“We understand the impact of childhood anxiety on kids and their families. We want parents to feel empowered to enact changes, even if the child is unwilling or unable to make changes themselves.”--Jessica Klau, Arlington High School Social Worker
The quote above illustrates one of the reasons that Ms. Klau, Ottoson Social Worker Suzanne Hawkins, Gibbs Social Worker Tom Nikiper, and elementary Social Worker Erica Gorton have come together to offer a pilot Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Parent Group. Each one was a participant in last year’s two-day virtual SPACE training offered to all interested APS social workers and counselors. Funding for this training was provided through the FY2022: Supporting Students’ Social Emotional Learning, Behavioral & Mental Health, and Wellness through Multi-Tiered Systems of Support , (SEL & Mental Health Grant) awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Magali Olander, APS Director of Social Emotional Learning & Counseling, was drawn to learn more about SPACE after listening to an episode of the podcast Hidden Brain. She understands that, in her words, “Working with children means working with, and supporting families and caregivers…” While the APS staff does a lot of this, she believes that having more formal tools is beneficial. She also knows how important it is to have “...caring and knowledgeable partners and support when a child is struggling.”
Developed by Dr. Eli Lebowitz at the Yale Child Study Center, SPACE training is focused on changing family behavior by teaching parents the best ways to respond to their anxious child. It teaches how to engage in a way that can enhance the child’s ability to cope with anxious thoughts and feelings and reduce avoidance behaviors. Ms. Olander believes that offering the training is a good way to enhance the department’s ability to partner and support families.
The first virtual Parent Group session was held on December 5. The attendees were those who had expressed interest in the program when they were contacted about their student’s elevated mental health screener scores. This meeting, which centered on psychoeducation on anxiety and on the SPACE model, was appropriate for caregivers of children from all grades. It enabled the attendees to be prepared for the two succeeding sessions that provide more concrete skills and strategies. All the social workers participated, each presenting different sections of the material. The subsequent two sessions are divided by grade. Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Klau co-lead the sessions for grades seven through 12 and Mr. Nikiper and Ms. Gorton do the same for grades Kindergarten through six.
One of the reasons Ms. Klau was drawn to become involved in leading the Parent Group is the SPACE focus on caregiver change as opposed to changing the anxious child. She found this aspect particularly exciting and states, “I recognized the accommodation cycle in many families I have worked with over the years, and I have not felt adequately prepared to help parents recognize and break the cycle. SPACE provides a concrete method to address this issue.” It is normal for parents to create this cycle because they instinctively want to protect their child from harm. Ms. Klau hopes that the Group will help the attendees feel empowered to end this and realize that they have not created the problem, but that they can be part of the solution.
Ms. Hawkins agrees, saying “I really liked the idea that this model is just for parents and caregivers. From my experience, parents often feel frustrated and helpless when their child is struggling. I think giving parents more tools can really be impactful for students, especially when students aren’t ready for or interested in treatment.” Ms. Hawkins hopes that the participants have a better understanding of how to manage their child’s anxious feelings after attending the Parent Group.
Ms. Gorton reports that she was “captivated” by the training she took, and believes that the SPACE “...perspective and knowledge can be invaluable to families who experience anxiety.” Having a better understanding of anxiety in general and recognizing that although it is a normal response, “...accommodation and reassurance in maintaining and exacerbating the anxiety cycle can be detrimental and actually increase the child’s anxiety.” Additionally, the Parent Group offers the chance to provide referrals to families who may be interested in accessing SPACE treatment with a trained clinician in the community.
At this point in the pilot, the feedback from attendees has been positive, with most reporting that they have found the content helpful or very helpful. The leaders hope to offer the Group again in the spring, and will use the feedback they gather to make adjustments so that the future training is even more helpful to the new participants.