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Healing Practices

Aikido
by Isaiah Wisdom

Aromatherapy
by
Julia Fischer

Attitudinal Healing
by Kathy Harris, Carolyn Smith, Marilyn Robinson

Ayurveda
by Marc Halpern, DC, CAS

Biofeedback
by William Barton, PhD

Child Psychiatry
by Kristi Panik, MD

Chiropractic Care
by Dr. Lana Surgenor DC

Craniosacral Therapy
by Hugh Milne, DO

Developmental Optometry
by Tanya Mahaphon, OD, FCOVD, FAAO

Drumming
by Christine Stevens, MT-BC, MSW, MA, Heather MacTavish

EMDR
by Sandra Wilson, PhD, Robert Tinker, PhD

Environmentally Healthy Homes
by Susan Bahl

Expressive Arts
by Lore Caldwell, LCMHC, ATR-BC

Feldenkrais Method
by Linda Evans-Delman, Russell Delman

Flower Essences
by Katharina Johnson, MD (Austria)

Herbology
by Karyn Sanders

Homeopathy
by Dian Wagner, Randy Jane Reitzes, LVN, CMT, CCHH,
Lisette Narragon, CCH, BRCP

Home Study/Independent Study
by June Nason, MS Ed

Hypnotherapy
by Randi Farkas, MA, MFT

Light Therapy
by John Downing, OD, PhD

Massage
by Alan Jordan, BA, LMT, NCTMB, Peggy Farlow, MS Ed, LMT, CIMI

Meditation
by Heather Sundberg

Music Lessons
by Nicholas Simmons, BA

Nonviolent Communication
by Inbal Kashtan

Nutrition Education
by Paula Bartholomy, MS, CNC

Osteopathy
by Carlisle Holland, DO

Precision Teaching
by Elizabeth Haughton, MA

Psychotherapy
by Peter Carnochan, PhD

Safe School Ambassadors
by Rick Phillips, MS Ed

Support for Parents
by Theresa Beldon, MA, MFTI, Bodynamic Analyst

Traditional Chinese Medicine
by Bob Flaws, L.Ac., FNAAOM (USA), FRCHM (UK)

Western Medicine
by Marie Mulligan, MD

Wilderness Therapy
by Robert Cooley, PhD

Yoga
by Brenda Bakke, MsEd, PT, CYT


Aikido For Children/Youth
By Isaiah Wisdom
Brief Description Of Aikido
• Aikido is a nonviolent, non-resistant martial art from Japan.
• Aikido means unifying energy, the way of harmony.

Aromatherapy For Children/Youth
By Julia Fischer
Brief Description Of Aromatherapy
• Aromatherapy is a form of herbal medicine that relies on the healing properties of essential oils from plants.
• These essential oils interface with the body directly through inhalations, topical applications and in some cases internally.
• When properly chosen they are safe and suitable for use by everyone for treatment of a wide range of complaints.

Attitudinal Healing For Children/Youth
By Kathy Harris, Carolyn Smith, Marilyn Robinson
Brief Description Of Attitudinal Healing (AH)
• AH is based on the belief that it is possible to choose peace rather than conflict and love rather than fear. This belief is expressed in the “Twelve Principles”, a non-sectarian set of spiritual guidelines.

Ayurveda For Children/Youth
By Marc Halpern, DC, CAS
Brief Description Of Ayurveda
• The traditional medicine of India--which literally translated means “the science or knowledge of life,” can support the healing process for almost any condition or illness.
• It is often referred to as “the Mother of all healing” and focuses on health, rather than illness.
• Ayurveda truly treats the whole person.
• It is based on the idea that each person is unique, each imbalance is unique, and each person’s path toward healing is unique.
• Therapies utilized include dietary, herbal, aroma, color, sound, massage, meditation, yoga, and lifestyle.

Biofeedback For Children/Youth
By: Bill Barton, MBA, MA, PhD
Brief Description Of Biofeedback
• Biofeedback is a painless, non-invasive technique for learning control of the processes of the mind and body.
• Instruments are used that give precise, immediate and meaningful auditory and/or visual feedback of the child’s physiology.
• Biofeedback is used to increase relaxation, relieve pain and the effects of stress.
• Biofeedback is also used to train awareness and mindfulness for the promotion of healthier and more comfortable life patterns.
• Each session can be fun, challenging and helpful.

Child Psychiatry
By Kristi Panik, MD
Brief Description Of Child Psychiatry
• Child Psychiatry in the United States is a way of helping children with a variety of disorders and difficulties. It begins with a thorough assessment of the difficulties the child or adolescent is having.
• A Child Psychiatrist carefully investigates the current and past circumstances of the young person’s and family’s lives and how the young person and family members interact with one another and within their environment. The Child Psychiatrist explores the strategies that have already been put in place (or attempted) by the young person and family to deal with difficulties.
• Drawing upon years of training and experience, the Child Psychiatrist attempts to determine factors that may be contributing to the young person’s difficulties. The Child Psychiatrist then suggests things that can be helpful. These may include ideas about how to approach the issues in a different way: talk or play therapy; extra help at school; further evaluations or tests; close attention to diet, exercise and sleep; and sometimes, prescription medication or over-the-counter treatments.
• In American Child Psychiatry the child or teen may be involved with psychologists, social workers and family therapists who do the talk or play therapy sessions. Psychologists may also administer psychological tests for further information when needed.
• Child Psychiatrists consult with schools or any organizations such as a medical clinic or child protective agency that are also working for the young person’s welfare.

Chiropractic Care For Children/Youth
By Dr. Lana Surgenor, DC
Brief Description Of Chiropractic Care
• Chiropractic includes numerous techniques or practices that use the spinal vertebrae as access points to reduce nerve system pressure or interference, to optimize health, healing and well-being throughout the body.
• Techniques employed range from adjusting upper cervical-specific (upper neck only), to full spinal adjustments. Extremity adjustments and instrument use are also incorporated into some approaches. The Chiropractic spinal adjustment (chiro=”hand”, practic=”done by”) is a way to access the nerve system which is being protected by the spine. An adjustment releases life force, improves physiological function, frees stuck neural patterns, releases stress and returns our bodies to a state of dynamic healing.
• Chiropractic is based upon the principles of life, health, healing, wellness and well-being. It embraces the inarguable truth that every living being is born with an innate intelligence that knows how to organize, adapt, heal and experience life fully.
• A growing body of scientific research and careful observation is supporting Chiropractic care for all ages.
• Although Chiropractors are trained in Chiropractic school to address all ages and aspects of health, some Chiropractors take further training in order to concentrate in different specialties which include but are not limited to; pediatrics, prenatal care, family wellness care, geriatric care, radiology, athletics, neurology, nutrition and physical therapy.
• Chiropractic care is delivered in private offices, multi-disciplinary clinics and some hospitals.
• Millions of people in all age groups, including babies & kids, have enjoyed positive symptomatic results through Chiropractic care.

Craniosacral For Children/Youth
By Hugh Milne, ND, DO
Brief Description Of Craniosacral
• Craniosacral is a form of bodywork that utilizes extremely delicate finger and hand contacts to cranium, spine, and pelvis.
• It works with cranial bones, central nervous system, energy fields, membranes and cerebrospinal fluid.
• It can have a dramatic effect on dyslexia, headache, TMJ, and A.D.H.D., and is effective in correcting cranial molding after birth.

Developmental Optometry For Children/Youth
By Dr. Tanya K. Mahaphon, OD, FCOVD, FAAO
Brief Description Of Developmental Optometry
• Developmental optometry is the practice of using lenses, prisms, and/or visually-guided motor activities to enhance visual performance.
• The main goals of developmental optometry are to achieve “single, clear, comfortable binocular (two-eyed) vision” and to develop visual-spatial, visual analysis, and visual-integration skills.
• Vision therapy is a medically supervised program that can treat conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (turned or crossed eyes), poor eye movements needed in tracking or reading a book, visual-spatial skills (such as left/right confusion and letter reversals), visual analysis skills (such as visual memory, visual figure/ground, visual form constancy), visual-integration skills (such as visual-motor integration/eye-hand coordination, visual-verbal integration/rapid naming, and visual-auditory integration/seeing and hearing match.


Drumming For Children/Youth
By Christine Stevens, MT-BC, MSW, MA and Heather MacTavish
Brief Description Of Drumming
• Trained therapists or facilitators use drums and rhythm, in groups or individually, to help children and youth overcome the challenges they face.
• Drumming gives all children/youth a voice.

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) For Children/Youth
By Sandra A. Wilson, PhD and Robert Tinker, PhD
Brief Description Of EMDR
• EMDR is used to help children recover from strong emotional reactions to difficult things (traumas) that have happened in their lives.
• Only licensed mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, and psychotherapists, can be trained in EMDR.
• EMDR uses eye or hand movement, or tapping with talking to achieve emotional release and to gain new ways of reacting to what has occurred.

Environmentally Healthy Homes
By Susan Bahl
Brief Description Of How Environmentally Healthy Home Consultants Work
• Environmentally Healthy Home Consultants are concerned with having healthy environments for children and youth.
• Environmentally Healthy Home Consultants help parents locate contaminants and hazards in children/youth’s home environment.
• Environmentally Healthy Home Consultants help parents make realistic plans about what to do about toxins that are present.

Expressive Arts Therapy For Children/Youth
By Lore Caldwell, LCMHC, ATR-BC
Brief Description Of Expressive Arts Therapy
• Expressive Arts Therapy uses art and creativity to help children connect to their problems, give voice to their emotions, and learn techniques to heal.
• Expressive Arts Therapy uses a variety of techniques including art, drama, movement, music, poetry, puppetry, and sand play.
• Through the experience of Expressive Arts Therapy, the child’s individuality and self-esteem are supported and enhanced.

The Feldenkrais Method® For Children/Youth
By Russell Delman and Linda Evans Delman
Brief Description Of The Feldenkrais Method®
• Through the gentle touch and respectful interaction of the Feldenkrais practitioner, children are able to learn to move themselves more effectively, easily and enjoyably.
• The Feldenkrais movements organize the whole brain and therefore affect the thinking, feeling, and behavioral functions of the child.
• The Feldenkrais Method® helps children to sense themselves more clearly and to develop a more accurate self-image and awareness of the world around them.

Flower Essences For Children/Youth
By Katharina Johnson, MD (Austria)
Brief Description Of Flower Essences
• Flower essences are gentle but powerful vibrational healing remedies, which act to balance harmonies in the emotional and spiritual bodies.
• They have the ability to help us heal, to stabilize and support us, to stimulate self-responsibility and self-awareness, to clear energy blockages, to transform old beliefs and open us to new possibilities.
• They do not operate at a biochemical level, as prescription drugs do, but work on a vibrational level, and by doing so they affect the subtle energy body which is present in the human field.
• Upsetting emotions are the result of an interruption in the natural flow of energy.
• By ingesting flower essences, or when used topically as an ointment, flower essences interact with our own energy field and can help us rebalance our energy and our emotions.
• Flower essences are one of the safest self-help remedies available, as they do not have any known side effects.
• They can be used safely with children, adults, animals and plants.

Herbology For Children/Youth
By Karyn Sanders
Brief Description Of Herbology
• Uses herbs to bring the child's body back into balance.
• Good health depends on the mind, body and spirit of the child being in harmony with each other. If one is off, they're all off. Herbology restores that balance.
• An herb is anything that is plant matter.
• Healing comes about through the alignment of the sick child’s energy, the illness, and the herb.
• The challenge is to get to the root of the illness: Why is it there, and what is causing the symptoms? Herbology meets that challenge.

Homeopathy For Children/Youth
By Dian Wagner, Randy Jane Reitzes, LVN, CMT, CCHH and Lisette Narragon, CCH, BRCP
Brief Description Of Homeopathy
• Homeopathy treats the whole child on all levels: mental, physical and emotional for both short and long term conditions.
• Homeopathic remedies prevent or treat illness by stimulating the body's defense mechanisms.

Hypnotherapy For Children/Youth
By Randi Farkas, MA, MFT
Brief Description Of Hypnotherapy
• Hypnotherapy is a method for accessing and changing buried memories, fears or habits that interfere with the full expression of the child’s true nature. The bonus of using Hypnotherapy, as compared to other equally effective modalities like play therapy, art or drama therapy, is that with Hypnotherapy, many issues can be resolved in a handful of sessions. Often one meeting is all it takes to resolve a child's problem.
• Hypnotherapy is a naturally occurring state, easily observed in children when they stop playing and stare off into space. Teens and adults experience Hypnotherapy while watching a movie, listening to music, daydreaming, or driving "on automatic pilot" while thinking about something else. The feeling is generally of relaxation coupled with intent focus and receptiveness.

"We might compare it to a teeter-totter. In the waking state the conscious mind is at the high end of the teeter-totter and the subconscious mind at the low end. Under Hypnotherapy they reverse and the subconscious is at the high end, and the conscious mind at the low end, but it is still present. Thoughts rise from the inner mind into consciousness." Leslie M. LeCron

• Hypnotherapy uses this natural state to bring about positive change by engaging the child with a game, story or some other focus of interest.
• Next comes the healing work: suggestions are given that help the child believe and act in new ways. These suggestions may be quite concrete and matter-of-fact ("Would it be alright for the pain to move to the tip of your little finger?"). Or, they may be presented in images and metaphors. For example, a story about a sad little dog being adopted by a loving family might help a child connect to her adoptive family. Or the image of a rain cloud letting go of its drops of water at exactly the right time for the farmers' fields could help with persistent bed-wetting. A professional hypnotist always asks the child's subconscious mind for permission to deal with a topic.
• How the hypnotist decides to work depends on both her/his style and what they’ve observed about the child. Often, children like the idea of creating a "control room" in their minds where they can view their problem on a screen, making it smaller or different to bring about the desired results. Or the healing work may consist of a story constructed to echo the child's situation but with a twist that brings about positive change. The idea here is to allow the child to tap into their imagination in order to free themselves from the problem.

Independent Study For Children/Youth
By June Nason, MS Ed
Brief Description Of Independent Study
• Independent Study is an alternative instructional strategy whereby students work independently and generally at home, according to a written agreement, and under the supervision of a credentialed teacher(s). Parents and family members provide additional support for their student as needed.
• Public school districts can operate Independent Study as a program within a regular school, or as a charter school or an alternative school. There are some private schools that use an Independent Study strategy as well as online Independent Study programs.
• Always check out the accreditation policies of an Independent Study program.
• Not all school districts offer Independent Study as an alternative option. In some cases, parents can request a school district transfer, enabling their student to enroll in a neighboring school district that offers Independent Study.
• The curriculum and instructional materials are provided by the public, state supported school system.
• Independent Study students follow a school district’s course outlines – or state standards, and meet the district graduation requirements.
• Independent Study offers flexibility to meet a student’s interests and styles of learning, within the context of required course content standards.
• Independent Study students can achieve a state government education department approved High School Diploma and pursue a college education.
• With Independent Study, parents can take back responsibility for their child/youths' education by becoming more involved in their student’s education.
• Independent Study is offered as an alternative to regular classroom attendance for children and youth by some, but not all, public school systems.
• Outside California, Independent Study may have another legal name such as “Home Study.”
• Independent Study education provides support and resources to parents and families.
• The Independent Study teacher files reports on pupil progress with state education authorities.
• There are websites about Independent Study, Home Study, Alternative Education, and Home Schooling.
• Independent Study is different from Home Schooling because Home Schooling parents most often receive no assistance, no materials, and no guidance from local school districts.
• Students enrolled in Independent Study can receive all the benefits and services the school district has to offer: psychological services, counselors, sports programs, music programs, foreign language classes, school libraries, and special education service.

Light Therapy For Children/Youth
By John Downing, OD, PhD
Brief Description Of Light Therapy
• Colored Light Therapy utilizes specific colors of light shined into the eyes to stimulate and enhance brain function.
• This therapeutic light stimulates almost every cell in the brain, which in turn improves brain and body chemistry and function.
• Colored Light Therapy is a medically supervised program that guides the patient through a series of therapies that result in better vision, improved mental functioning, emotional processing, and improved coordination.

Massage/Touch For Children/Youth
By Peggy Jones Farlow, MEduc, LMT, CIMI and Alan Jordan, BA, LMT, NCTMB
Brief Description Of Massage/Touch
• Massage/Touch provides an opportunity for increased bonding and attachment between parent and child.
• It balances the child's muscle tone by increasing floppy muscle tone and decreasing tight muscle tone.
• Massage/Touch supports respiration and deeper breathing patterns.
• It enhances the immune system by increasing circulation and lymph flow.
• When done in specific ways, Massage/Touch can increase the child’s verbalization and socialization.

Meditation (Insight Meditation) For Children/Youth
By Heather Sundberg
Brief Description Of Insight Meditation
• Mindfulness Meditation is a training, wherein the child/youth develops moment to moment nonjudgmental curious attention to the direct experience of mind and body.

Music Lessons For Children/Youth
By Nick Simmons, BA
Brief Description Of Music Lessons
• I set the scene by greeting the students as they enter. I often mirror their behavior and try to adapt to them. One way to do this is to be playing music they like as they enter - from loud rock to a lullaby. Sometimes they have lots of energy so I mirror their excitement. Other students are quiet and mellow and I try to follow in the same way.
• The ‘initial check in' is very important. Sometimes students will want to talk about something not related to music. This usually feels okay as it gives an outlet for releasing things that could be distracting them when we do begin to focus on music. It is important to see if there are any questions or challenges that arose during the week. I often give a review of the last week’s lesson.
• I then ask questions to get a sense of what students want to work on. This helps create a flow to the time we have together. I make it clear that I work for them and that the lesson is their time. I also try to emphasize the value of not wasting our time together. Structure is important. Depending on age and maturity, redirection and focusing is sometimes needed.
• Lessons revolve around the students’ musical preferences. They are empowered by making decisions about what they want to learn. This leads to the children/youth learning more because they are more relaxed. Students are more motivated to practice at home because they enjoy what they are playing.
• Many pupils bring the songs they want to learn as recorded music (cd’s, iPods,) or printed music they find on the Internet. I also have an extensive library of recorded music which I share. Often I learn the song on the spot and teach them until we play it together. Learning is made easier and more enjoyable when students choose familiar songs to play that they like.
• A major part of the lesson involves using what the student chooses to focus on as a launching point for basic music theory and techniques (rhythm, scales, chords, pattern recognition). For example: some children/youth want to learn a punk rock song; I point out that the song uses a particular scale. I then expand on that scale and show them how to connect that scale to the song we’re learning. This often leads the students to improvising and composing their own music. Many times I make CD’s for them to practice along with at home.
• Another tool involves making music without an agenda. We create music together spontaneously, sometimes with only a few notes. We play together and I back them up so that they sound great to themselves. In these moments I point out their successes and courage at taking risks and expressing themselves. I often record and make CD’s of these songs for them to enjoy at home with family and friends. This can give them encouragement.
• Many parents confuse leaning standard musical notation with learning music. For most children/youth it is useful to learn a musical language which organizes their understanding of rhythm, melody, harmony, and ways of communicating these ideas. I frequently encourage students to learn to read music and write what they hear in many ways suited to their skill level. There are many different ways. Depending on the instrument and style being played, learning standard notation methods is often not the most efficient way to begin to read music. By teaching these effective tools for reading and writing music, the students learn to organize their ideas, express themselves and share their music with others.
• Some children are very self-conscious and frightened of learning new things and expressing themselves. The pleasure and relaxation that comes from music often creates an ideal atmosphere to work with these challenges. Many students go on to start their own groups and to create original music.
• Lessons often end with clearing up any misunderstandings, and making sure that the home practice ideas are understood.
• I always thank them for their time and effort. I honor their efforts and accomplishments.

Nonviolent Communication For Children/Youth (NVC)
By Inbal Kashtan
Brief Description Of Nonviolent Communication
• Nonviolent Communication is a process that supports people to understand themselves and each other and to develop skills to resolve conflicts peacefully.
• It is used around the world by people in many situations - including places of work, schools, prisons and in personal relationships, among others.
• NVC can help parents understand their children’s behavior and treat the children with compassion and care.
• Using NVC, children can be helped to understand themselves, their friends, and the adults in their lives, and to come up with solutions to problems that are more likely to work for everyone.
• NVC principally helps parents connect with their children. It supports parents who are struggling with anger or ongoing frustration in relation to their children.
• NVC supports parents who don’t have a sense of mutual care and understanding with their children. It also supports parents who are generally satisfied with their parenting but who want to have more connection with their children.

Nutrition Consulting For Children/Youth
By Paula Bartholomy, MS, CNC
Brief Description Of Nutrition Consulting
• A Nutrition Educator or Consultant can assist individuals with self-healing by:
• Educating the client regarding appropriate diet, herbs, supplement and lifestyle needs.
• Offering support on a broad range of health conditions.
• Considering each person to be biochemically unique.
• Individualizing diet plans to help individuals overcome their health challenges.
• Suggesting appropriate diet and lifestyle changes to help restore health and balance.
• Emphasizing that many illnesses are diet related.
• Noting that illness is related to problems of the digestion and/or liver detoxification processes and their influence on immune, nervous and endocrine function.
• Stressing that nutrition has a positive impact on the whole person--physical, mental, and emotional.

Osteopathy
By Carlisle Holland, DO
Brief Description Of Osteopathy
• Osteopathy, a practice that includes a combination of manipulative therapy and standard Western Medicine, helps children with a wide range of challenges. Osteopaths understand that humans function as a complete working system. The body structure, organ systems, mind and emotions are all interrelated and mutually interdependent.
• The Manipulative therapy works on the body's structure--connective tissue, ligaments, the skeleton, and muscles--to relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore all-around health. There is much focus on easing muscular tension, which not only alleviates pain and stiffness but it also allows for the unimpeded flow of blood and lymph fluids.

Precision Teaching For Children/Youth
By Elizabeth Haughton, MA
Brief Description Of Precision Teaching
• Precision Teaching is a learning system that helps children/youth who have a difficult time focusing, learning, and achieving their goals.
• Precision Teaching does this by providing continuous, minute-by-minute monitoring and feedback of progress to students and teachers.
• This is accomplished by pinpointing skills, charting progress, and analyzing learning pictures.
• Fluency aims are used to guarantee retention, endurance, and application of skills.
• Students set fluency aims, chart their progress, achieve “personal bests,” and celebrate their learning.

Psychotherapy For Children/Youth - Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
By Peter Carnochan, PhD
Brief Description Of Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy is a method for helping children, teenagers and families with emotional and behavioral problems.
• Psychotherapy can help with behavior problems at home and at school.
• Psychotherapy can support children during separations, divorces, and/or grief.
• Psychotherapy can help children heal from the damages of abuses of all kinds.
• There are various methods of psychotherapy (a list of methods can be found later in this chapter). One of these methods is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.

Safe School Ambassadors® For Children/Youth
By Rick Phillips, MsEd
Brief Description Of Safe School Ambassadors Program
• Community Matters staff assist students and school staff to identify appropriate students to be trained as Safe School Ambassadors (SSA).
• These students must fulfill several criteria, including being natural student leaders from the various social groups within a school.
• The SSA program training then teaches intervention techniques to these youth leaders to use informally, in the moment, when they see their friends doing things that might lead to trouble. The training also encourages and offers methods for Ambassadors to support targeted students and to befriend or include students who have been mistreated and excluded from social networks.
• The SSA program training includes a small number of school staff and they then meet regularly with the trained student leaders to help them keep practicing these intervention skills and problem-solve about common interpersonal difficulties. These trained adults from the campus community meet with Ambassadors in small groups, consistently and frequently, for ongoing skill-building and to provide personal support, as well as to gather data about safety and students’ interactions on their campus.

Support For Parents
By Theresa Beldon, MA, MFTI, Bodynamic Analyst
Brief Description Of Support For Parents
• All parents need support.
• Everyone needs support, especially parents.
• Getting and giving support is part of being healthy humans.
• Raising children/youth is a very difficult job, for which most parents have no training.
• Many parents were not understood, nurtured, protected or encouraged as children and teens.
• All parents do the best job they can depending upon their own childhoods, and levels of knowledge and experience.
• At the present time, a great deal more is known about how children/youth can thrive and develop more effectively.
• More information is being discovered each year.
• Dealing with children/youth who are having challenges can be difficult.
• Extra effort, time, money, concern have to be given if the child/youth is to deal with his/her challenges.
• Parents of children/youth with challenges often burn out and make the situation worse.
• Far too often, parents feel as unsupported and misunderstood as their children/youth.
• Parents can begin to argue and fight in ways that don’t result in anything but more pain. In the worst case scenario, they might even separate or divorce. This hurts the child /youth even further.
• We offer parents support so the family can stay together and thrive together.

Traditional Chinese Medicine For Children/Youth
By Bob Flaws, L.Ac., FNAAOM (USA), FRCHM (UK)
Practitioner, Teacher, Publisher
Brief Description Of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Traditional Chinese Medicine is the oldest continually practiced professional medicine in the world today. It is a complete system of medicine that treats old and young, men and women, boys and girls - for acute and chronic complaints.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on the concept of identifying various kinds of imbalances within the body and correcting them.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine treats the whole person.
• The main method of treatment is to use herbs in water-based mixtures. Other methods include acupuncture, herbal heat treatment, massage, osteopathy, dietary therapy, and meditation.

Western Medicine For Children/Youth
(Also known as Bio Medicine or Allopathic Medicine)
By Marie Mulligan MD
Brief Description Of Western Medicine
• Includes a vast set of practices to treat diseases, injuries and to maintain health.
• Includes specialties of practice addressing every physical and emotion aspect of human beings.
• Is based upon careful observation, scientific methods, a growing body of scientific research, as well as trial and error.
• Practitioners have to be licensed by state governments and certified by professional associations. The federal government grants the ability to prescribe controlled drugs.
• Service is divided up into Specialties and Subspecialties.
• Primary medical care is delivered in offices, clinics, local community hospitals, by: Pediatricians; Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Pediatric Physician Assistants; Family Physicians; Family Nurse Practitioners; and Family Physician Assistants. These practitioners refer people with complicated challenges to specialists who are called Subspecialty Pediatric Physicians.
• Subspecialty Pediatric Physicians deliver their services in offices, clinics, local community hospitals, specialist hospitals, and regional centers. Subspecialists are usually available in larger cities and are less available in smaller cities and towns.
• Non-Surgical Subspecialties:
Allergy (for allergies); Cardiology (for heart); Dermatology (for skin); Developmental (neurological and behavioral development); Emergency; Endocrinology (for glands and hormones); Gastroenterology (for stomach and intestines); Genetics; Hematology (for blood); Infectious Disease; Neurology (for brains and nerves); Nephrology (for kidneys); Oncology (for cancer ); Physical Medicine (rehabilitation); Psychiatry (for mental health, learning and behavior); Pulmonology (for lungs); Radiology (for diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology; for options to surgery procedures); Rehabilitation; Rheumatology (for arthritis and autoimmune conditions); Sports Medicine.
• Surgical Subspecialties:
Cardiothoracic (for heart and chest); Dental; General (non-specialist surgeons); Neurosurgery (for brain and nerves); Obstetrics and Gynecology (for female reproductive organs); Ophthalmology (for eyes); Oral and Maxillofacial (for teeth, mouth and face); Orthopedics (for bones); Plastic or Reconstructive surgery; Otolaryngology (for head and neck); Transplant; Trauma; Urology (for kidney and bladder); Vascular (for veins and arteries).
• Allied Medical Fields:
Audiology (for hearing); Chiropractic; Dentistry; Dietetics (about nutrition); Epidemiology (health and illness research about large groups of people); Health Education; Medical Social Work; Nursing; Optometry; Pharmacy; Physical Therapy; Psychiatry; Psychology; Podiatry (for feet); Public Health and Preventive Medicine; Respiratory (for breathing); Speech and Language Therapy.

Wilderness Therapy For Children/Youth
By Robert Cooley, PhD
Brief Description Of Wilderness Therapy
• Wilderness Therapy is an extended period of time, usually 3-8 weeks, spent in remote outdoor locations with a knowledgeable staff. It usually involves backpacking in remote areas. In modern programs this is not rigorous or challenging, but is rather designed to provide healthy physical activity and a sense of mastery.
• The primary antidotes to what is ailing the participant are natural beauty and the need to provide for one’s own basic needs (shelter, food, sleep, etc.), along with a sense of emotional and physical safety. These provide a peaceful “time out” from the high risk lives most participants have been living.
• The outdoor component is supplemented in some programs by a therapy component in which experienced therapists enrich reflection, help deepen the experience, and clarify participants’ needs and goals in life.

Therapeutic Yoga For Children/Youth
By Brenda Bakke, MsEd, PT, CYT
Brief Description Of Yoga
• Yoga means union, a joining of the body, mind, and spirit. Yoga for children/youth is an actively engaging way for children/youth to develop their physical, mental, and emotional health. Through yoga, children/youth learn how to relax, focus their energy and develop poise, strength, balance, and flexibility.
• Yoga helps the child /youth create connections in body, mind, and spirit by developing mindfulness and self-awareness.
• The therapeutics of yoga provides a methodology to improve mental and motor skills in children/youth with learning and developmental disabilities.

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