Samantha* struggled in school. Her body seemed to have a mind of its own, often resulting in very exaggerated gestures. She didn’t have any friends because she was the “weird kid” who often felt too big, and sometimes too small, for her own body.
Thanks to a referral from the school counselor, Samantha started working with Tammy, a YBGR therapist in her school trained in Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Therapy (SMART). Using SMART modalities and equipment, Samantha quickly learned that she needed help to regulate her body and keep herself in the “window of regulation,” a window on the first floor of her metaphorical house.
When Samantha was feeling out of control and her body was making big gestures, she was shooting into the attic of her house. Using a body sock or a weighted blanket helped to bring her down. After she was back on the first floor, she was able reflect with Tammy and examine what triggered her to feel things in that big way. Together, Samantha and Tammy also examined the things that made her feel down and small, things that put her in the basement of her house. Using fidget spinners and other sensory objects helped Samantha to relax and share feelings and emotions more openly.
After several months of working with Tammy, Samantha is better able to regulate herself and relies less on outside tools. Samantha is now doing better in school, has joined the soccer team, and has made friends. She still has her moments, but she is better able to work through them and ask for help when she needs it. Sometimes, it’s a big hug and sometimes, it’s some space.
*For the privacy of the youth served at the Ranch, names have been changed. Image(s) shown here are a representation of those served at the Ranch.
When Chris arrived at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, he literally had nothing but the clothes on his back. Chris is an Alaska Native youth that had been bounced around the foster care system his entire life. Because of his mental health struggles, he was never able to find a forever home. “I felt so unloved and unwanted. Everything I ever got was second hand. I was an afterthought and that only made my struggles worse. I didn’t have anything that was just mine and that wouldn’t just go away when I was moved on to another place,” recalls Chris.
Sara had never played a team sport before she arrived at YBGR. She was tall and uncoordinated and was always the last one picked for a team during gym class.
Last fall, YBGR had a readmission of a youth named Heidi*. She had discharged a couple months prior from the residential treatment program, and things had deteriorated quickly after she went home. She seemed embarrassed to be back and said she felt like a failure. At YoungLife Club, held every other week in the Chapel, Chaplain John Boeder could tell that she was feeling pain and frustration and asked if he could pray for her. She said, “Yes.” After talking a little more, she asked, “Could you stop by the lodge sometime? I would really like to talk to you about Jesus. I have some questions.” John told her he would schedule a time soon. As Heidi left for lunch, John began reading through the prayer requests that the kids had filled out, and there was a note from Heidi saying, “Don’t forget to stop by the lodge. 😊 – Heidi”.
Jessica* came to YBGR recently, struggling to reconcile bad experiences in her life. She is very direct, says it like it is, and wants to get to the bottom of things. Soon after arriving, Jessica was convinced by a peer in her lodge to attend YoungLife Camp which is held on the YBGR campus twice a year.
