Write your own DNA A group program to help young people live with vitality and strength Meredith Rayner, PhD Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School Louise L. Hayes, PhD The University of Melbourne, Centre for Youth Mental Health & Orygen - The National Centre for Excellence in Youth Mental Health Joseph Ciarrochi, PhD Institute of Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University 2017 1 | Page Acknowledgements & Copyright This program uses the DNA-v model for youth development from the resource The Thriving Adolescent by Louise Hayes and Joseph Ciarrochi. Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J., (2015). The thriving adolescent: Using acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology to help teens manage emotions, achieve goals and build connection. Oakland CA; New Harbinger DNA-v is copyrighted. It cannot be used in a proprietary way without permission from the authors. This protocol can be used freely. It may not be reproduced, sold or used in a proprietary way without permission. 2 | Page SESSION OUTLINE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & COPYRIGHT ........................................................................................................... 2 ABOUT THE PROGRAM .................................................................................................................................. 4 RECOMMENDED READINGS ....................................................................................................................................... 5 SESSION 1 – WHAT’S THIS PROGRAM ABOUT ................................................................................................ 6 BEING YOURSELF ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 USING SOCIAL DNA-V TO FORM THE GROUP ................................................................................................................ 8 THE CHALLENGE OF CHOOSING .................................................................................................................................. 8 USING SOCIAL DNA-V FOR GROUP FORMATION PART 2 ............................................................................................... 11 SESSION 2 - THE NOTICER ............................................................................................................................ 13 STEP 1 - NORMALISING THE NOTICER ....................................................................................................................... 13 STEP 2 - PRACTICE AT AWARENESS, NAMING AND DESCRIBING NOTICER SENSATIONS .......................................................... 15 STEP 3 - ALLOW OR RESPOND TO NOTICER SIGNALS ..................................................................................................... 16 SESSION 3 – THE ADVISER ............................................................................................................................ 20 STEP 1 INTRODUCING THE NORMALITY OF THE ADVISOR ................................................................................................ 21 STEP 2 APPRECIATE THE HELPFULNESS OF OUR ADVISOR ............................................................................................... 22 STEP 3 GAMES TO UNHOOK FROM THE ADVISOR ......................................................................................................... 24 STEP 4 CREATE HELPFUL RULES ON THE USE OF THE ADVISOR ......................................................................................... 26 SESSION 4 - DISCOVERER ............................................................................................................................ 30 WHAT IS ADOLESCENCE FOR? .................................................................................................................................. 31 MEET YOUR DISCOVERER ........................................................................................................................................ 31 BUILDING STRENGTHS ............................................................................................................................................ 33 TRY IT, TRACK IT, BUILD IT ....................................................................................................................................... 34 DNA-V IN ACTION ................................................................................................................................................. 35 SESSION 5 - VALUES ..................................................................................................................................... 39 SMALL THINGS MATTER .......................................................................................................................................... 39 INTRODUCE VALUES .............................................................................................................................................. 40 STRENGTHS FOR VALUE IS SUCCESS ........................................................................................................................... 41 SESSION 6 – SELF-VIEW AND THE SIX WAYS OF WELLBEING ......................................................................... 46 WHO ARE YOU? ................................................................................................................................................... 46 MAKING OUR SELF ................................................................................................................................................ 48 6 WAYS TO WELLBEING ........................................................................................................................................... 49 SOCIAL DNA-V ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 CLOSURE ............................................................................................................................................................. 51 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 52 3 | Page About the program This is a group protocol that can be used for groups of adolescents in schools, community settings, or group therapy programs. The aim of this group program is to use the DNA-v program to help young people develop psychological flexibility, which is the ability to do what they care about even if they have difficult thoughts and feelings. Facilitators need a sound understanding of DNA-v, should be familiar with working with adolescents, and have experience in group facilitation. For further training and reading see www.thrivingadolescent.com. It is recommended that facilitators read the literature on DNA-v and perhaps attend either face to face or online training (see www.thrivingadolescent.com or www.louisehayes.com.au ). It also helps to be familiar with the literature and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (www.contextualpsychology.org). ©DNA-V (Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J. C) 4 | Page Recommended readings Books - Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J., (2015). The thriving adolescent: Using acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology to help teens manage emotions, achieve goals and build connection. Oakland CA; New Harbinger Ciarrochi, J. Hayes, L. & Bailey, A. (2012). Get out of your mind and into your life for teens. Oakland CA: New Harbinger. (Foreword by S. C. Hayes) DownLoads - Ciarrochi, J., Atkins, P. W. B., Hayes, L. L., Sahdra, B. K., & Parker, P. (2016). Contextual Positive Psychology: Policy Recommendations for Implementing Positive Psychology into Schools. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(1561). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01561 Available for download at - http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01561/full Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J., (2016). Tip sheets for DNA-v with kids – Learning the basics. Available for download at- http://thrivingadolescent.com/kids-resources/dna-v-basics-tip-sheets/ Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J., (2016). Tip sheets for DNA-v with kids– Social view. Available for download at- http://thrivingadolescent.com/kids-resources/dna-v-social-view-family-tip- sheets/ Hayes, L. L. & Ciarrochi, J., (2016). Tip sheets for DNA-v with kids – Self-view. Available for download at- http://thrivingadolescent.com/kids-resources/dna-v-self-view-tip-sheets/ 5 | Page Session 1 – What’s this program about Equipment • Pens • DNA-V work booklet – 1 per student • Video from Ze-Frank available on YouTube here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwNJZUZFt-U • PowerPoint slide with The Game of life (Ciarrochi, Hayes, L. & Bailey, 2012). Download here -http://thrivingadolescent.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Game-of-Life-Ciarrochi- Hayes-Bailey-2012.pdf Aim for the session – Get to know each other and program purpose The aim for session one is to get to know each other and provide the group with an understanding of what to expect over the course of the group program. Build a deeper understanding about ourselves and those around us • Know and care for ourselves and each other • Introduce DNA-v and the concept of choice • Discuss group rules, confidentiality and respect for each other • Work together with respect and compassion Throughout the program, provide some guidelines and time for the group to write in their handouts/workbooks. This is important to reinforce what they are