All Rights Reserved. Published in the USA.
Ed. Sarah Techau
Connections was originally published electronically
and distributed to members of the Hermes' Web
Community. We have included the majority of this
publication here, for your enjoyment. The Call For
Submissions email, which solicits members' input
on a specific topic for the upcoming issue, is also
included below.
At a recent conference, many people inquired about
using Hermes’ Web with clients who have learning
disabilities, such as ADD, developmental constraints,
and low cognitive functioning, for whom “traditional”
therapeutic approaches simply have not worked...
Read the full Call For Submissions for this issue
Hermes’ Web and learning-disabled clients
Chronicles:
Hermes’ Web and defensive, hard-to-reach youth
Headlines:
Hermes’ Web in the Inner City
A Broad Interest in the Hermes’ Web Approach
disabled clients. Here’s what one member had to say, followed by the response from our founder Jerry Fjerkenstad, MA, LP.
Question
“I work with drug-addicted youth, many of which have coexisting mental illness, especially ADHD. So I deal not only with addiction and
recovery issues, but with the anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors that usually accompany ADHD. I have not yet
used Hermes’ Web, and I’m wondering how to introduce my kids to it and keep their attention and interest while dealing with such
complexity. Any suggestions?”
- Minnesota
Response From Jerry Fjerkenstad, MA, LP
These are exactly the kinds of kids with which to use Hermes’ Web and the therapeutic toys. These kids need a focus of attention -
something that moves, something they can handle. They often need dual-stimulation (or more) in order to encode information and
learn something, not just filter it in one ear and out the other. The Web and toys satisfy their need for stimulation, while also providing
necessary information, training, therapy, and guidance. Without these tools, you end up competing for attention and losing, regardless
of the importance of what you are trying to impart.
The key here is preparation. Decide what points you want to make and the essence of those points. Then, be creative in how you use
the Web and toys to make those points. Use the Web as your medium, one that they pay attention to. Use the Web to convert to a
language they understand. The information needs to get in quick and fast, because the openings are fleeting. Thus, the combination of
Web use and preparation gives you a chance. In addition, you eliminate the competition for attention by incorporating that attention into
your presentation.
A Community member and seasoned Hermes’ Web practitioner offers the following testimonial about his experience using Hermes’
Web with defensive, hard-to-reach youth. We encourage you to share your experiences in how Hermes’ Web has worked in your
practice or organization.
“My years of experience in working with troubled youth tells me that you can’t teach these kids anything unless you have the right road
in. They don’t have a regular ego, a standard set of values, or a ‘standard issue’ road in. They don’t respect authority the way our
parents did. They don’t process information the same way, and they’re more into survival than values or community.
Years ago, my reaction to these kids was not to get too close, to respect their defenses, sometimes out of fear. I thought that, until they
take responsibility for their power, it’s simply not safe to get too close, no matter how much in need or how vulnerable they are. A lot of
other therapists I knew took the same approach. Some gave up and passed these kids down the line for the next one to deal with.
My approach completely changed when I started using Hermes’ Web and the toys. I learned to get past my own ego-level reactions to
these kids and start to lead from my own core. The Web allowed me to finally speak their language and show them what I had been
trying to tell them. I started seeing real changes, not the surface stuff you get from the typical ‘pour it all on the ego’ approach. After all, if
it doesn’t come from the core, it won’t hold up under pressure. Distinguishing between core- and ego-level issues is crucial in my
practice and the Web really helped me to grow and change so I could help the kids do the same.”
— Minnesota
— Connections staff
Recently, Hermes' Web Marketing Company designed several therapeutic toy collections for Bobby Hickman. Bobby uses Hermes'
Web toys and tools extensively in his work with at-risk youth, in dealing with such issues as gangs, EQ, teen pregnancy, racism, and
violent offense. He co-founded and served as the executive director of the Inner City Youth League in St. Paul, MN and was a McKnight
Community Fellow at The City, Inc. in Minneapolis. He is a certified mediator for divorce and child custody cases and is a recognized
leader in the African-American community.
Click here to visit Bobby's page.
A Broad Interest in the Hermes' Web Approach
Hermes’ Web Marketing Company has attended several conferences and conventions in the past few months for professionals
treating and assessing sex offenders, drug- and sex-addicted clients, and at-risk youth. We’ve received overwhelming response to the
Hermes’ Web approach. Therapists, program directors, social workers, victims advocates, educators, and other professionals were
very eager to learn how Hermes’ Web brings about meaningful, core-level change in their clients and students.
Questions, comments, and ideas have poured in from those attending the events. Attendees opened our eyes to new and interesting
ways they use Hermes’ Web and how its breakthrough approach works in “niche” situations, such as mental stimulation for Alzheimer’
s patients and building emotional intelligence to better communicate in a multi-cultural workplace. We’d like to thank them for their
input and genuine interest in learning, growing, and expanding their creativity to better meet the needs of their clients, students, and
staff. And, we welcomed many of them into the Hermes’ Web Community!
