Over the past few days, I’ve been in “group training” at my new job learning how to “circle up” with the “Missouri Model”. It has brought back a lot of memories and brought up a lot of thoughts that I’d like to share. Over the years, I have experienced several schools of psychological “thought”. Initially, I was trained from a psycho-dynamic perspective. Then I learned Minuchin’s theory and techniques and group and family therapy interventions. Over the years, the trend moved toward “behavior” therapy and the clients I worked with were very resistant, and, I must say, I was too. They felt that behavior therapy was the “middle class white society attempting to force their values on those who lived in the hood”.  Working with “those who lived in the hood” at the time, I have to say that I honestly agreed with them. So, I really wasn’t a fan of behavioral therapy. Then I got a job at Rikers, and, after several months, I was lucky to become the clinician on the “exclusive” CAPS program. The clinician’s role in the CAPS program was flexible based on the need of the the patients and after assessing the needs, I personally felt that DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) was a good method of intervention at that time. I taught the residents DBT and several were able to utilize it well. I am presently engaged in intensive training for my new job and the primary intervention that we are learning in the “Missouri Model” is circling up. Which brings back memories for me of 8th grade and Mr. McClaren’s class. Mr. McClaren recognized that I was quiet and that didn’t participate in class discussions. He realized that this might be a handicap for me in high school. On open school night, he spoke with my parents about this and they were defensive. But Mr.                McClaren didn’t give up. Instead, he “circled up” and during that “circle up”  he indicated that he needed someone to run the spotlight for an upcoming show and I was chosen to man the spotlight. What Mr McLaren did was recognize my need and offer a way to deal with that need.

I have to thank Mr. McClaren for believing in me and encouraging me. The same is true,, I’ve learned, with the Missouri model and I feel really proud being part of a program that focuses on what someone can truly be!