The Nurtured Heart Approach®
If you are a parent, educator, professional, business owner...... the Nurtured Heart Approach™ (NHA) has something for you. Unlike many approaches designed to improve communication, manage behavior, or teach social skills to a certain age group or profession, the NHA crosses from children to adults, homes to schools, and daily living to the business world. This is due to the focus being on intentional interactions that build on success in ourselves and others using a set of strategies and intentions.  

The history.  The Nurtured Heart Approach™ (NHA) was created by Howard Glasser, a therapist, in the 1990 while working with some of the most challenging children in the nation.   He watched the dance of “energy” in human relationships and discovered truths that were actually making the problem worse between children and parents.  He then realized these same tenants are true for all relationships.  Out of this he created the Nurtured Heart Approach to help guide intentional relationships that build internal success and help children and adults to flourish into the best version of themselves. 

Although the setting changes, the approach doesn’t.  

The foundational intentions of the NHA along with a set of strategies is where the approach begins always driven by balance in the three stands.  Stand 1 and 2 must be solidly in place before Stand 3 when first beginning the approach. 

1. Absolute No! -refusing to accidentally reward negative choices/behavior (no longer admiring in silence when things go right and being full of words and relationships when things are going wrong)  
2. Absolute Yes! - recognizing and speaking what is going right (getting new eyes to see the world differently and giving a voice to what is going right) and
3. Absolute Clarity! -setting clear limits with true consequences (having absolute clarity about what is and is not acceptable in the relationships you have and then being courageous enough to hold others and yourself to this).  

The simplicity of the approach has made is easy to learn and remember as the stands and intentions are taught through stories.  The stories are memorable allowing you to recall them at just the right moment you need them in a relationship.   Greater awareness of your own intention and energy in relationships helps you to be more aware and purposeful in creating the relationships you want with others. 

I encourage you to also visit Howard Glasser's website www.difficultchild.com and www.childrenssuccessfoundation for a wealth of knowledge and resources related to this approach.