Entries by Sheryl Overby

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What to Say Cards

Hello fellow therapists, Ya know when a person says “I don’t know” to almost every question? Typically, the office rule is that “I don’t know” is not allowed  in therapy so clients have the opportunity to share their feelings and do “the work”.  But what are they supposed to say instead?  Sometimes people, especially kids, […]

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Decision Cards

FOR CONTROLLING URGES AND MAKING WISE CHOICES Here is a resource that therapists can  use to help kids manage their urges so they do not make UNWISE choices.  I have specifically chosen NOT to use the words “unhealthy”, “poor”, “wrong” or “negative” to describe the option of making a choice that is regrettable.   I have […]

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Comfort Thy Self Card

When things are so frustrating, you barely know what to do, this card may help.  Please put something in each square of the card, then you will have pre-planned ways to help yourself; ways to give yourself some comfort when life really gets rough. The six parts of the card are………….  Thing:  This can be […]

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Emotional Needs Pyramid

So, if you survived Psychology 101 in high school or college, you probably know about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  The idea that each person has biological and psychological needs that must be met in order to achieve “actualization”.  The basic rule is that the lower needs have to be met BEFORE it is even possible […]

Reparation/Restitution/Clarification Process

The idea of restorative justice and restitution has long been a part of probation protocols or requirements for youth who have illegal sexual behavior.  Almost all programs ask a youth to write clarification/apology letters to caregivers or the child they abused.  When working with young people who have sexually harmed, this process can be even […]

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Moral Development

Moral development is a tricky thing, sometimes kids seem really empathetic and want to help others, and sometimes they are so selfish you wonder if they are human. Most moral and ethical decisions are based on a person’s conscience, which grows and develops over time. For some people, it doesn’t really develop until adulthood, and […]

Bridge of Reparation

The Bridge of Reparation was a concept I learned from Joann Schladale, MS LMFT to help youth get over their shame.  Some of the youth that I have worked with have almost given themselves PTSD from the shame of their own behavior.  They are not traumatized in the same way as someone who is physically […]

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Caregiver Letter of Praise and Support

All children seek the verbal or non-verbal feedback from the adults in their life to understand themselves.  A caregiver can provide encouragement, hope and a vision of a positive future for youth with Problematic Sexual Behavior.  I believe that putting these thoughts in writing makes it more sincere to the child and enables the youth […]