Welcome to the Handspring Institute

School counselors and mental health professionals frequently encounter adolescents exhibiting high-risk behaviors such as self-harm, suicidality, eating disorders, OCD, school refusal, depression, and aggression. This presentation introduces a caregiver coaching model that integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Behavioral Parent Training (BPT). Attendees will learn evidence-based strategies to support caregivers, including managing school-interfering behavior, coordinating effective caregiver engagement, addressing non-engagement, and recognizing when to recommend higher levels of care.

Due to executive functioning differences, neurodivergent children often face challenges with flexibility and frustration tolerance, which can impact their social and academic growth. School-based mental health professionals play a crucial role in offering real-time support and scaffolding meaningful practice to help these students build distress tolerance skills. Grounded in the framework from 'Unstuck and On Target' and other evidence-based interventions, this presentation will provide practical strategies to help students manage big emotions and develop flexible thinking, empowering them to navigate academic and social interactions with greater confidence and resilience.

Distress Tolerance and Emotional Regulation Skills This two-part webinar series is led by Wendy Robinson-Miller, LCSW, a Clinical Supervisor at Handspring. It will include both an overview of the benefits of DBT skills and how they can be taught in the school environment, as well as provide you with concrete strategies and tools to help students manage difficult emotions and build healthy relationships.

Introduction to DBT Skills, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Effectiveness This two-part webinar series is led by Wendy Robinson-Miller, LCSW, a Clinical Supervisor at Handspring. It will include both an overview of the benefits of DBT skills and how they can be taught in the school environment, as well as provide you with concrete strategies and tools to help students manage difficult emotions and build healthy relationships.

Divorce is a significant life event that affects not only parents but also the children navigating its challenges. Over one million children face the impacts of divorce annually. Approximately 9% of children live in homes influenced by separation, often encountering emotional, psychological, physical, and financial struggles.This webinar is designed to empower counselors with the tools and strategies needed to support students living between two homes. Attendees will discover evidence-based practices that promote stability and understanding for children adjusting to life after divorce. The session will include creative activities that help students process changes, build resilience, and foster emotional well-being. Additionally, this session focuses on building lasting rapport with students and their families, encouraging a collaborative approach to support each child’s growth and success. Join us to transform periods of uncertainty into opportunities for strength and positive development.

In today's high-pressure educational environment, school mental health professionals face a critical challenge: maintaining their own well-being while supporting diverse student needs. With unprecedented levels of burnout in the field, it's crucial for these professionals to develop robust self-care strategies that enhance their capacity to serve students effectively. In this 1-hour training, we will explore practical tools to counteract burnout using Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). This session will provide participants with a foundational understanding of the emotional regulation systems that contribute to burnout and introduce evidence-based interventions that promote self-compassion and emotional resilience. Through guided practices and real-world applications, attendees will gain the skills to foster a more compassionate inner dialogue and support a collaborative culture of compassion within their schools.

Children and adolescents of all ages, genders, races, and body types may experience disordered eating, yet common misconceptions about who may be affected may make detection, diagnosis, and treatment difficult. Educators and school-based mental health professionals are uniquely positioned as possible first detectors and responders for young people experiencing disordered eating. They may be valuable allies to treatment teams, providing collaboration within the school setting to best support a student’s recovery or may find themselves as a first point of contact for students who may require further support and intervention. This webinar will provide attendees with a foundational knowledge of various eating disorders. Participants will learn common warning signs and symptoms, as well as how to appropriately screen students and facilitate referrals for additional support when needed. Additionally, attendees will gain insights into common treatment approaches for eating disorders and will learn practical interventions that may be utilized in the school setting to support students.