Ruth Hargrave’s Success Story …

A bit of backstory … 

I am a trainer/facilitator for educators, students, parents and caregivers. I am presently and entrepreneur with my business Summit Consulting where I provide workshops on Restitution and Control Theory, as well as Youth Leadership. I have taught students from Kindergarten right through grade 9, specializing in the English language, guidance counselling and behavior intervention with the Louis Riel School Division. I am also presently consulting and mentoring in several schools within the St. James-Assiniboia School Division by supporting the implementation of Restitution in the classrooms and presenting role playing in school assemblies to create further awareness.

I truly enjoy educating teachers, parents and students in schools throughout the province of Manitoba.

I have had the pleasure of being the president and professional development chair of the Manitoba School Guidance Counsellors (MSCA). And am constantly on the go giving workshops and presentations to numerous school staff members and parent groups throughout Manitoba, British Columbia, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, the United States, Europe and Asia.

I have (and still am) teaching courses in all those locations (whenever life allows for travel time) on Restitution and Control Theory, Developmental Therapy/Teaching (DTT) and provided training for Group Theraplay – Taking Care of Each Other (TCEO) and student leadership training.

In my many years as a Guidance Counsellor, I discovered the philosophy and concepts of Restitution/Control Theory and DTT which were instrumental in facilitating successful learning and problem solving for many challenging situations. I use a form called Theraplay as an intervention program to support and guide parents and teachers whose children are struggling to succeed in the school systems.

Theraply is a lively, engaging, playful treatment method that produces remarkable changes in the lives of children and families by strengthening the parent-child relationship. The Theraplay therapist aides the parent and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child’s behaviour and communicate love, joy and safety to the child. It helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected and worthy.

Theraplay involves parents or caregivers actively in sessions with their children in order to create or fine-tune the parent-child relationship. It focuses on strengthening four main components of the parent-child relationship:

• Structure: setting limits for children so they can enjoy physical and emotional security.
• Engagement: excitement, stimulation, and surprise to maintain a child’s alertness and interest.
• Nurture: warm, soothing and comforting ways of caring for children.
• Challenge: encourage the child to learn new skills, to take some age-appropriate risks, and to experience success and increase self-confidence.

Through these workshops, individuals learn how to teach students to become more self-reliant, responsible and intrinsically motivated leaders. I feel my workshops are enjoyable and meaningful and include many interactive and personalizing opportunities for the participants. However, the Control Theory and Mindful Leadership teachings are specifically for students, teachers, educational assistants and parents, and would benefit truly anyone else who wants to have some life altering insights for themselves and their families and colleagues.

I am currently working on a plan to extend these types of training opportunities to the leadership level of businesses as well as for individuals looking to increase their level of personal empowerment.