School Workshops

Collaborative Problem Solving

Collaborative Problem Solving is an innovative Trauma Informed, Skill-Based Approach for Teaching, Treating, Parenting/Caregiving Kids (& Adults) with Challenging Behavior Collaborative Problem Solving ® 

A two and a half day training, complete with video modeling, role-playing, and case studies that equips participants to be proficient in solid implementation of the model, this includes: In-depth exposure to assessment, planning and intervention components; practice identifying triggers, unmet expectations and specific skill deficits; as well as trouble-shooting when the process is challenging.

This program is ideal for educators & childcare providers

What will I learn?

• The ability to pursue high-priority expectations

• The ability to reduce challenging behavior

• The ability to proactively solve problems in a durable manner

• The ability to build skills that the child/individual is lacking

• The ability to preserve or build a helping relationship while doing all of the above

Stop chasing temporary compliance...and start building skills!

CPS 2-Hour Overview

In-person overview training on Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS)

Maria Sanders provides a 2-hour Overview for educators to learn how to assist students with difficult-to-manage behaviors in a new way! Teacher/Student power struggles can leave both parties frustrated with adults wondering how it could have gone differently. Behavioral difficulties are the leading causes of stress and teacher/caregiver burnout.

• Are interactions with some students adult/child power struggles?

• Does it feel like you are spending 95% of your time on challenging behaviors in the classroom?

• Are you tired of trying different approaches and nothing is working?

• Do you want to learn about an approach that is non-coercive, non-punitive, and non-controlling? 

Collaborative Problem Solving®(CPS) offers a new way to understand and help ALL children, regardless of a diagnosis, especially those with difficult-to-manage behaviors, which usually come with a diagnosis. CPS is an evidence-based, trauma-informed, inclusive, best-practice approach that will help give you insight into what might be getting in the way for those with behavioral challenges, while you learn how to teach the lagging skills.

There are over 12 million kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in North America alone. A heartbreaking number of kids are struggling simply because their challenges are poorly understood. 

Typically, the public view is that these kids behave badly to get or avoid things. They are thought to be manipulative, unmotivated, disrespectful, limit testing, and just generally bad kids.  As a result, reward and punishment programs are used in homes, schools, and therapeutic and juvenile detention settings everywhere. Maria Sanders’ training presents very different ideas about how challenging kids come to be challenging. And very different – and effective – ideas about how to help.

Maria Sanders’ professional experiences combined with extensive education on the social-emotional, trauma-informed, inclusive approach, give her a unique perspective and insight into the challenges faced by helping complex children. 

Maria Sanders works to ensure that misconceptions and lack of treatment do not continue to be barriers to maximizing ALL children’s potential.