module 11: lesson 2 troubleshooting countermoves checklist ... · lesson 2 troubleshooting...

Module 11: Lesson 2

Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist

Worksheet

FST Digital Advanced Training Course12 FST Techniques to Become a Family Trauma Expert

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Lesson 2Troubleshooting

Countermoves ChecklistIn this Lesson #2 worksheet, I will summarize the implementation steps to create your Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist during your Phase IV pre-session preparation and outlined in Chapter 10 (pgs. 277-287) of your Resource Book.

In this worksheet you will:

• See the templates you need to create your own Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist and the procedures

• See the differences between using the Troubleshooting Countermoves for your trauma playbooks vs. those that are behavioral

• See and master the on-ramp transition from pre-session preparation to Phase IV and how to present your checklist to the family

Important to Note: As this lesson’s video illustrates, this troubleshooting countermoves checklist is also your script for your dress rehearsals or role-plays. For example, in video lesson #2, for both Ashley and Dexter, the checklist was the script for the role plays illustrated. This dual function is critical to note as you read this worksheet and complete your first checklist. You will not role-play every countermove in your checklist. Instead, you will decide which curveballs or troubleshooting scenarios using the playbook will give your family the most problems if they do not practice and role-play them ahead of time.

Pre-Session Preparation for Phase IVType up and Laminate Playbooks; Create Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist ; Ensure Key Villagers Present

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Four Action Steps#1 – �Read�Chapter�10�(pgs.�277-287)� Why?This chapter will provide an in-depth review of the steps needed to create your first Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist. And because this is a new skill, this worksheet will not be enough to master this technique. When you combine the video lesson, this worksheet, and resource book, you can master this technique at a much faster rate.

#2 – �How�to�Create�Your�First�Troubleshooting�Countermoves Checklist

Step 1: Take Your Finalized Playbook from Phase III and Troubleshoot ItAt the end of Phase III in the FST Model, you will have your finalized FST Playbook(s). But before your next face to face session, your pre-session preparation step (See Chapter 10 in your Resource Book) is to create initial troubleshooting simply countermoves checklist template to complement your FST Playbook. See the side by side example in Table 1 using Ashley’s family as the case example.

Table 1: Converting Ashley’s FST Playbook to a Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist

Ashley’s FST Trauma Playbook → Conversion to → Ashley’s FST Troubleshooting Checklist

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In Ashley’s case example, I used the FST Troubleshooting Checklist template as my guide to fill in the most likely “what will you do if?” curveballs and countermoves for the finalized 30 Day Nurturing Campaign that was completed in Phase III: Co-Create Playbooks.

This draft was then presented to Ashley’s family at the beginning of my next session in Phase IV, and together we made any customized changes or modifications as needed. For example, your parents may object to how one of curveballs or countermoves is written and want to modify it or add another one.

Important to Note: As the FST therapist, you are not supposed to take your finalized playbook and answer every possible “What will you do if?” scenario. Instead, you will predetermine the most likely problem scenarios that may occur. For example, in Ashley’s case example, I had to only come to the session with the “How” part of the playbook (see the template in Table 3) completed. The reason is that the “how” part of the playbook was this family’s highest level of difficulty. The “who,” “what,” “when,” and “where” was the natural part that we could do together with ease.

Ashley’s FST Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist

Name of Technique: 30�Day�Nurturing�Campaign

Areas of the FST Trauma Playbook to Address

Common “What Will You Do If?” Curveballs

to Derail Playbook

Countermoves Actions or Statements

Re-print the Parts of Your FST Playbook Below:

How:

Step 1: 7am Stepdad praise Ashley for job well done when chores completed day before.

Step 2: Give Ashley her allowance of $1.50 for chores each day.

Step 3: Mark Bonus Calendar with Ashley together.

Step 4: Mom will praise Ashley too and husband and say thank you for his consistency.

IN STEP 1: What will you do if?

Ashley says: “who cares!” or “whatever” or ignores you?

OR YOU PICK: ________

• Don’t take it personally

• Remember... Ashley is scared to be vulnerable

IN STEP 2: What will you do if?

Ashley says: “I want more money”

OR YOU PICK: ________

• Say... “Nevertheless, the reward is $1.50”

• If she continues... Exit the conversation without saying anything further

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This pre-session preparation step is completed before the session for two reasons:

1. A Problem-Solving Deficit – Remember the problem-solving skills deficit in worksheet #1 and illustrated with the Primetime Live family. Usually, people respond to curveballs as they occur or “off the cuff.” But for traumatized families, this innate ability or skill set is not there, to begin with, or it is in a tenuous state. Therefore, if you present a blank troubleshooting template, your family will be lost like a “deer in the headlights.” They will need the jump-start of your first working draft of the troubleshooting checklist as a handout to generate discussion.

2. It Takes Too Long – It takes too long to start from scratch. If the family is presented with a blank checklist, it will take an entire session just to fill in the blanks. However, with a first draft already filled in, the family can co-create or approve your first draft checklist in half the time.

Step 2: Know the Different Troubleshooting Templates Between Trauma and Behavioral PlaybooksAs outlined in Module #10 and your worksheets, the key difference between a trauma playbook of who, what, when, where, and how vs. a behavioral playbook of rules, rewards, and consequences are based on the seed, undercurrent, and end goal.

In the former, there are unhealed wounds and unhealthy undercurrents around the seeds of “unhealed wounds,” “mental or physical impairment,” and “unmet primal needs.” In this case, your client or family will need a playbook, and troubleshooting countermoves checklist around who, what, when, where, and how (see Table 2A). The end goal here is the clarity of roles and the “how” or implementation of an intervention to heal the identified unhealthy undercurrents around an identified wound or trauma.

In the latter, the end goal is behavioral because the toxic seed is the misuse of power, and there is an upside-down hierarchy with parents with have lost their authority. Therefore, a behavioral playbook contract is needed with clear rules and consequences. A family with unhealthy undercurrents such as inconsistent discipline, empty threats, the dance of aggression, etc. and interactional trauma needs a playbook of clear rules and predetermined rewards and consequences (see Table 2b). In these families with a child or adolescent who has problems symptoms such as extreme disrespect, aggression, or drug use, it’s a both/and approach. These families will need a hybrid of both a trauma playbook to heal wounds AND a behavioral playbook(s) of clear rules and boundaries to heal the interactional trauma and to realign the hierarchy.

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The case study of Dexter in Modules 10-12 is the perfect example. The first playbook and troubleshooting checklist was called The Power of Hugs and Prayer, and the second playbook was for disrespect. Both types of playbooks, along with troubleshooting and dress rehearsals, were needed to heal this family. In Table 2A, you will see the Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist for Trauma Playbooks, and Table 2B illustrates the checklist template you would use for your future behavioral playbooks. In Dexter’s case, it was to heal disrespect.

Table 2: Dexter’s Two Types of Playbook (Trauma and Behavioral) Side by Side

Playbook #1: Dexter’s Trauma Playbook and Troubleshooting Checklist Template

Family Plan: To Help Dexter Be At Peace Again The Power of the Hugs and Prayer, Unconditional Love, and Affirmation To Heal Dexter’s Wounds of Shame, Lack of Attachment, and Insecurity

And together, we will help overthrow the stronghold of Shame. We will counter the lies with these truths:

• You deserve to be loved• You have what it takes!!• You are part of this family, and we love you

Maxon (with Dad’s help) will write these lines on three different cue cards– Dad will organize this task

It is time for us to kick this stronghold of shame from our home. It has overstayed its welcome, and the Shame Spider must go

Who:Dad, Mom, Maxon, Grandfather, Uncle, Ida (neighbor)

What:• We will initiate a long group hug (30 seconds or more) and saying “Dexter you are so loved,

you are not alone, and you are part of this family.” Maxon will hold up cue cards

• If during the day, you have anxiety or stress we will get into a group hug and say “Dexter you are loved, and you are not alone.” Anyone in the family can call for a hug outside regular times of morning and evening

When:• In the evening or morning at what time 9 am? (Alarm) – Dad runs point person

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Wound Playbook for ______________ [name of seed being addressed by playbook]

Name of Technique: ________________________

Areas of the Wound Playbook to Address

Common “What Will You Do If?” Curveballs to Derail

Playbook


Re-print the Parts of Your Wound Playbook Below:

Who:

List the names of everyone who is involved with executing this intervention– Include extended family members or other outside villagers if applicable

What will you do if an important “who” player quits suddenly?

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What will you do if you are missing a key villager to make the playbook work better or even at all?

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Other Possible Situations Not Listed

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What:

List what the technique or intervention selected is (the Name of it)

What will you do if the intervention is not working as you hoped or as quickly as you expected?

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What will you do if your child or another adult says, “I’m not doing this, it’s too hard to keep going, or this plan sucks?

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2A: Handout Template for Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist When Using a Trauma Playbook Like Dexter’s The Power of Hugs and

Prayer Playbook

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When:

Details of when the technique or intervention will take place. Specificity is necessary. List the actual date, day(s) of the week, and time(s).

What will you do if a key person in the playbook does not show up on the date or time listed on the playbook or simply refuses?

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What will you do if the date and time on the playbook is not working as planned? And who is the go-to person to make changes?

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Where:

Details of where the intervention will take place (i.e., inside the home, a location outside the home, etc.)

What will you do if the location you selected is not working as planned? And who is the go-to person to make this change?

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The How: Step-by-Step Instructions to Complete the Task with Clarity of Everyone’s Roles:

Details of everyone’s role and a brief description of what steps they will take to make the technique or intervention work. Specificity is necessary.

List the names of each person involved, and, beside their Name, list what they will be doing.

What will you do if someone gets confused about what their role is supposed to be in the playbook?

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What will you do if the steps do not appear to be working or as well as you planned?

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What will you do if your child or someone else stops doing their step(s) in the plan?

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Playbook #2: Dexter’s Behavioral Playbook and Troubleshooting Checklist Template

Behavioral Playbook for: Misuse�of�Power [name of seed being addressed by playbook]

Name of Technique: A Behavioral Contract

Areas to Address Common “What Will You Do If?” Curveballs to Derail the Plan


Rule: [Name of child or teenager] problem [Name it: disrespect, aggression, etc.] will take place if the following occurs: list observable actions in bullet points.

For example:

• Gets in anyone’s space with aggressive words or gestures (aggression)

• Does not listen the first time (disrespect)

• Not attending school (truancy)

• Test positive on a hair test (drug use)

• What will you do if a child says, “This rule is stupid, I am not following it.”

• Or “I want to renegotiate some of these rules.”

☐ Example: Use the technique called REFLECTORS– “Dexter, we appreciate your opinion, but the rule still stands.”

Other possible curveballs not listed

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2B: Handout Template for Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist When Using a Behavioral Playbook Like Dexter’s Disrespect Contract

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Earn a Privilege: List it – What is the child’s currency that they care about?

For example, an older child’s currency is their cellphone or electronics – it is not a “right” but a “privilege” that is earned by following a predetermined and written rule

Example statement: Presently, you use your cellphone even if you are aggressive. In the future, it will be a privilege, not a right that you must earn through no aggression.

• Example reward: Each day no acts or threats of aggression = Earning cell phone use daily (keep it an entire day unless act or threat of aggression during that day)

Key Piece [INTERNAL USE ONLY]: Use the Contract “as an on-ramp” for your parent or caregiver to start to Nurture or Attach again through emotional warm-ups of praise and appreciation

• Example: At bedtime, we as your parents will praise, hug, and congratulate you on a job well done.

• Example: AND/OR the child can create a bonus calendar with final parent approval for consistency

Bonus reward for seven straight days, 14, 21, etc. The child now co-owner of process.

• What if we as parents forget to praise our child?

• What will you do if your child or teenager says, “Who cares!” or does not appreciate the privilege?

☐ [for Dexter– I will put a Post It Note on my bathroom mirror].

☐ Example: This is normal kid stuff. To act like they don’t care. Therefore, we will not take it personally but keep being consistent with your part.


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#3 – �Turn�Your�Troubleshooting�Countermoves�Checklist�Into�a�Handout�and�Pass�Out�at�the�Next�Session

After you create your first working draft troubleshooting countermoves checklist [based on the type of playbook, trauma, or behavioral], make it into a handout and bring copies to your next session. Pass them out (Step 2) after a final last-minute check on any missed playbook loopholes (see Step 1).

Phase IV: Troubleshooting and Dress RehearsalsStep 1: Present Finalized Playbooks and Locate and Close Loopholes

Step 2: Present the Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist Step 3: Co-Create the Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist Step 4: Conduct Role-Plays/Dress Rehearsals and Enactments

Step 5: Implement Playbooks

Consequences: If the rule is broken, must predetermine and write down consequences. Usually, just the polar opposite of the rewards. The currency of the child given for following the rule or taken if broken. Keep it simple!!

• Example: For acts of disrespect the following will occur

• Cellphone immediately removed for that day plus the next day

• We say,

“You are a valuable part of this family. We love you but did not like the behavior.”

• What will you do if your child refuses to give up their cellphone?

• What if the child gets in my face and yells?

☐ Example: You will calmly say, “You have 5 minutes to put it on the kitchen table. If I come back in 5 minutes and it is not there, as per our contract, it will be deactivated for the next 14 days. I love you, and I know you will make the right decision. Good-bye.”

☐ Don’t take it personally. Calmly say, “What you are saying is not respectful, so as per our contract, I will exit.” Leave immediately.


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Knowledge is Power: Know How to Deliver Your Troubleshooting Checklist

✔ It is HIGHLY recommended that you read Chapter 10 and specifically, pgs. 294-303 that outlines the “how-to” delivery of your troubleshooting countermoves checklist and the bridge to how it is then used as an on-ramp for your dress rehearsals or role-plays:

Chapter�10�(pgs.�294-303)�Why?As stated earlier, both troubleshooting and dress rehearsals are probably the most underutilized techniques in mental health counseling. And they are not commonly taught in graduate training. As a result, you must self-teach yourself. Also, the mastery of these techniques is a big reason why we offer one on one consultation during FST Certification. But regardless, this chapter is a must-read to self-teach yourself.

Use This Transition Statement Before Delivering Your Troubleshooting Checklist Handout in Step 2: Present the Troubleshooting Countermoves ChecklistThe following transition statement is recommended to begin Step 2:

Now that we have looked at and closed loopholes, our next step is to go through each part of your playbook using what I call a ‘troubleshooting countermoves checklist.’ Before today’s session, after typing out your finalized playbook(s), I prepared your countermoves checklist.

In this checklist, you will see all the “What will you do if…?” situations or potential challenges that I thought your family might encounter when you put your playbook into action.

After I pass out this checklist [hold it up], we will go over it together. Please note that this is a ‘working draft. This means that we will go over this checklist line-by-line together and make any changes as needed. As we make any changes, I will write them (or type if have a laptop) right into the checklist and email or print it out immediately.

OK, let me pass out a copy to everyone.

As the transition statement illustrates, it is important to make clear that the checklist is a “working draft” that will be co-written together.

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As with the playbook, you, as the FST therapist, can jump-start the process, but if the family does not take ownership, the checklist, like the playbook, will have limited impact and effectiveness.

It is suggested that you go to Chapter 10 on pages 296-297 under this section:

“Must-Haves, Nice-to-Haves, and the Battle for Structure”

This section presents rules of thumb of who to have in the room or online when you show your troubleshooting countermoves checklist and who to exclude with rationale. For example, if I have an uncooperative adolescent, I excuse them and bring them back after their parents have mastered this checklist and associated role plays.

It does not help if the parents lack confidence and skills in problem-solving, delivery, delivery, and softness, and the adolescent is disrupting the process. The identified child just needs to metaphorically “see the baby” and not all the labor pains to get there.

#4 – �Co-Create�Your�Troubleshooting�Countermoves�Checklist in Step 3

After the troubleshooting checklist is presented in handout form, take the time to read each section slowly and then pause for family input.

The goals of Step 3 are to (a) accept or reject your curveball suggestions and countermoves, or (b) accept your suggestions and countermoves but with family member recommended edits or changes, or (c) family members include additional curveball suggestions (other possible situations not listed) and/or new countermoves.

The following transition statement is recommended after the checklist handout is distributed:

Now that you have the handout let’s go through the checklist line-by-line. I will pause after each section and ask if you (a) want to accept or reject my curveball suggestions and countermoves, or (b) want to accept my suggestion and countermoves but add some of your edits or changes, or (c) if you want to make any new suggestions or new countermoves. Let’s begin.

Next Steps• You are now ready to proceed to worksheet #3 to master the art of using your

troubleshooting checklist to create and conduct dress rehearsals. This is Step 4: Conduct Role-Plays/Dress Rehearsals and Enactments in Phase IV of the FST Model.

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Success MilestonesAfter you complete this worksheet, look for these success milestones in your practice:

✔ Self-Taught Practice Brings Confidence – I am not going to sugar coat it. When you first try, troubleshooting is awkward and clumsy and complicated. It is like a muscle that you have likely never used before. But realizing that this is normal and part of the learning process will help you not give up too quickly. Therefore, make yourself a “pinky promise.” Write at least three checklists for three of your future clients, whether they are an individual, couple, or family. It is a tool that can be used successfully regardless of the client type. And watch how your confidence grows and the positive feedback that your clients give us because of the clear roadmap it provides them.

✔ It’s a Must-Have for Online Treatment – When you do online treatment, you must have visuals and a clear step-by-step runaway of Point A to point B. Otherwise, your clients or family members will get lost. However, when you share your screen and bring up the Troubleshooting Countermoves Checklist that your clients can visually see and then help build, your online session suddenly has the energy and clear direction. If skeptical, please try and see for yourself this success milestone in action.

Big Ideas: Lesson 2 VideoCase Example: Troubleshooting in Action

✔ Here you saw an opposite case example of what can happen when your parents have a playbook but also troubleshooting or dress rehearsals to go with it.

✔ It is nice to see the sharp contrasts of the before in lesson 1 vs. the after or this lesson.

✔ Even though we showed parts of Ashley’s case in Module #1, it helps to look at the same case again but through the focused lens of both troubleshooting and dress rehearsals.

✔ Here I review Ashley’s family FST trauma playbook and then illustrate the troubleshooting countermoves checklist that you will complete with the family to teach them skills in problem-solving or “what will you do if?” scenarios.

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Case�Example:�Dress�Rehearsals�in�Action ✔ Here you will see how to go from troubleshooting to dress rehearsals with

Ashley’s family as a case example.

✔ You also see how your dress rehearsals can turn into real-life quickly when you are injecting healthy undercurrents back into the family.

✔ Finally, you saw how everything is connected from playbooks to helping your parents with skill deficits so they can become the best version of themselves.

Another�Case�Example:�Dress�Rehearsals�in�Action ✔ Dexter’s family case example is presented as another example of going from

troubleshooting to dress rehearsals.

✔ You also see the concept of verbal walkthroughs or storyboarding that you will replicate with your clients to get them ready for dress rehearsals.

✔ Dexter’s parents showed deficits in delivery with the consequences, and this illustrated the need for an additional session for more practice.

Please Note: Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond your authorized practice as a mental health professional, case manager or parent support liaison. As a professional, you are responsible for reviewing your scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your professions standards.

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