GUIDE: Guiding the Understanding and Identification of Difficult Emotions
GUIDE is a transdiagnostic, modular protocol geared towards the emotional learning of the caregivers of children between the ages of 8-12 years old. It is informed by research on children's emotional development and the caregiver strategies that facilitate learning to self-regulate, combined with skills from evidence-based practices. GUIDE teaches caregivers skills through an emotion-based lens while also providing structured support around how and when to use them through "showing, not telling."
Who participates in GUIDE?
Because caregivers are a key aspect of their child's emotional and regulatory learning, GUIDE is initially geared towards caregivers learning about their own and their child's emotions, emotional history, and strategies to effectively manage emotions and behaviors in the moment.
Does my child participate in GUIDE?
As a protocol intended to be easily individualized, there may be some families who are able to see change and progress based upon caregiver involvement alone. HOWEVER, seeing the caregiver(s) and child interact with one another and discuss an emotionally relevant situation will provide further details around how emotions and skills are discussed and used at home, with the possibility of live-coaching from the provider. Skills introduced to both child and caregivers can help facilitate the learning and understanding of how and when to use the skills and the unique difficulties that may arise within the family system. It can also support the idea that treatment is about the family working as a team rather than just one member being responsible.
What is the structure of GUIDE?
In GUIDE, providers and caregivers/families meet weekly. There are 4 primary modules to GUIDE focused on 1) Emotional Mindfulness; 2) Emotional Identification; 3) Experiencing Emotions; and 4) Emotion Guiding. Within these modules, caregivers learn how to differentiate your own emotions from your child's, to parent in a values-consistent way, learn about what your child's behaviors say about their emotional experience, how to address co-occurring behaviors with emotions, and how to model effective emotion regulation in the moment while supporting your child in building a tolerance for unpleasant or difficult emotions.
How does GUIDE differ from other treatments?
GUIDE works with caregivers and families to identify and learn about their own and their child's emotions. This helps build compassion and space when big, difficult emotions and arise. It includes research-informed guidance and unique skills to increase awareness of how development affects the learning and experience of emotions from 8-12 years old. It is intended to be individualized and be flexible based upon each family and child's needs. GUIDE's objectives include: 1) Teaching caregivers about their own emotions and emotional history; 2) Learning about their child's emotions and emotional history; 3) Helping caregivers to understand the function of emotions and why they are helpful; 4) Supporting caregivers in engaging in values-based skills to support emotional development, regulation, and expression; 5) Identifying how emotions can be opportunities for warmth, connection, and learning within family and individual values.
