ReThink It ©
A Positive Behavior Modification Plan

Helping Students Behave In School

Good News for Teachers, School Counselors, Administrators, Parents, and Students! 

ReThink It ©

A Positive Behavior Management Program

for School Students

(Ages 5 to 15)



ReThink It© is a positive behavior program created for teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and especially children. This program is based on several principals from School Counseling and Play Therapy. I have been a play therapist and a school counselor for many years.

I have tried every behavior modification program ever written. The problem was that the people who wrote these programs only saw children for an hour a week in private practice, or tested them once for psychological testing.

As a school counselor, I have seen many children with severe behavior problems for several hours a day up to 180 days a year. I have worked with teachers in elementary and middle school to try to help these children with behavior issues learn how to behave in school. It is difficult to see children, for whatever reason, struggle in the classroom. Poor behavior can really hurt a  child’s self esteem.  Lower self-esteem can have a tremendous effect on a child’s life.  

It is also hard to watch teachers get frustrated as they try to teach, but can’t due to a student with difficult behavior. For many years I have researched and tried various behavior plans to help students. I have also taught teachers, parents, administrators, school counselors, and students what I learned. I am sad to say that most of the time these behavior plans did not work for teachers, school counselors, administrators, and students. 

One of the most important things I learned in this research is that "behavior" is a form of communication for all humans, not just young children. When human beings act out they are trying to say, “Something is not right in my world. Help Me!”

Life would be so much easier if humans could just say this "Help Me" instead of acting out through poor behavior. Poor behavior is how some people communicate when they don’t know how to express themselves with words.

So, the very first thing adults need to do is reframe what they think about children when they misbehave. When a child misbehaves the first thought in an adults mind (parent or teacher) should be:

“This child is telling me that he / she needs help and is afraid. What is it that they are they trying to tell me through their behavior? ”

Then it is up to you, the adult, to solve the mystery of what the child is trying to tell you. You have to put on a detective hat and try to find the root of the behavior issues. The root of misbehavior is always“fear based”. Even spoiled children have a “fear base”. The fear is that they will not get their way. All negative behaviors come from fear. These include anger, rage, hate, anxiety, depression, etc.

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.