Strategies for Changing Behaviour

This is a book of strategies to help students to be positive about themselves and, as a result, about their learning. It is not strictly part of a series but is closely related to Strategies for Learning (by the same authors) - the approach and the expected outcomes are very similar although this volume is more about engaging students so that they can reach the point where Strategies for Learning then comes into play. It would be good if this one feels like it's in some way connected to Strategies for Learning. They will be marketed together and, who knows, we might add more to this series over time. We should at least make them look acceptable together on the page if nothing else. It is an A4 ringbinder and will have gloss lamination. The book will be marketed to behaviour managers, local authority behaviour advisers, special educational needs coordinators, teachers, teaching assistants, learning mentors, pastoral leaders, school counselors, Connexions advisers. The techniques are principally for use in one-to-one situations with disaffected young people.
They are aimed at getting to the root of the disaffection and enabling that person to see their way through to make changes to their lives that they can own and be responsible for. The book recognizes that people with problem behaviours are good at giving themselves negative messages and in this way lock themselves into a cycle of failure - it aims to help an angry person be less angry, a timid person be more assertive, a person who believes they are bound to fail face up to things and learn how to succeed. The methods are based on a practical interpretation of modern psychotherapy techniques - cognitive behaviour therapy, neuro-linguistic programming and Gestalt therapy. These therapies focus on solutions rather than causes. So key themes are: reflection and transformation; building of self-esteem; overcoming obstacles (often self-imposed); support; insight; solutions.