Think First

Jim Larson, PhD, is Professor of Psychology and Director of the School Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He is also a member of the Scientific Board of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment of Victims of Violence. Before moving to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Dr. Larson was a school psychologist with the Milwaukee Public Schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the lead psychologist with the Milwaukee schools' Violence Prevention Program. His principal research interests include the treatment of aggression in children and adolescents, school violence prevention, and training procedures in school psychology. He is coauthor (with John E. Lochman) of Helping Schoolchildren Cope with Anger: A Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention.

Larson's book is based on solid conceptual principles with a well-researched background. The Think First training modules are logically laid out and easy to follow, with a wealth of helpful hints for novice and experienced practitioners alike. One exceptional point is made that is worth the price of the book: intervention and teaching skills are inadequate without generalization in the real world. One must also practice, practice, practice. School psychologists, administrators, teachers, and those responsible for training these professionals should take note of this text and add it to their toolbox of interventions, as well as incorporating it into training programs. Overall, this is an excellent resource.--Twylla Abrahamson, PhD, Family Residential Division, River Oak Center for Children, Sacramento, CAThis is a practical and informative guide for mental health professionals and others concerned not only with reducing the occurrence of aggressive behaviors in schools, but also with encouraging the development of prosocial alternatives. Presented is a research-based, cognitive-behavioral intervention, including step-by-step guidelines for practitioners. I recommend this book as a useful text for graduate-level clinical training in school psychology, school social work, and education.--Douglas C. Smith, PhD, Department of Counselor Education, University of HawaiiOutstanding....This book makes unique contributions both to understanding aggressive behavior in school settings and to screening, identification, and assessment practices for school personnel. Mental health and student support services personnel will find the five-module treatment manual an excellent resource from which a school-based intervention system can be crafted. Think First would make an excellent text for intervention courses and seminars that focus on aggression and other types of externalizing behaviors.--George M. Batsche, EdD, Graduate Programs in School Psychology and Institute for School Reform, University of South FloridaThis book is full of useful material for professionals in middle and secondary learning environments. Included are research-supported sequential activities and ready-made forms that can be easily copied and used to support a well-documented, child-specific intervention. School psychologists, social workers, counselors, administrators, and teachers of at-risk students will find this a helpful tool in identifying and interrupting patterns that are leading toward increasing levels of aggression in today's youth.--Patricia Kies, EdS, School Psychologist, Parker High School, Janesville, Wisconsin-

• 1. The Problem and Directions for Change2. The Context of Aggressive Student Behavior: Creating Effective, Whole-School Environmental Strategies3. Rationale and Best Practices for Anger and Aggression Management Skills Training4. Screening, Identification, and Assessment for Anger and Aggression Management Training5. Getting Started with Anger and Aggression Management Skills Training6. Introduction to the Treatment ManualModule I. Introduction, Choices, and ConsequencesModule II. Hassle Log and Anger ReducersModule III. Anger Triggers and Attribution RetrainingModule IV. Self-Instruction and Consequential ThinkingModule V. Social Problem-SolvingAppendices:A. Current Behavior Screening FormB. Intervention Record ReviewC. Adolescent InterviewD. Brief Problem Assessment InterviewE. Classroom Progress Monitoring ReportF. Multidimensional School Anger InventoryG. Sample Parental Consent Letter/Carta de Consentimiento de PadresH. Guidelines for Generalization Support PersonsI. Academic Self-Monitoring FormJ. Think First Training OutcomesHandouts:Think First Handout I.1. Behavior A-B-C'sThink First Handout II.1. Hassle LogThink First Handout II.2. Behavior A-B-C's for an Anger CueThink First Handout III.1. Common Thought TriggersThink First Handout IV.1. RemindersThink First Handout V.1. Stop And ThinkThink First Handout V.2. Finding Alternative SolutionsThink First Handout V.3. Problem-Solving Work Sheet