Janet Courtney – Touch and Boundary Setting in Child Counseling & Classrooms: Interventions to Manage Challenging and Ethical Dilemmas

Outline

Breaking down the Touch Controversy

• Why the problem with touch & children?
• Touch with children vs adults
• “No touch” policies—More harm than good?
• Touch and your code of ethics
• Male vs female practitioner liability
• Examining the “slippery slope” argument
• Current research

Neurobiology of Touch

• Oxytocin—the “calming & connectivity” hormone
• Cortisol & hurtful or stressful touch
• Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
• C-tactile fibers—Emotional touch
• Sensory mirror neurons – develop empathy and interconnectivity
• Psychoeducation

Assessing Mediating Factors of Touch

• Types of touch: child initiated, practitioner initiated, task-oriented, referential…
• Child’s age, gender, diagnosis
• Theoretical approach
• Cultural, religion, and more…

Case Examples/Ethical Dilemmas – Respond, Intervene & Set Safe Boundaries in Clinics/Classrooms

• Recommendations for working with physically & sexually abused children—attunement/ proximity/cues
• Alternatives to physical restraint – interventions for physically aggressive kids/teens
• Skills for working with children diagnosed with autism, reactive attachment disorder, ADHD (attunement/proximity/cues)
• Child Restraint—informed consent sample
• Managing inappropriate touching by the child
• Developmental differences: infants, children, teens

Play Therapy & Assessments – Touch as an Intervention

• Developmental play therapy—touch and attachment disorders
• DIR/floortime and children with autism
• FirstPlay®–facilitating corrective (and preventive) experiences of touch between infants and parents
• Touch in animal assisted therapy
• Peer-to-peer massage in schools
• Touch in groups: dance & movement/bereavement/play therapy
• Case Examples

Lab Experiential—Growing Professional Self-Awareness

• Knowing your own proximity space boundaries & comfort
• Side hugs & acceptable touch alternatives
• Practice setting appropriate boundaries with children
• Professional touch survey small group discussion
• Practice boundary setting interventions—through mock demonstrations

Become a “Touch Educator” with Creative Play-Based Interventions

• “Captain May I”
• ‘Red Light, Green Light’
• Hula hoop Personal Space
• “My No Touch Square!” chant activity
• Creating safe boundaries in the sandtray & clay
• Case study examples to apply to practice

Growing Ethical Competency in Touch

• Aristotle’s “Practical Wisdom”
• 5 core competencies in touch
• Clinical & ethical touch guidelines
• Liability risk management— informed consent