Description:
Neuroscience is demonstrating that some of the most challenging behaviors , like defiance, are biologically based fear responses more related to fear-based dysregulation than intractable behavior. Further research is showing that those labeled Oppositional or Defiant often are individuals with slow process speeds, and we can slow ourselves down and take some time to regulate, it often gives the person enough time to calmly process and comply. For others trauma has taught them that compliance can be unsafe and we will need to help them experience felt safety and may even need to allow them to experience saying not without unsafe consequences before they feel safe enough to say, “Yes.” Those attempting to assist people struggling with defiance can often fall into a cycle of frustration and power struggle, resulting in lose/lose outcomes. Setting power struggles aside, we will place defiant behavior into the context that drives it and engage brain-based interventions to help improve processing, cooperation, and participation.
Upon completion of each session participants will be able to:
Engage ways to regulate to help ourselves and those struggling with oppositional or defiant behaviors have the time, space, and calm they need to process requests.
Compare and contrast traditional and emerging neuroscience-based understanding of chronic, challenging behaviors like defiance
Identify the context and drivers of the defiance and assist with helping trauma survivors feel safe enough to comply.
Practice a collaborative, non-adversarial approaches to addressing defiance
Presenters:
Mary Vicario LPCC-S, CTS
Mary Vicario is a licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor (LPCC –S) and a certified trauma specialist with over 35 years of experience working as an educator, counselor, clinical director, and consultant with individuals, families, organizations, and systems. She trains nationally and internationally translating the latest research on the neuroscience of trauma and resilience into interventions for all ages and ability levels. Mary is a proud participant in multiple grants to further develop and link trauma informed and resilience-based care across systems and communities. She is honored to provide Trauma Responsive Care Certification through the Tristate Trauma Network for anyone working with trauma survivors. Mary can be reached at www.findinghopeconsulting.com
Dr. Veronica R. Barrios, Ph.D.
Dr. Veronica R. Barrios is a Queer, Latinx, interpersonal violence scholar. She is an Assistant Professor at Miami University where she instructs courses on Culturally Informed Practice and Interpersonal Violence. Her work is grounded in intersectionality theory, discussing issues around the absence of and need for diversity, practices that limit and create equity, and the need for radical inclusion. Specifically, Dr. Barrios investigates the culture of nondisclosure of violence. Her scholarship is used to conduct trainings for local and national audiences (i.e. practitioners, researchers, educators) on the topics of cultural and trauma responsive strategies for working with individuals across the lifespan.