Learning Materials


Teaching Tool: Window of Tolerance

HSIPD-DeT_Handout-Packet.pdf

Attributes: Canva

Year: 2021

Client: Horizon Services, Inc.

Challenge: Upon joining the organization, there was an urgent need to provide staff with interpersonal de-escalation skills - particularly to self-awareness and how their [fear] in a situation can escalate unstable clients.

Solution: Design an in-person and e-learning training to expose staff to which initiates the conversation and further coaching through Program Managers over the course of the year, providing review and practice for staff.

Results: Staff were grateful to get the information, and it began a long and winding success/failure effort that has staff practicing self-awareness, self-control, accountability of each other, and support among each other for dealing with challenging clients. Overall rated a success, assigned annually.

CLIENT: Gaynor Rosier, Family Support Volunteering Agency

YEAR: 2020

Attributes: Adobe Illustrator, Canva

Year: 2020

Client: The Family Support Volunteering Project 

Challenge: Volunteers work with highly vulnerable families. Often the parent or child has problems regulating their emotions (due to ADHD or past trauma). They are easily triggered to dysregulation, moving outside their narrow ‘window of tolerance’ (Dr Dan Siegel). Client needed a really simple and visual infographic to explain this to children and parents who may have literacy issues rather than the standard professionals’ versions.

Solution: The idea with these simple graphics is that the practitioner point to the icons and demonstrate "comfortable", excited", and "slow" for heart-rate, breath, and thinking. For thinking, comfortable=efficient, excited=scrambled/confused, slow= bored/no interest/depressed. Graphics were made with four different children for diversity.

Results: "Thanks for your great work. Each picture depicts what I wanted really well. I can definitely use these with my families and young children. Fantastic job!" - Gaynor Rosier

Informational Sign for Cafeteria: EAP

Attributes: Adobe Illustrator, Canva

Year: 2021

Client: The IDOL Academy, student project

Challenge: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 85% of US businesses with 500 employees or more offered access to an EAP. (2018). Yet, one of the most common complaints about EAPs is that they don't get used. In fact, average utilization rates range from 4.5% to 6.5%.  (www.espyr.com).  Particularly during  COVID and the heightened anxiety and depression that resulted, the question became, why aren't staff using this benefit?

Solution: Research revealed a problem that didn't call for training. Many employees had heard of an EAP but didn't know how it works, what it offers, or how to access it. Simple signs were posted in the company cafeteria and by the sinks in all restrooms. Thirdly, a pdf of the sign was emailed to each employee company-wide.

Results: Employees inquired about EAP services by calling the direct number or filling out a contact form on the website for more information. Inquiries increased by nearly 4% in the two months following the solution.

Handout | Infographic: A History of the EAP

Attributes: Adobe Illustrator, Canva

Year: 2021

Client: The IDOL Academy, student project - Nine County Workers Assessed

Challenge: The modern day EAP has a respectable history and not one employee who was asked knew anything about it. One hundred percent stated some variation of "I don't need a therapist, and I'm sure there's a bait and switch anyway. I'll end up paying something."

Solution: During a company meeting taking a look at the history of EAP's was added to the agenda as an activity. First staff were asked questions, given answers and discussion was facilitated. With the interest of staff peaked, this infographic handout was provided - printed in color - to each worker in attendance. 

Results: There was more conversation about things like Veterans in the family who sought help, the value of the military and its effects on loved ones. Alcoholism and other difficult topics came up from time to time between colleagues at lunch, and of the nine interviewed, three called the number to set up a consultation.