The Nurtured Heart Approach
What Is The Nurtured Heart Approach?
According to the Children’s Success Foundation website, the Nurtured Heart Approach® (NHA) consists of a set of strategies that helps children of all ages in further developing their self-regulation. Anyone who cares for a child with challenging behaviors understands that traditional methods of discipline often fall short and may actually fuel the fire of challenging behavior. As a relationship-based philosophy, NHA® can be a successful, early intervention technique with the potential to transform even the most difficult child to “act out their greatness, rather than seeking connection through chaotic behavior.”
The Nurtured Heart Approach® has been shown to create transformative changes in children diagnosed with ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder and other behavioral, emotional and anxiety related symptoms, often without the need for long-term mental health treatment. Even children experiencing social cognitive challenges, like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger Syndrome greatly benefit from NHA®, reducing the need for traditional mental health and medical interventions.
Originally created by Howard Glasser in 1992, NHA® supports children to use their intensity in successful ways and build a positive portfolio of themselves, which Glasser calls "Inner Wealth™.” Traditional approaches often fall short of promoting the “Inner Wealth™” essential for children to build successful relationships. But through NHA®, children come to understand that they will receive praise, energy, recognition, and reward through the positive behavior they display, helping them achieve new emotional portfolios of confidence and competency.
How Does NHA® Work?
The Approach is based on the core methodology Glasser calls “The 3 Stands™.” By consistently following these three guidelines, caregivers can help usher a child’s intense behavior from negative to positive.
- Stand One: Absolutely No!?The caregiver refuses to energize or acknowledge negative behavior.
- Stand Two: Absolutely Yes!?The caregiver relentlessly energizes and praises positive behavior.
- Stand Three: Absolutely Clear!?The caregiver maintains total clarity about rules that demonstrate fair and consistent boundaries.
Howard Glasser offers a free e-course for those interested in learning more about the Approach and how to implement “The 3 Stands™.
Dr. Millar is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach. Over the past 10 years Dr. Millar has served as a therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Program Manager of school and community based programs. She is currently working as a Program Manager at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care providing oversight to school-based programs and doing trainings on several topics to Harbor School and other districts throughout the state.
Harbor School a private special education school in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Our mission at Harbor School is to help all of our special needs students with learning, social, language, behavioral, and other disabilities. Our highly skilled staff are committed daily to helping each student reach their full potential.
We would be more than happy to discuss your child's specific needs and challenges, so please call us at 732.544.9394, or request a tour at Harbor School in Eatontown, NJ. We are located just minutes off of the Garden State Parkway at exit 105 and conveniently located off of Route 35 and Route 36 in Monmouth County, NJ.
Erik Glazner,
Principal-Harbor School, Eatontown, NJ