The Nurtured Heart Approach®

Join us this month as we give you a glimpse into the transformation of the Nurtured Heart Approach®.   The approach was developed by Howard Glasser to help parents “deal” with challenging, difficult, and frankly frustrating behavior from their child. But it has evolved over 25 plus years ago into the honed approach it is today, consisting of 3 Stands; Absolutely No, Absolutely Yes, and Absolutely Clear. Listen in as our host, Stephanie Rule, and co-host for this podcast, Matt Steinborn, dive into each of the stands and paint a picture of how the approach can bring transformation to your life as a parent, educator, and mental health professional. Music: Sunny - Bensound.com    

Life becomes infinitely more scary when a diagnosis of cancer happens. Scarier for the person receiving the diagnosis, but also the loved ones of that person. Our host, Stephanie Rule, interviews Julie Mears about her experience navigating a cancer diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and the impact the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) had on her journey to recovery. Stephanie shares her perspective as a loved one walking through a similar process and how NHA took part in supporting herself, her family, and her mother. Full biography for Julie here. Music: Sunny - Bensound.com

Stephanie Rule, host of the Nurtured Heart Approach® podcasts, interviews Certified/Advanced Trainers in the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) about their lives before NHA was in it and how they’ve come to realize the gift of NHA. Debbie Sands, an advocate for families and people with disabilities, discusses how the NHA opened her eyes to a new world of positivity. This new world of positivity shifted her professional life into altering how she interacted with young people in a society where celebrating what is going wrong is the norm. Eulanda Thorne, a school counselor, talks about her journey from being on the verge of resigning as a classroom teacher to finding the NHA and transforming her life. Giving her the tools to change the trajectory of her life path. Julie Steinberg, a cantor and trained social worker, discusses how NHA transformed her family and gave her the skills to navigate her daughter’s intense behaviors. Julie beautifully describes the dance between the 3 Stands™ and how she scaffolded the support and love for her daughter. For full biographies for Debbie, Eulanda, and Julie click here. Music: Sunny - Bensound.com

Listen as this discussion centered around using the Nurtured Heart Approach® during the holiday reveals how it can be a life force in navigating unhealthy relationships and setting clear boundaries for children and family members. Host, Stephanie Rule, leads our brilliant guests, Jennifer Lotery and Mary Black, in a conversation about utilizing NHA as an adult and keeping you and your children emotionally healthy during the holidays. Jennifer provides an excellent perspective as a clinical psychologist with her experience counseling adults and children. She discusses navigating challenging relationships with adult family members and taking care of yourself during the high emotional stress of the holiday season. Mary brings a unique perspective as a mother of intense children (her biological, adoptive, and foster children). She discusses different ways to honor and protect her intense children during family traditions, while resetting unrealistic self-set expectations of what the gathering(s) should look like. Click here for full biographies for Jennifer and Mary. Music: Sunny - Bensound.com

Join the host of the Children’s Success Foundation, Stephanie Rule, as she leads a discussion on the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) in the Preschool Setting! Our guests, Nancy Gomez and Kellie Knodel discuss how they implement NHA in their classrooms and how they use the NHA professionally to propel greatness as a teacher. Kellie has a Psychology degree and worked with high school students as a youth minister for 2 years before moving to preschool. Kellie started teaching at St. John Christian Preschool in and completed a Child Development Associate Degree. Kellie is currently in her 9th year of teaching preschool. She took her first NHA class in 2012 and started using the approach at work and at home with her daughter Lillie. Kellie became a Certified Trainer at the Fargo CTI in July of 2016. Since then, she has been teaching classes to parents and educators in Fargo, ND. Kellie lives with her husband and 3 children, ages 7, 4, and 1. Nancy is an Advanced Trainer in the NHA. She attended her first CTI in Jan. of 2012, and the second in Jan. of 2015, both in Tucson. Her initial drive to learn NHA were her three daughters Deeana 15, Madi 12, and Leeah 7. She soon realized NHA worked in her career as well. Nancy has 22 years of experience in Early Childhood Education between YDI Head Start and Kirtland Air Force Base. She has an AA in Early Childhood Multi-cultural Education and an AA in Child, Youth, and Family Development. She is currently working on a BA in Education Studies at Grand Canyon University. “The NHA has changed my life and I continue to use it daily personally, professionally, and most importantly with myself. I’m not perfect, but now I am aware, and I know how to reset myself back to greatness.” Music: Sunny - Bensound.com

Join the host of The Children’s Success Foundation, Stephanie Rule, as she leads a discussion on the Nurtured Heart Approach®(NHA) in the Juvenile Justice System (JJS). Our guests, Harvey Uken and Toni Rose, bring a refreshing NHA perspective to working with youth in JJS, and the prevention of youth entering the system. Listen as the conversation unfolds and these dynamic Certified NHA Advanced Trainers share their experiences about building the Inner Wealth™ of the youth in the Juvenile Justice System. Toni Rose, BS, is a Certified Nurtured Heart Approach® Advanced Trainer as well as a Wraparound Facilitator at Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare.  She has provided over 100 NHA trainings to parents, caregivers, volunteers and clinicians from all over the state of Indiana. She has 18 years of experience collaborating with Department of Child Services, Juvenile Justice, CASA and Head Start. She has also worked directly with mental health agencies, psychiatric hospitals and educators. Her passion is supporting children and families to build successful relationships not only in their homes but in their communities as well. Harvey Uken has been working as a Youth Counselor at the Red River Valley Juvenile Center (16 bed facility for 10-18) in Crookston, MN for the past 14 years.  He was the Family Week Coordinator and Clinical Supervisor for eight of those years. These experiences with intense people in intense situations led Harvey to see the Nurtured Heart Approach as the way to help the children he serves towards heart-felt transformation when he was introduced to NHA in 2013. Harvey is looking forward to full retirement to begin employing the Nurtured Heart Approach in Northern MN and ND to help people recognize the greatnesses in themselves and others.

We are excited to have our guests from May join us again to share the amazing journey of parenting teens and young adults with our guests, Catherine Stafford and Alastair Gardiner in this month's podcast.  Stephanie Rule is our host. Catherine is a mom of 4, a therapist in private practice, a Certified NHA Advanced Trainer and well known chldren's book author.  (Full bio here ) Alastair is dad to 3 boys.  He is an international speaker and presenter, a Certified NHA Advanced Trainer.  He works with intense children around the world and consults with foster care givers around the globe.  (Full bio here)  

We are excited to share the amazing journey of parenting teens through the high school years with our guests, Catherine Stafford and Alastair Gardiner in our May podcast.  Stephanie Rule is our host. Catherine is a mom of 4, a therapist in private practice, a Certified NHA Advanced Trainer and well known chldren's book author.  (Full bio here ) Alastair is dad to 3 boys.  He is an international speaker and presenter, a Certified NHA Advanced Trainer.  He works with intense children around the world and consults with foster care givers around the globe.  (Full bio here)

Eulanda Thorne Eulanda, a Certified Advanced NH Trainer, is a unique individual who lives her life daily to make a positive impact in the lives of others. She has been a guest speaker for the NH Global Summit and her work with NH has been featured during several trainings and presentations. Eulanda is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Her motto in life is a quote from Maya Angelou; I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” For this reason, she lives her life showering others with love. Eulanda lives in Wilson, North Carolina where she is a devoted school teacher and single mother of four beautiful children.   Theresa Gaylean Theresa is a Certified Advanced NHA trainer who has witnessed the transformative power of the approach as an educator in a community day classroom serving K-8th grades (5 years) and currently in a second grade classroom. The approach has also gifted her with powerful relationship with her husband of 25 years, and as the mother of three children 17, 14, and 7.

Tanya Fraizer Tanya Fraizer is a dynamic individual with a passion to help others find joy and peace in their personal and professional lives. Tanya is a graduate of Concordia College – Moorhead with a degree in Elementary Education. She has worked extensively with families, with experience in both in-home and agency-based parent education. Tanya is a Nurtured Heart Approach Advanced Trainer and the owner of Heart To Heart Consulting, through which she provides coaching, classes, trainings and speaking engagements on NHA.  Her prowess for leadership with clarity and compassion is a joy for all the NHA Trainers she is so personally dedicated to serve.  Tanya lives in Fargo, ND with her husband and daughter. Mark Pfaff Mark, Certified Advanced NHA trainer. In Public Education 10 years serving Special Education grades Preschool, K - 8, Adult Post-Secondary, Mild/ Moderate/ Severe students. Was a Middle school Assistant Principal and now serving as a county SELPA administrator and Program specialist. Co-parent of three children ages 15, 8, 5 in Chico, CA.  Nick Bartlett Nick Bartlett has been a School Psychologist since 2010. His experience is diverse, having served students from preschool to post-secondary, from all disability areas. He became a Nurtured Heart Approach © advanced trainer in 2016. Nick has trained hundreds of parents and educators in The Nurtured Heart Approach and utilizes the powerful methodology with students he counsels as well as his own children who are 7 and 4 years old. He is a firm believer in the transformative power of the approach and truly enjoys seeing children light up when children begin to become of aware of and own their greatness. 

Jana Bruhschwein Jana, a Certified Advanced NHA Trainer, has been an educator for over 25 years.  She was an elementary teacher, a Head Start Program Director and is currently the director of St. John Christian Preschool where kids aren’t tolerated, they are celebrated.  Jana lives in Horace ND with her husband and three children ages 17, 16, and 10. Leah Marcus Leah studied Studio Art, Art Therapy, and Counseling, and worked in community mental health in Ohio for 3 years before moving to Michigan to start a family. She experienced a tremendous paradigm shift upon learning about the Nurtured Heart Approach in late 2011. With the help of two CTIs (Syracuse 2012 and Norwich, UK 2013) and the 2013 Global Summit, the NHA infused her work as a therapist, her marriage, and her mothering with new meaning and vitality. In fact, she was pregnant with her now 3 year old son Avery during the Summit and the UK CTI, so her parenting was already Nurtured-Heart focused before it even began! She’s spent most of her time in the past few years as a primary daytime parent to Avery. Licensed as a counselor in both Ohio and Michigan, Leah recently became involved with the Washtenaw County Parent Coalition, committed to building resilience and connections among local families and area resources.  

Josh Kuersten  has over 20 years experience in special education as an aide, teacher and behaviorist.  He says, "I have over 10,000 hours of focused experience specifically in the area of behavior, working with students, professionals, and my greatest teachers, my own children, teaching and maintaining pro-social behavior."  He has been actively engaged in learning, using and training the Nurtured Heart Approach® for more then 5 years.  At present, he works as a behaviorist in over 40 schools, working with all kids pre-K through age 22.  He provides in home consulting on a small scale, working with families to implement NHA strategies in creative ways to achieve an environment that breeds success and celebrates the greatness in each family member.

Samantha Pierce Initially trained as a plant scientist Samantha Pierce's experiences as a mother inspired her to focus on autism, parenting, and education. She has worked with young adults with mental health issues and children with behavior challenges. Samantha weaves NHA into her work on autism, education advocacy, and parenting. She provides community training in to help transform the experiences of families and educators. Samantha lives in Syracuse, NY with her husband and five children affectionately known as The Horde. Anca Niculae Anca Niculae is a licensed marriage and family therapist in magnificent Fort Collins, Colorado. Her previous work experience includes working as a Head Start teacher and case worker, as well as a medical liaison in a residential treatment center with children 7-16 years of age.  After receiving her graduate degree, she worked at the local community mental health center, first as a therapist in a behavioral modification program (using dirt bike riding time as a reward!) for children ages 10-18, and then as an addictions counselor for adults with co-occurring chronic mental health and addictions. She has also worked as part of a holistic treatment center, alongside experts in various fields, working together to support individuals and families from a multi disciplinary perspective.  She is currently working in private practice, utilizing The Nurtured Heart Approach, Brainspotting, EMDR and mindfulness techniques in order to continue to provide a compassionate and supportive environment for all of her clients.  Her daily intention is to fully experience and express gratitude.  

Howard Glasser and Stephanie Rule are our hosts for this timely conversation regarding transitioning youth and the homeless and how NHA can be life changing for these individuals. Join us as trainers, Quinn Donnay, Sarah Schutt and Nicole Semmens share their experiences with this segment of population. Quinn, is a Transitional Living Program Manager at New Day Youth & Family Services,  a non-profit agency that aids young people ages 17-22 that are experiencing homelessness, have a lack of supports, and minimal protective factors in Albuquerque, NM. Quinn utilizes NHA in her supervision with staff as well as with the young people in care. Quinn pairs NHA with young people experiencing homelessness to relentlessly build inner wealth so that they are able to recognize their greatness and strengths to move forward onto a rich path of independence.    Sarah, is first and foremost an involved and dedicated mother to 2 sensitive, caring, and vibrant children.  she currently works as the Homeless Management Information System Administrator for the Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York, which acts as HUD Continuum of Care for Oswego, Cayuga, and Onondaga Counties.  She was a Case Management Supervisor of Runaway and Homeless Youth Case Management Services, which served youth 16-24 who were homeless or housing vulnerable in Onondaga County.    Nicole,  has been an NHA Advanced Trainer since 2011.  She is a mother of two incredibly joyous children and a former program director of 12 years working with transition-age homeless youth.  She is currently working as the Event Assistant for Children’s Success Foundation in addition to working as an NHA Coach/Trainer passionately spreading the Nurtured Heart Approach to parents, teachers, and mental health professionals.

Howard Glasser, Creator of the Nurtured Heart Approach and Stephanie Rule, Certified Advanced Trainer share our time together this month with Heather Meyer and Toni Rose, Certified Advanced Trainers in this live podcast.  Toni Rose,BS, is a Certified Nurtured Heart Approach Advanced Trainer as well as a Wraparound Facilitator at Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare.  She has provided over 85 NHA trainings to parents, caregivers, volunteers and clinicians from all over the state of Indiana. She has 17 years of experience collaborating with Department of Child Services, Juvenile Justice, CASA and Head Start. She has also worked directly with mental health agencies, psychiatric hospitals and educators. Her passion is supporting children and families to build successful relationships not only in their homes but in their communities as well. Heather Meyer, owner of Dynamic Wisdom, LLC,  is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Nurtured Heart Approach Trainer specializing in counseling and consulting services for individuals, families, and organizations in Indianapolis, Indiana. Heather has held a steadfast commitment to sparking a desire for change and blazing a trail of transformation for individuals experiencing significant behavioral and life challenges since 1993. Heather presents at conferences, company-wide workshops and to general audiences speaking on the topics of the Nurtured Heart Approach®, Functional Behavioral Assessments, and Positive Behavioral Support Plans. Heather's most recent work is creating individualized transformational practices with her clients born out her experimentation with using the NHA® to positively transform her experience with chronic health and pain challenges.