South African Psychiatry - November 2018

REPORT
GOLDILOCKS & THE BEAR
FOUNDATION CBT WORKSHOP
On the 13 th and 14 th September, the Goldilocks and The Bear Foundation hosted
a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for treating children with ADHD workshop at the
Evertsdal Guest House, Durbanville.
This two-day training event, led by Professor
Susan Young, introduced staff and volunteers
of the Goldilocks and The Bear Foundation, as
well as some other healthcare professionals
and educators, to an individual and group
intervention program for children with ADHD and
associated problems.
Day 1 drew on the Skilled Thinking And Reasoning
(STAR) programme, which is a cognitive behavioural
group intervention delivered to children that includes
individual coaching sessions for use with families.
Using the metaphor of a detective to understand
personal emotions, children learn skills of selfregulation,
concentration and problem solving. It
is based on policing skills techniques used by New
Scotland Yard which promote problem-solving
procedures of Scanning the environment, Analysing
information, Responding in an appropriate way
and Assessing the outcome (SARA). The technique
has been adapted for use by children in a fun and
imaginative way and draws on the appeal of them
developing real life detective skills.
During day 2, the Young-Smith program for Helping
Children with ADHD, was introduced to the attendees.
This program provides a complete intervention
strategy for healthcare professionals and parents,
allowing them to flexibly deliver individual behavioural
and cognitive interventions to children with ADHD
and associated problems. The focus throughout is on
practical techniques to address symptoms, problem
behaviours and emotional difficulties.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE ENGAGEMENT
OF YOUNG PEOPLE, CORE CONCEPTS
ARE PRESENTED IN AN INNOVATIVE WAY
THROUGH THE EYES OF BUZZ, A YOUNG
BOY. THE VARIED ADVENTURES OF BUZZ
PROVIDE THE INTERVENTION WITH A
STRUCTURAL NARRATIVE, WHILE ALSO
TEACHING CHILDREN SKILLS THAT THEY
CAN SUBSEQUENTLY APPLY THEMSELVES
IN KEY AREAS SUCH AS KEEPING CALM,
PLANNING, MANAGING IMPULSIVITY
AND DEALING WITH ANXIETY.
It was a fun-filled and inspirational two days, which
left all energized for the work being done in the
Foundation, and in their own private practices or
schools
From Left to right:
Front: Sarah Jervis, Cornelia
Vermeulen, Susan Young,
Renata Schoeman, Jena
Enbright
Middle: Sanet Schoeman,
Lorinda Botha, Elna Otter, Ray
Anne Cook
Back: Linda Schoeman,
Xandria Louw, Hanlie Snyman,
Kayleigh Hansen, Nicolet
Bedeker, Nic de Beer, Marike
Badenhorst, Marinda Brink
SOUTH AFRICAN PSYCHIATRY ISSUE 17 2018 * 69