement several simple, yet effective, strategies to curtail current adolescent substance abuse trends.

Workshops for Students
See currently running special programs link on home page.

Community Calendar
Free Mini Workshop: Help Your Child Succeed
Free Mini Workshop: Help Your Child Succeed: Understand & Help Your Child Overcome School & Other Life Difficulties - A Two Hour Mini Workshop (Free Of Charge).

For Parents With Children Experiencing Any Of The Following: Behavioral Difficulties -- Your Child Is Uncooperative; Anger And/Or Other Emotional Difficulties -- Your Child Has "Melt-Downs"; School Difficulties -- Your Child Works Below Potential; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Depression, Bi-Polar And/Or Anxiety Disorder; Other Psychiatric Disorder

More information...

 

The Science of Wellbeing: A Guide to Creating Health, Success & Happiness
A Free Workshop -- Facilitated By Bernard Ivin

 

For education or counseling professionals who want to learn about motivational cognitive behavioral therapy and/or individuals who want to learn strategies for overcoming any of the following life difficulties:

 

• Inconsistency In Following Through With Stated Goals
• A Pessimistic And/Or Self-Defeating Attitude
• Insecurity & Lack Of Confidence
• Mild To Moderate Depression
• Mild To Moderate Anxiety
• Relationship Difficulties
• Body Image Issues

More information...