At first blush, “brain model” sounds a bit like an oxymoron, like jumbo shrimp or military intelligence.
But EGRMS Counselor Jessica Koziara and the Student Services team are using brain models to help give students a scientific explanation for some of the things–anxiety, for example–that they’re feeling in their own minds.
“As a Student Services team, our mission is to support students in developing and applying social-emotional skills, fostering self-awareness, and understanding their relationships with the world around them,” Koziara wrote in her applicaiton. “When working with students individually or in small groups, we often incorporate psychoeducational approaches to enhance their understanding of personal development. Adolescence is a period of significant change, and increased knowledge can empower students to thrive. Having access to these brain models will assist us in educating students about brain function, developmental changes, and strategies for self-regulation through the mind-body connection.”
Koziara continues, “A considerable portion of the Trails to Wellness curriculum we have implemented focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. This Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model serves as a valuable resource for students as they navigate various experiences, including frustration, anxiety, and self-doubt. During small group counseling sessions, we explore this CBT framework more in-depth to enhance understanding of how the brain functions during periods of anxiety. These models aim to provide students with a scientific understanding of anxiety, fostering an empowering approach to managing it.”
Thank you, Foundation donors, for giving our students these resources!
