Our Mission:
Though still in the beginning stages of development, Frames of Mind will develop a wide-reaching system to pair neuroscientists and psychologists with school counselors in short neuroeducation seminars. Currently, we are developing pilot programs in Boston and South Africa, wit the intention to expand programming further in the coming months and years.
Our Curriculum:
We use an empirically-tested curriculum produced by Raissa Miller, our advisor and one of the world’s leading experts in neuroeducation. It included basic information on brain structure and cognitive development. More importantly, however, it also includes exercises, tools, and metaphors based in the neuroscience of development and adolescence, which counselors can use immediately in their practice. Additionally, we provide neuroscience resources for counselors to use in discussions with parents, teachers, and administrators.
The curriculum we bring to any particular session is based on a needs survey circulated to counselors before the session. Counselors in Lesotho face different problems than their counterparts in Sacramento, and we believe it is crucial to center our curriculum in the local experiences of those using it.
Our Impact:
Research over the past decade on the effects of counselor neuroeducation is overwhelmingly positive. Some highlights from post-session interviews from counselors who have undergone our training include the following:
Participants repeatedly used neuroscience to normalize common adolescent experiences and used neuroscience to improve individuals’ perception of adolescents.
Participants used or envisioned using neuroscience to help increase students’ understanding of themselves.
Participants frequently used neuroscience to educate teachers/parents and talked about ways they could use neuroscience research to advocate for larger systemic changes that support adolescents’ healthy development.
And much, much more.