1. What it is and what it isn’t.
Our Pastoral Solutions is essentially a consultancy service THAT INCLUDES PRACTICAL SUPPORT, for those who provide care, life skills and therapeutic education.
It may be accessed through workshops, wellbeing experiences, or from direct practical intervention from our principle – Marcus Pearson.
It is mainly for pupils who struggle to engage with normal mindfulness and relaxation interventions. It is for those pupils who can’t learn and for those who won’t learn or disrupt the class. Every pupil, environment and circumstance is different – our solution is flexible and enables us to help children heal from their individual experiences of living with trauma, pain, and loss. Our approach is underpinned by:
- Polyvagal Theory and
- The Neurosequential Model of Education.
#1. Using practical applications of Polyvagal theory it seeks to nurture your learning and practical skills to engage the PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System) to improve social engagement. It also uses insights from the SPIM (Somatic Psychological Interactive Model) – in that it distinguishes 7 stages of trauma severity, and cross references this with 3 levels of intensity. This can be useful in identifying the most suitable strategy for each individual – IT IS UNLIKELY YOUR EXISTING STAFF UNDERTAKE THIS – AND IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
#2. The Neurosequential Model is not a specific therapeutic technique or intervention; it is a way to organize a child’s history and current functioning. The goal of this approach is to structure assessment of a child, the articulation of the primary problems, identification of key strengths and the application of interventions (educational, enrichment and therapeutic) in a way that will help family, educators, therapists and related professionals best meet the needs of the child. Imagine a person being available to harmonise all these crucial aspects, that doesn’t take away from the existing duties of already stresses and busy staff.
Our approach is complimentary to AHCT Therapy (Assessment and Healing of Complex Trauma) – as used within certain educational establishments – our short video clarifies this:
Our Pastoral Solutions (consultancy service) provides an effective ‘measurement & time based resolution approach’ that provides a positive experience for re-engaging with students who may have social, emotional or mental health (SEMH) needs, or have experienced trauma; and may now be suffering from poor quality sleep; a lack of emotional control and poor memory or learning faculties as well as a low immune system – PLUS THEY MAY ALSO SUFFER FROM:
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Our provision provides personalised and creative learning opportunities based on feelings of safety, trust, relaxation and positivity (avoiding that which triggers negativity). We seek to improve social interaction through a combination of ‘activity / touch therapy’ (physical and thoughtful play & creativity), and incorporate music, guided drawing, gentle discussion and ‘PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field*0) Therapy Devices’ and ‘gaming technology’ (HRV Neurofeedback Games*1). We introduce and constantly develop ‘SCP’ (Scheduled Cycles of Positivity) that induce / entrain positive changes in sub-conscious behaviour.
With our ‘SCP’ we plan a “Scheduled Cycle of Positivity”; this is unique and subject to the individual being supported. It evolves by enabling the student(s) time to experience being themselves without any thought, discussion, emotional attachment, or learning requirement disrupting the moment – this purposefully avoids conscious negativity (including triggers, thoughts & memories). We can vary the time with each student from 1 hour to 6 hours per day, the key aspect is having them for 9-12 weeks.
- It purposefully avoids ‘talk therapy /CBT’, and purely focuses on being in the now and being relaxed.
- It delays any mindfulness and meditation, which may be extremely negative when approached at the wrong time – as in when someone is still negative (CBT may trigger negative emotions and thoughts).
It ultimatley involves using the SSP*2 with guided art; and works very well alongside HRV; before progressing to a variety of focused breathing techniques and the use of visual and audio affirmations and natural cycles to create a rhythm for more ‘focused work-reward’ experiences. It then progresses into gentle, positive social interaction, creativity and resilience (and starts to mirror the classwork of mainstream lessons) and/or uses a more creative curriculum that better nurtures enthusiasm, interest and purpose.
After a period of 9 – 12 weeks we progress to The Neurosequential Model, when it is hoped the student is better developed to learn and better placed to self-articulate solutions and approaches to aid self development and learning.
Reminder – If you are interested in our support services, it may be accessed through workshops, wellbeing experiences, or from direct practical intervention from our staff.
Additional Energy / Therapy Modalities:
We may also use modalities such as EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique – “Tapping”) – and this may be used with or as an alternative to PEMF or after SSP.
Be Super have access to a wide range of qualified and experienced energy therapists. Many of these modalities may also be used at a distance. With training and in some cases, simple guidance, the benefits of these therapeutic modalities, may also be used by staff (teachers, carers and support staff)
For those who are not ready for SSP:
*0 – ‘PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field*0) Therapy Devices’ are used extensively due to their ease and flexibility. We have experienced many individuals who cannot self-regulate in a timely and appropriate manner. PEMF devices (especially the NeoRhythm) entrains the brainwave frequencies to be more relaxed. They support and guide an individual into a calm and relaxed state by pulsing the appropriate electromagnetic frequency through the brain. These devices may be worn during active sessions or before a work based or lesson based environment. Click here for more details.
2. What is the measurement criteria and why?
*1 – HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is used as a measurement criteria to establish a base level for ‘stress / positivity’ – (more specifically ‘coherence’). Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the ways you can measure your vagal tone and can be a great indicator of overall health (mental and physical) and indicates an ability to heal (emotionally and physically). It is an objective measurement based on the bodies truthful response to what is going on ‘in and around’ a person.
The HRV Neurofeedback Games provide a self-learning experience for the student to better regulate anxiety and improve calmness, mental clarity, positivity and creativity. This will manifest itself with improved social interaction and a greater willingness and ability to learn. This positivity will also be mirrored by an increase in HRV (providing ongoing evaluation criteria to support soft outcomes).
The PEMF and HRV better prepares people for SSP –
*2 – SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) using the Unyte/iLs App involves 30min scheduled headphone listening to ‘acoustically altered sounds’ that positively stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System of the Vagal Nerve (inducing your sub-consciousness to be relaxed, creative and positive). The SSP is a portal to the Social Engagement System, and it has a powerful impact on how someone interacts with other people and their environment. Resulting new behaviours reflect an increased sense of safety in the world, yet ‘they are fragile and can be disrupted if not recognized and responded to in a positive manner’ – hence, SSP, should only be overseen by a qualified practitioner.
Essentially, the SSP is opening the system for greater engagement. The aspect of ‘SAFETY’ must come before the SOUND experience takes place. What comes with and after the SSP will then cement and extend the gains. Our solution is UNIQUE in providing additional complimentary physical activity that increases HRV, and journeys someone further down the ‘newly opened positive pathway’. It is the repeated and consistent responses from the people in contact with the ‘focused person’ that will enhance (or hinder) their new sense of safety and reinforce the new behaviour.
Subsequently, it is essential the SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) and supporting activities are directed and delivered by a qualified SSP therapist or a suitably trained guide (we can provide training courses). A specific parental / carer / support pack is provided as part of the preparatory phase of this experience.
School : Home Mirror Affect Ratio:
In most instances the full benefits of this Intervention / Pastoral Solution are only maximised and become long lasting when they are duplicated at home as well as in the learning environment. This is even more relevant during Covid -19 restrictions, home learning and reduced social interactions. Subsequently, our Provision provides pastoral support opportunities for the parents / carers to also experience the HRV Neurofeedback Games, and to experience the acoustically altered music used in the SSP experience. Furthermore, support and guidance are provided to try and ensure that the home environment is as safe, trusting, relaxed and AWARE as possible.
3. How long does it take to affect long lasting positive behavioural change?
Our Pastoral Solution normally takes 9 – 12 weeks to affect positive behavioural change (return someone to a mainstream class). When fully supported (at school and at home); it is so effective that some individuals have been able to reduce their medication or in some circumstances completely stop the use of medication after the experience. The graphics below gives a more vivid explanation of what is provided and how it works.
Before studying the graphics it is important to recognise what our Alternative Education Provision is not –
Our Pastoral Support IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE CAUSE OF TRAUMA – There is a time and place for this – and it is NOT NOW. This is the time to provide a positive starting pathway that better prepares someone to ‘clear deep rooted trauma’ for a later clearing stage (it is counter productive to expose vulnerability until someone is strong enough to overcome it).
Please take your time to study the following graphics – a picture often paints many words . . .
The graphic above shows the progressive approach (the arrow signifies “TIME”) and explains what takes place
The graphics below represents the relaxed manner in which physical / mental togetherness achieves the tuning that is necessary to apply the HRV sessions.
After ‘the tuning’ has taken place using physical activities, play and creativity, then the benefits of PEMF and HRV technology and SSP (Sound Therapy) lead to activation of the happy hormones (the Parasympathetic Nervous System) and this leads to a greater willingness and ability to listen and learn and to socialise better. This is then re-enforced with visual and audio affirmations and a scheduled cycle of positivity (SCP).
Pastoral Support is often overlooked for professionals and those who appear stable:
Professionals such as Doctors and Nurses, Health and Sport Therapists and Practitioners, Teachers / Educators, Police Officers and business owners and managers / team leders – plus many people who simply strive to do their best with honesty and integrity – they all have moments (for some weeks and for some years) when doubt, anxiety, stress and a lack of ‘deeper’ purpose impacts negatively on them and on those around them (including the children of busy and ‘well to do’ parents/carers).
Thank you for reading or listening to this,
Marcus, Sharon, and Morgan Pearson.
To find out more visit our Home Page, or to ask any questions or arrange a meeting:
- Ring Marcus on 07931 326 164
- Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn
- Or simply enter your email address below to register as a FREE PROVISIONAL VFP Member – we will then be in contact.
