The Stop, Start, Continue framework can be a great tool to utilize in therapy sessions with teens and young adults. Counselors can use the Stop, Start, Continue framework in a session with young clients to help build self-awareness of their actions and behaviors. This framework is an effective way to promote change because it not only focuses on what needs to change but also on the client’s strengths.
Stop, Start, Continue with Therapeutic Modalities
This framework can be used with different modalities such as:
- Solution Focused Therapy: Its therapeutic interventions, such as identifying exceptions, scaling questions, and future-focused questions, can be incorporated into the Stop, Start, Continue Framework.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Its therapeutic interventions, such as behavioral activation, identifying automatic thoughts, and cost-benefit analysis, can be used within the Stop, Start, and Continue framework for further exploration.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Its interventions, such as identifying the Pros and Cons, Behavioral chain analysis, exploration of willingness/willfulness, and active problem-solving, can be utilized within the Stop, Start, and Continue framework for further exploration.
- Motivational Interviewing: Its therapeutic interventions, such as exploring ambivalence, goal setting, eliciting change talk, addressing discrepancies, and celebrating small wins, can be utilized within the Stop, Start, and Continue framework for further exploration.
- Family Therapy: Family therapy’s therapeutic interventions, such as communication skills training, problem-solving, parenting support, conflict resolution skills, and exploration of family values, can be incorporated within the Stop, Start, and Continue Framework for further exploration.
Themes to Explore with Children and Adolescents
Child and adolescent-related themes that can be discussed with the Stop, Start, Continue Framework include:
- Conflict Resolution Skills
- Communication Skills
- Family Dynamics
- Personal Growth
- Values Work
- Discussing Anxiety State
- Discussing Depressive State
- Enhancing One’s Self-Esteem
- Parenting Styles
- Future Focused
- Understanding the connection between Emotions and Behavior
Adjustments for Children and Adolescents
How will this activity differ for Children and Adolescents?
This activity can be utilized for children and adolescents. However, children may have difficulty identifying behaviors to change. Thus, it is important for the counselor to have visual representations, such as pictures or drawings, for the young client to choose from. Additionally, counselors working with younger children need to use simple language, such as “What good thing should you keep doing?” Lastly, it is important to provide examples of behaviors across different life domains, such as school and home. On the other hand, counselors working with adolescents can increase the complexity of the activity. Counselors now have the ability to deepen the client’s thinking and connect with the client’s personal values.
Stop, Start, and Continue Brave Play Activity
The Brave Play Kit can be used with Stop, Start, Continue. The steps below provide a template for how this activity could look.
First Phase:
A way to introduce the activity to the client by saying, “Today we will do an activity in which you get to be the expert on your own experiences. We will look at three categories (Stop, Start, Continue) that focus on how you communicate with others, your own behaviors, and coping abilities.”
The first column will be the Stop Column: Counselor would say: “I would like for you to find brave play atoms that represent behaviors/thoughts that you no longer find helpful and would like to change.”
Questions for Deeper Processing
- When does this behavior typically occur?
- Does this Behavior conflict with your core values?
- What is the benefit of stopping this behavior?
- Is there a potential loss by stopping this behavior?
- Is there a time when this behavior helped you cope with strong emotions/ emotional dysregulation?
Second Phase:
After completing the Stop Column, switch focus to the Start Column. Counselor would start this second column by saying: “We have identified behaviors/ thoughts that you would like to change, lets find brave play atoms that represent the new behaviors you would like to implement to replace the behaviors you would like to change” Furthermore, after exploring the new behaviors the client is wanting to implement to replace the unwanted behaviors from the STOP column, the counselor can further explore any additional behaviors the client would like to implement.
Questions for Deeper Processing
- What made you choose this behavior?
- What changes in your life would you notice if you started this new behavior?
- What are the benefits of stopping this behavior?
- What worries may stop you from trying this new behavior?
- Any self defeating thoughts/ automatic negative thoughts that may stop you from trying this new behavior?
Third Phase:
Lastly, you will shift focus to the Continue column.
Questions for Deeper Processing
- What would be the Pros and Cons of continuing this way of communication?
- What need is this behavior or way of communication fulfilling?
- What can happen if you continue this behavior?
Counselors Mae and Sam from Garrett Counseling demonstrate this Brave Play Activity in this video:
To learn more about Brave Play products and continuing education opportunities, click here.
**This article was written by Maya Cook-Stroupe, LPC. Maya is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama who is passionate about working with children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 years who are facing behavioral issues, anxiety, and depression.
