LET & ABLE Newsletter

Issue 39 … April 2018

Dr. Recco’s Corner I want to talk about life and success. One of my favorite sayings is, “Things not discussed will haunt the future.” For each of us there comes a time when the addressing and facing of life altering situations and circumstances must take place.

There are several things I have learned over the years. One thing is that on a regular basis successful people seek ways and means to address the small and large unpleasant things in their lives. While they may not be successful 100 percent of the time, the goal and mindset is to not quit and give in to external and internal issues that threaten progress. In essence, they have a mindset of growth and are willing to discuss real and up close issues.

In my mind, now is the time to rise up and discuss life situations and the future that you desire. I personally challenge you to put forth yet another valiant effort to overcome and prevail against whatever has happened to you.

Crippling life events such as mistakes, misunderstandings, wrong-doings, the past, unmet expectations and previous failures do not have to be a life time sentence. We are not married to them. There should be, and can be, an end to what keeps replaying as less than pleasant themes in our lives. The willingness to talk and discuss real issues can help release achievement in critical areas for us all. Today and tomorrow are a good time to set ourselves to finally conquer the things that try to haunt our future.

I look forward to each of us securing peace with our past and reaching the finish line.

Recco

Inside This Issue

Dr. Recco’s Corner (p. 1)

Ivy League Pipeline (p. 2)

Preponderance of Poverty & Evidence (p. 3)

Thoughts About Poverty (p. 3)

LLPCs/LPCs Reunion Picnic (p. 5)

Parenting The Angry Child (p. 6)

Childhood Anger Coping/ Management Tools (p. 7)

ABLE Program (p. 8)

LLPC’s Info (p. 8)

“It’s time to rise to the occasion”

Dr. Recco

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Ivy League Pipeline Program 3rd Annual “Ivy League Colleges”

Pipeline Discussions Open To All Genesee County High Achieving 6th – 11th Grade Students

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 … 6 pm to 8 pm

Carman-Ainsworth High School (Auditorium) 1300 N. Linden Road, Flint, MI 48532

College Students Rani Richardson, Randi Richardson, Jelani Taylor & Jalen Ware Will Share Their Wisdom, Personal Experiences,

Perspectives & Critical Information Regarding Financial Aid, How Best To Prepare For And Gain Admission To Ivy League Colleges

- For Some Students The Cost To Attend An Ivy League College Can Be Less Than Attending A Public/Private 4 Year In-State College-

Contact

rani.richardson@gmail.com or Recco Richardson at reccorichardsonphd@gmail.com or (810) 394-7815

No Cost … Light Refreshments Will Be Served

This event is offered by the college students and supported by Recco S. Richardson Consulting, Inc.

“Always pursue truth &

knowledge” Dr. Recco

Ivy League Pipeline Program Components

-SAT/ACT Tutoring*

-College Tours/Visits

-Limited Fundraisers

-Academic Assignments

-Mentoring/Support

-Career Planning

-Limited Scholarships Search

-Enrichment Activities

-ACT/SAT Worksheets*

-Academic Assessments*

*Denotes services delivered by local vendors

“Dedication is key” Dr. Recco

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Preponderance of Poverty: How Mental Health Counselors Can Help

Clients Address Generational Financial Cycles (Part II) By

Recco Santee Richardson, Ph.D., LPC

The Real Problems

Via counseling sessions, psycho-educational groups, seminars/workshops and motivational speeches, I have probably serviced over 25,000 different children. Surely the children were, and continue to be from all walks of life. The spectrum of their creed, color, race, ethnicity, social status and academic abilities is expansive and something to behold. I have serviced those from the inner-city to the suburbs.

What I have come to realize is that poverty knows no color, and visits every ethnic group and community much more than it should. Perhaps because of my own childhood poverty, I have a special place in my heart for impoverished and marginalized children.

Impoverished and marginalized children (who will soon be the majority of children in America) have unlimited potential, a thirst to know, and need help. If not careful with them we can become detached and unfazed by their circumstances and existence. While our goal is to help them to the best of our ability, there remains a need and responsibility for us to care about them and be touched with the feelings of their infirmities.

There are several things that mental health counselors (and human services workers) can do to help children cope with, and hopefully negotiate the ills associated with being raised in poverty.

Systems of Oppression

To help the children, an understanding of past and current day oppression is needed. Oppression is defined as on-going and unfair treatment of a person via politics, the monetary system, media, and the military. It is a way and means of

denying people any meaningful human or civil rights.

Thoughts About Poverty

Solutions require a world-wide perspective

Is created and maintained

Describes a way of living

Upheld by philosophies

Is far reaching and real

A by-product of capitalism

Threatens the preservation of life and culture

Human agency makes a difference

Framed by data and research

Can help explains the state of mankind’s heart

Needs champions

“The poor shall always be with

us.”

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The goal of oppression is to control and manage a group of people through abuse, neglect, suppression, hardship, suffering, anguish, subjugation, ill treatment and persecution. From the root of oppression stems sexism, racism, classism and the list goes on.

The various isms found in America can be long range in nature and tend to impact, and perhaps target, impoverished children the most. Percentage wise, Black and brown children who live in urban areas, and Caucasian children who live in rural areas, are most likely to experience the fall out of isms and live in poverty.

It is not by choice that they live in poverty. Rather, various laws, systems, policies and administration in almost every sector of life, seem to track and keep them in a place of lack and oppression. It is well documented that lack and oppression can disrupt childhood happiness.

After so long, we cannot continue to blame parents and children for their poverty. They had help getting there and help will be needed to get them out.

Treating The Mental Health Needs Of Oppressed Children

When seeking to improve the mental health status and well-being of impoverished children. I have found that there are a few golden nuggets that help them wrestle with, and eventually overcome oppression’s babies.

Self Acceptance: One of the first tasks at hand for children (and adults) is to reach the point of self acceptance. We must lead those that we service down the path of embracing who they are.

Self-acceptance positions children to gather within themselves the necessary fortitude and energy to experience a life time of empowerment. From a position of personal empowerment, confidence and motivation are secured and the required stages of social development can take place.

“What Happy …

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Children Look Like”

Mindset Management: As a topic, growth mindset and fixed mindset are well documented within various disciplines and fields of study. Service providers that effectively help impoverished children, lean heavily on helping and reshaping their mindsets.

It takes personal resolve and work for children to address and focus on their counter-productive ideas, philosophies and perceptions that influence various life domains.

For children, progress and growth regarding their mindset tends to be gradual in nature and filled with set-backs, disappointments, wonderment and excitement. Among other things, the managing of mindsets requires children to develop positive self-talk, re-assess their relationships and process life events on a daily basis.

Goals & Dreams: Overall, goals and dreams serve as a desired target for children. They are the places and things hoped for. When working with children, it is critical to confront issues of deferment and waiting.

Most impoverished individuals cannot afford the luxury of waiting and the eventual deferment of hope that can make the heart ashamed. The waiting period and lack of perceived progress depletes their reservoir of positive affirmations.

It is held that personalized affirmations have the ability to gird individuals and help them charter difficult times. In essences, the affirmations can promote a will to achieve and steadfastness.

As mental health service providers, it is our challenge and job to irrigate and cultivate the passion and drive of those ascribed to our care, so that they can see a way out and reach their goals and dreams.

15 Positive Affirmations For

Children I can do it

Success is mine

I’m okay with being me

My chance will come soon

Preparation is my friend

I can trust myself

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The best is yet to come

Where there is a will there is a way

I matter

Dreams do come true

Shoot for the stars

Tomorrow is a new day

I’m strong and necessary

If it’s to be it’s up to me

Hard work still pays off

“You can have what you say” Dr. Recco

RSRC “LLPC Supervision” Reunion Picnic

Open To All Current & Former LLPC Supervisees & Their Families

Saturday, August 18, 2018 3 pm to 6 pm

Potter Zoo (Penguin Pavilion) 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MI 49912

________________________

Join the Flint, Lansing, Bay City and Clarkston cohort participants for

a wonderful time of fun, fellowship, memories, food,

relaxation and more.

________________________

Cost Parking ($5 per auto) & Zoo

Admission ($3 - $11 per person)

To RSVP & More Info Contact

Liz Curd, MA, LLPC e.v.curd@gmail.com or

(517) 490-5300

Recco Richardson, Ph.D., LPC

reccorichardsonphd@gmail.com or (810) 394-7815

Bring Your Children & Family Size Dish To

Pass

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A Glance At Potter ZooEnjoyable Zoo, Park & Gardens

Over 100 Acres Of Beautiful Landscape

Oldest Public Zoo In Michigan

Petty Farm & Shade

Great Children’s Playground

Close & Ample Parking

Friendly Staff

Easy Access To Expressway

Zoovenire Gift Shop

Safe Environment

Family Atmosphere

Neat & Clean Restrooms

Beautify Greenery

Near Red Cedar River

Fun, Fun, Fun

Parenting Your Child’s Anger (Part II) By Recco Santee Richardson, Ph.D., LPC

Anger Overload

It is believed that there is “anger” and then there is “anger overload.” Anger overload is at work when a child’s anger regularly erupts from 0 to 10 in a matter of seconds and lingers for upwards of an hour. When a child’s anger is viewed as an overload, a different approach to managing and assisting should take place.

What Works

Most anger and violence prevention strategies have failed because the problem requires a holistic approach. The successful approach addresses and engages the entire school system as well as other major systems that children are a part of (i.e. family and community).

In developing anger and violence prevention programs based on a holistic approach, it is held that several steps and ideas are needed. First, there needs to be a clear-cut definition of what anger and violence are.

Second, a prevention step that addresses environmental control is needed. Third, an intervention piece that addresses choices and consequences is required. Fourth, on going anger management, conflict resolution, peer mediation training and support groups should be offered.

The current body of literature suggests that there is a clear correlation between children’s anger and a variety of poor outcomes. For example,

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children who are given to anger can become destructive in the classroom. As well, anger can directly affect a child’s academic performance and undermine the overall learning environment.

When viewing diagnostic manuals, anger episodes, tantrums, aggression and similar words are common place when conceptualizing a child’s mental health status.

Features of Anger Overload

Erupts rather easily

Yelling and disrespect

Intense reactions

Not due to hyperness

Response to rejection

Difficult to anticipate

Presence of risk taking

Feelings are consuming

On-going fears

Begins with small issues

Not a mood swing

Poor boundaries

Excessiveness

Excuse making

Low tolerance

Trouble transitioning

“Anger is an emotion, not an

excuse” Dr. Recco

General Semantics

There are several effective treatments and preventive measures that teach children how to express their anger in socially acceptable ways. For example, general semantics (GS) can assist children in their effort to avoid anger.

General semantics is defined as an approach to life and events that encourages delayed reactions, logical thinking, respect for relationship, processing, consciousness of decision making, self-actualization and critical thinking.

General semantics ideas and formulations also are effective in countering anger’s ability to produce changes in pulse, stomach acid secretions and blood pressure that can weaken the body’s immune system

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and make it more difficult to fight off diseases. In essence, general semantics, when applied to everyday problems, offers a more efficient approach and puts less strain on the body.

Anger Management Class

Anger management classes have a long history of effectively teaching children how to manage their anger. The goal of anger management is to teach children techniques, that when utilized, decrease levels of anger and promote appropriate responses.

When assisting children in their efforts to learn how to understand and manage their emotions, it is necessary to provide them with tools.

Typical tools are new coping skills, physical activities, self-monitoring, increased self-awareness, avoiding confrontation, counting to 10, considering rewards/consequences, developing a support system, problem solving, displaying empathy/apathy and learning how to express their feeling and emotions properly. (to be continued next month)

Childhood Anger Management Tools

Develop coping skills

Daily physical activities

Self-monitor

Avoid confrontation

Count to 10

Recognize rewards

Respect consequences

Utilize support system

Effective problem solving

Have empathy/apathy

Regular Meditation

Process situations properly

Time management

Communicate feelings

“Managing your anger is

important” Dr. Recco

ABLE Program

The Adolescents for Better Learning Endeavors (ABLE) Program is designed to help school age youth move forward as a result of gaining new skills and competency.

The goal is for participants to be able to successfully participate within the school setting. The program helps

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participants improve their academics, social life, emotional maturity and decision-making skills.

Program Components

The program components are individual counseling, family counseling, home visits, crisis management, parenting workshops. incentives & awards, support groups, consultations and exciting fieldtrips

Licensure Education Training Program  (LET)

Offered by Recco S. Richardson Consulting, Inc., the Licensure Educational Training (LET) Program is an effective supervisory program that targets Limited Licensed Professional Counselors (LLPCs) who need supervision.

LET Services

Group Supervision: Monthly gatherings that review caseloads and discuss trends.

Individual Supervision: As requested, informal one-on-one sessions that provide personal attention and insightful strategies.

Communication: Unlimited monthly communication via phone, email and text.

Other: NCE workshops, counseling residencies, business services support, book club and scholarly writing/research.

Contact UsRecco S. Richardson Consulting, Inc.

Recco Santee Richardson, Ph.D., LPC 2500 S. Linden Road, P.O. Box 321252, Flint, MI 48532

(810) 394-7815 (Office) … (810) 732-6657 (Fax) Website: reccorichardson.com

Email: reccorichardsonphd@gmail.com

LET/LLPC’s INFO

Next Group Supervision

May 2018

Lansing: Saturday May 19, 2018 (4 pm – 8 pm)

Flint Sunday May 20, 2018 (5 pm – 9 pm)

June 2018

Lansing: Saturday June 23, 2018 (4 pm – 8 pm)

Flint: Sunday June 24, 2018 (5 pm – 9 pm)

Typical Topics

Case Conceptualization

Private Practice Insight

Treatment Planning

Personal Confidence

Clinical Diagnosis

Managing Difficult Clients

Career Planning

Grant/Proposal Writing

Ethical Dilemmas

Professional Disclosure

Case Termination 

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