Pine Rest Mission Statement
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is called to express the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by providing behavioral health services with professional excellence, Christian integrity and compassion.

Effective Praise

Richard (Rick) Baez, PsyD
Clinical Director - Center for Psychiatric Residential Services (CPRS)

During my years of training and job experience working with children and adolescents, I have found one particular teaching technique to be beneficial, namely, Effective Praise. Almost everyone likes to be praised and/or recognized for a job well done.

The steps to Effective Praise are as follows:

1) Start with a praise statement and identify the skill used
Example: Excellent Jane! You followed instructions.
2) Briefly describe the appropriate behavior
Example: You said okay, took out the trash, and asked me if you could do anything else.
3) Provide a rationale
Example: When you follow directions right away, you have more free time to do things you like to do.
4) Request for Acknowledgement
Example: Does that make sense?
5) Positive Consequence
Example: For following instructions you’ve earned an extra 15 minutes staying up before bedtime.
6) General Praise and encouragement
Example: Once again good work, and keep it up (pat on the back)!

Some examples of when to use Effective Praise with a child or teenager include: when someone follows directions; accepts ‘No’ for an answer; accepts consequences; shares; smiles; makes appropriate conversation; and respects others.

Before you can implement the steps to Effective Praise some fundamental points need to be addressed. For one, although the use of Effective Praise appears to be relatively simple, it is both a science and an art, requiring you to use both your “head” and your “heart.” Second, you have to be genuine in your praise. If you are not genuine, you have no chance of being effective. In fact, giving praise that is disingenuous is sometimes worse than not getting any praise at all. In addition, you have to "catch someone doing well.” In other words, you can’t praise what you don’t see or hear.

There are numerous benefits from Effective Praise. It has been shown to be a powerful teaching tool; it increases the likelihood of future positive performance; it decreases inappropriate behavior; it enhances youth’s self-esteem; and finally, it helps build positive relationships.

(Adapted from “Teaching Social Skills to Youth – A Curriculum for Child-Care Providers (1992) by Tom Dowd, M.A. and Jeff Tierney, M.Ed. Boys Town Press, Nebraska.)

Handling Stress at Work

by Karen Klemm, B.A., Customer Relations Administrator

Self-Image
Perhaps the factor that has the greatest impact on the individual's personal work stress experience is the person's self-image. Employees who define themselves by the work they do at the expense of all other aspects of their life are at great risk of experiencing symptoms of distress. Individuals need a balance in life that includes time to play, reflect, and relax.

A self-image that doesn't allow for those aspects consequently places all expectations of fulfillment in work alone. This isn't to suggest that hard work and dedication are undesirable because both can be enriching and fulfilling. It's essential, however, that individuals evaluate all aspects of themselves to include family, personal relationships, pleasurable activities, and spirituality, as well as career.

The absence of balance contributes to the growing phenomenon of modem times that most illness is no longer caused by external (microbes, bacteria, virus, and parasites) but internal forces. Heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders are growing at an alarming rate. Many experts agree that the evidence is obvious, and it is imperative to address.

We each bring our unique personalities, needs, and strengths to the job. It is, therefore, essential to find an appropriate fit between individual and career. Frequently, the greatest cause of occupational stress is that workers are not fundamentally suited to the job to which they are assigned or have chosen.

Consider the emergency service worker. A typical day is anything but typical. There can be long stretches when nothing happens followed by a call to a grinding accident that requires life-and-death decisions and actions. Most EMS workers love their jobs and are stimulated by the urgency of the tasks required. Contrast those individuals to lab technicians or research scientists, meticulously measuring, evaluating, and documenting in their daily tasks. The very situations that would stress one worker would be fulfilling to the other.

Handling Workplace Stress
How, then, does an individual deal effectively with work stress? Like our grandparents before us, we all need to work to meet basic needs as well as to live the increasingly affluent American lifestyle. Most of us do, in fact, work for the financial compensation. But we work for a variety of other reasons, too.

Many employees perform job functions that enhance the well-being of others--those in health care, teachers, law enforcement officers, and many more. Others work at jobs that allow them to create, build, or otherwise produce goods and services that are an integral part of the community. Hopefully, most people work at jobs that allow them to use their talents and ability or to practice a profession for which they have trained. Few employees, however, find that work provides all the fulfillment an individual needs in life. Most people need to find and sustain a balance in life that promotes health and well-being.

Beyond the common suggestions such as good nutrition and adequate exercise, there are other strategies that help to cope with stress. Since stress is triggered by a stimulus and information is a stimulant, consider the amount of information from TV, radio, newspapers, the Internet and more that contemporary Americans are exposed to in a single day. Try limiting the amount of information you "ingest" and attempt to build a few minutes (or hours) of reflection or daydreaming. Studies show that the calming effect of vivid imaging of a quiet, beautiful place (like a beach at sunset) is as effective as actually experiencing it.

Organizations also can contribute to reducing their employees' stress by providing wellness programs that encourage exercise and health education. They also may contract for an Employee Assistance Program for employees to access with personal problems.

Work can, indeed, be stressful. But understanding the stress response, recognizing the symptoms of stress, evaluating the factors that cause the stress, and devising (and sticking to) strategies to minimize the effects of stress can both improve the quality of the individual employee's life and increase the productivity of the organization that provides employment.

(Excerpted from "Today" magazine's "Feeling Frayed? How to Handle Stress" issue. Read the full article at http://www.pinerest.org/education/today/stress2/work.asp)

Upcoming Events

Classes and Workshops
January 5, 12, 19, 26
Pine Rest Hosts Anger Management Classes
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will be hosting Anger Management classes in September and November 2005. Classes will be led by Jim Bottenhorn, M.A., L.L.P., director of Pine Rest’s Contact Center.

The six-hour classes will be held over the course of four consecutive Thursday evenings in January, and four consecutive Tuesday evenings in March, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Mulder Center on Pine Rest’s main campus, 300 68th Street SE, Grand Rapids. Classes are geared toward adults and older teens (aged 16 and older), and are open to both men and women.
For more information click here.

Family Institute Lectures and Certification Classes
January 14, 21, 28
Secrets for Successful Marriage
Pre-marital workshop taught by experienced marriage professionals for couples who want to grow their relationship in preparation for marriage. Because it is skill-based, it is a valuable addition to traditional pastoral or professional premarital counseling. 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $95/couple. Call 616/455-5279 for more information.

Support Groups
December 6, 20
Clean and Sober for the Holidays
A two-week support group for persons experiencing alcohol or other drug dependence. Get support as well as tips on getting and staying alcohol and drug-free for the holidays. Time: 12 - 1 p.m. (Bring your lunch!) Location: Pine Rest Holland Clinic, 926 South Washington, Suite 210 Cost: Free of charge Facilitator: Jude Vereyken, MSW, LMSW, CAC-I. To register or for more information, interested persons should call the Holland Clinic at 616/820-3780. For more information click here.

January 7, 21
How to Support a Loved One Who Struggles with Addiction
A bi-weekly, confidential support group persons age 18 or older who have a loved one with an addiction (alcohol or other drugs). Group is designed to strengthen families while providing respectful and supportive feedback. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Pine Rest’s Southwest Clinic, 4375 Canal Street, SW in Grandville. Facilitated by Cindy Freeney, LMSW, CAC I. Cost: Free. Call 616/222-3700 or for more information click here.

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Disclaimer

Copyright © 2005, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. All rights reserved. The contents of Mental Health News & Information are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.