Open Parachute

A step-by-step guide for understanding and managing student behavior

"Always leading with the heart, Dr. Watson makes us stronger and wiser through practical and accessible guidance. In this guide, educators can find comfort in knowing that there are answers to hard questions as they navigate challenges with students as we learn and grow together."

Maura Papile L.I.C.S.W., Senior Director of Student Support Services, Quincy Public Schools

Finding the Words - Empowering Struggling Students through Guided Conversations by Dr. Hayley Watson

Learn the language to use with any struggling student

Be confident communicating in a supportive way with students who face challenges such as:

Worries, Anxiety & Stress

Worries, Anxiety & Stress

Depression & Apathy

Depression & Apathy

Social Media Impacts

Social Media Impacts

Peer Pressure

Peer Pressure

Low Body Image

Low Body Image

Bullying

Bullying

Perfectionism

Perfectionism

Disengagement from School

Disengagement from School

Self-Harm

Self-Harm

Trusted by Experts in Education

Amazon Best Seller

#1 in Best Seller on Amazon in:

• School Superintendents & Principals • Educational Counselling Textbooks • School Bullying & Truancy Counselling • School Crisis Management Counselling

EdTech Chronicle 2024 Best IN EDUCATION Gold Award

2024 Best Education Book Winner

Awarded by EdTech Chronicle for "Best Education Book, e-book, Flipbook or Similar." This honor recognizes outstanding educational impact and innovation.

An Educator's Guide to Supporting Student Well-being

Finding the Words explores the real challenges facing students, including anxiety, low body image, defiance, and apathy, and helps educators communicate with students through difficult moments. The book provides practical language and tools for responding to student behaviour in calm, meaningful, and supportive ways, giving educators greater confidence to navigate challenging conversations when they matter most.

Understand Student Challenges
Understand Student Challenges

Learn from Real Youth Stories
Learn from Real Youth Stories

Apply Practical Techniques
Apply Practical Techniques

Use Effective Language On-the-Spot
Use Effective Language On-the-Spot

Get Instant Access to the Free Chapter

Supporting Students Who Are Worried, Anxious, or Stressed

  • Practical tools to calm anxious thoughts in the moment
    Practical tools to calm anxious thoughts in the moment
  • Easy-to-use language for real conversations with kids
    Easy-to-use language for real conversations with kids
  • Insights from child psychology
    Insights from child psychology
  • Evidence-based approach preview
    Evidence-based approach preview
Finding the Words - Empowering Struggling Students through Guided Conversations by Dr. Hayley Watson

Based on over 400 interviews with real students

Be guided using transcripts from real conversations with students, along with honest reflections from a Clinical Psychologist. Each chapter contains an interview between Dr. Watson and a student communicating about different topics relating to mental health.

Finding the Words - Empowering Struggling Students through Guided Conversations by Dr. Hayley Watson

Join the Educator Book Study!

Join hundreds of teachers who have already joined Dr. Hayley Watson's annual 5-part live webinar Book Study series, designed to help educators bring the insights from 'Finding the Words' directly into their schools. There is also a ready-made Book Study Package allowing you to create your own learning direction and target chapters that meet your needs.

Dr. Hayley Watson with Finding the Words book - Educator Book Study

Praise for Finding the Words

"Avoiding theory and jargon, Dr. Hayley Watson's Finding the Words is a hands-on resource for teachers and other caring adults who hope to address young people's mental health issues proactively, responsively, and responsibly. From her deep experience as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Watson presents a practical framework for understanding common problems young people are facing—and then illustrates it with sample conversations that offer constructive strategies to support young people in overcoming these obstacles."

Sheldon Berman, Ed.D.

Lead Superintendent for Social-Emotional Learning, AASA, The School Superintendents Association

"Finding the Words is more than just a book—it's a call to action, empowering educators to engage in transformative conversations with young people facing significant challenges in their lives. Dr. Watson skillfully uses real-life scenarios to demonstrate the application of a six-part process designed to boost mental health resilience among youth. At the heart of this approach is the value placed on deep, meaningful conversations between young people and supportive adults, providing the context for nurturing the insights and skills youths need to help them navigate adversity."

Jenny Williams

Educational Consultant and Developer of http://wellbeingbc.ca

“The book beautifully encapsulates the idea that as educators, our role goes far beyond impart- ing knowledge; we are also responsible for nurturing the emotional well-being of our students. Dr.Watson highlights the crucial steps in self-reflection that can help students confront their inner needs and find their true selves. By making space for this self-discovery, educators can profoundly impact a student’s personal growth. Every educator or supporter of education can benefit from this book.”

Scott Frauenheim

President and Chief Executive Officer, Distinctive Schools

“Finding the Words serves as a trusted colleague for educators, offering guidance and examples crucial for supporting students in their moments of struggle. This reliable companion empow- ers educators to authentically connect with students, equipping them with the words needed to navigate challenging situations and foster meaningful understanding.”

Liz Hill, M.Ed.

Assistant Superintendent, West Vancouver Schools, Canada

How educators can use Finding The Words

About the Author

Dr Hayley Watson is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in children and adolescents with a PhD in school bullying interventions, along with four further academic degrees in the field of mental health.

  • She has been creating and delivering youth and school-based programs globally for the past 20 years, and has worked across a range of sectors including police victim services, non-profit organizations, private psychology practices, hospitals, schools, and universities. She trains educators and parents worldwide on holistic well-being practices, and is the founder of Open Parachute.
Portrait of Dr. Hayley Watson

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