Beneath every behavior there is a feeling. And beneath each feeling is a need. And when we meet that need rather than focus on the behavior, we begin to deal with the cause, not the symptom.
-Ashleigh Warner

Have you ever thought that part of your job is to be a detective? One of the greatest reminders I have had over the last several months is that youth are trying to tell us something through their behaviors. The challenge is that sometimes the behavior has nothing to do with the feeling that the youth is trying to express or the need that the youth is trying to get met. For example, a youth may be expressing anger, when in reality she is sad. Sometimes when we sit down with the youth they can tell us what they are feeling or need, but sometimes they themselves aren’t sure what they are feeling or needing. As you work with the youth, do a little detective work and see if you can find the need and feelings behind the behavior.
Thank you for all your awesome work.