Transform the Way You Understand and Support Your Most Complex Clients & Their Families
I routinely talk with professionals across sectors — from healthcare to education, social services to family support — who feel ineffective in their work with kids, teens and young adults who have complex and extremely challenging behaviors. They desperately want to help these kids and their families, but the behaviors are so extreme and constant…they have no idea what they can offer these families that will actually make a positive difference. After years of encouraging these professionals to shift their focus away from behaviors, and to instead think "brain" first, it became impossible to ignore the transformative impact this shift was having on their work and their client relationships.
From this insight, the Think Brain First training program was born.
THINK BRAIN FIRST ™
is an intensive training and consultation program designed for professionals and organizations who serve individuals (and families) impacted by brain-based differences and challenging behavioral symptoms so that these professionals can feel less burnout and hopelessness in their work with their most complex clients and so that more families have this support available to them, allowing true healing to begin.
Families Are Desperately Searching for Help That Doesn’t Exist—Yet
For parents and caregivers raising children with one of the tens of thousands of brain-based conditions, the journey is often marked by desperation, exhaustion, and heartbreak.
They go from provider to provider, school to school, system to system—trying to explain what they see, searching for someone who understands. All too often, they’re met with blank stares, blame, or harmful advice rooted in a traditional behavioral lens that only makes things worse.
They are desperate for support, but not just any support. They want to know where to find professionals who understand their child, teen, or young adult from a Brain First lens.
The truth is, this support does not exist in most communities. Most systems are not equipped to serve families living with these complex, brain-based realities. There’s a massive gap in professional training and in compassionate, research-informed care.
Think Brain First ™ exists to fill that gap.
This training and consultation program was created to bridge the divide between science and support—between what we now understand about the brain and nervous system and how to respond from a Brain First informed lens. By equipping professionals and entire organizations with the tools and knowledge to truly understand brain-based behavior, we begin to restore hope to families who’ve spent years searching, hoping, and waiting. Until they met you!
This training should be required for anyone who works with kids.
- Alisha, past training participant
If You Work with People...
Then You Work with People Living with Fragile Nervous Systems and Brains That Work Differently
There are tens of thousands documented reasons why the nervous system and brain can be changed in function and structure, both prenatally and postnatally. What do all these conditions have in common? Behaviors reflect these neurobiologically-based changes. In other words, behaviors are the symptoms that reflect one’s unique neurobiology.
And it’s so much more common than we think.
It's estimated that over 3 billion people worldwide live with a neurological condition, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), neuroimmune conditions (like PANS/PANDAS), and seizure disorders, making brain-based conditions the leading cause of ill health and disability globally.
This represents over 1 in 3 people living with a brain that works differently than society expects. And it’s no wonder your classroom, therapy rooms, clinics and other places that care for kids and teens experiences the same.
The Invisible Reality is this: Most of These Conditions Are Misunderstood as “Behavioral Issues”
Think Brain First is here to change that.
The statistics reveal a staggering number of individuals with serious neurobehavioral conditions, many of whom:
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Appear “neurotypical” with the exception of their challenging behavioral symptoms
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Are misunderstood as “noncompliant” or “intentionally disruptive”, “selfish” or “lazy”
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Are punished for their brain-based disability, which only escalates their behavioral symptoms
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Experience exclusion, suspensions, expulsions, restraint, and placement breakdowns across systems
Think Brain First shifts the paradigm by educating the professionals and organizations who are the first line of contact for these individuals with complex behaviors and their families, so that they know what actually “works” to help calm down the challenging behavioral symptoms.
Robyn Gobbel, MSW
Author, Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain Body Sensory Strategies that Really Work
Founder, The Baffling Behavior Training Institute
I’ve never met a clinician with as much personal and professional expertise in brain-based differences, who also has a knack for compassionately and comprehensively breaking down complex brain science, as Eileen. Kids with neurobehavioral disorders and other brain-based differences often present for treatment with professionals who have little to no training in taking a brain-first approach. Eileen’s new Think Brain First training program is filling a crucial gap.
We shift the paradigm through
Think Brain First™ Training & Consultation
Both of which equip professionals with the tools, mindset, and knowledge to recognize brain-based symptoms as a brain and nervous system that works differently and respond with science-informed strategies rooted in empathy, neuroscience, and best practices.
TRAINING
Two Levels for Sustainable Change
Level 1: Think Brain First Specialist Training
Duration: Two full days (virtual)
This immersive, foundational training is designed for any professional who works with individuals who may exhibit confusing or challenging behavior due to a brain-based difference or disability. You’ll leave with a new lens and a set of concrete strategies and effective tools you can implement immediately in your day-to-day work.
You’ll learn:
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The foundational components of the Brain First approach
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The science behind the brain and nervous system’s connection to behavioral symptoms
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How to move from the general model to the specifics and assess what specific cognitive skills your client or student lags behind in (leading to challenging behavioral symptoms)
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Exactly how to incorporate information about your child or student’s unique neurobiology to your treatment plan and work with them.
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Interventions to employ inside and outside challenging moments with a client or student including the step-by-step process of building meaningful and effective accommodations
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Process for building a stronger client/provider or student/teacher relationship
REGISTER here for Level 1 (June 19 and 20)
Meets 9 am - 4 pm PT both days.
One payment of $997
Two monthly payments of $499
Level 2: Think Brain First for Advanced Practitioners
Duration: One full-day training (virtual) + 6 months of Community of Practice group consultation
* Level One Specialist Training is a prerequisite for the Advanced Practitioner training, and is included in the total cost below.
For those ready to go deeper into their work by supporting the parents of kids, teens, and young adults with neurobehavioral conditions, this advanced track offers continued learning, implementation coaching, case consultation and collaborative problem-solving with other committed professionals who are also committed to working with parents.
You’ll gain:
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A deeper understanding of the clinical issues impacting parents of complex kids, teens and young adults
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Advanced tools for working with parents as you help them shift their perspective to a Brain First Parenting™ lens.
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How to structure sessions with parents and create treatment goals and plans that help them move forward in their Brain First Parenting journey.
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Opportunities for case consultation and peer learning in a monthly, 75-minute Community of Practice calls.
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Certification as a Think Brain First Advanced Practitioner, with the opportunity to renew certification every 2 years. Each Advanced Practitioner will be included in the Think Brain First directory of trained professionals.
REGISTER Here for Level 1 and 2 (June 19, 20, & 27)
w/ 6 months of calls the 3rd Wednesday of each month,
10am PT/1pm ET from July - December
One payment of $2397
Four monthly payments of $599
CONSULTATION
For Leadership & Systems Change
Change starts at the top. We partner with leaders and administrators in agencies, schools, clinics, and healthcare systems to reimagine policies, care models, and culture through the lens of Think Brain First. The fact is, challenging behaviors take up valuable resources within an organization and lead to burnout and turnover amongst staff. Implementing a framework that reduces challenging behaviors and empowers staff shifts this dynamic and benefits the organization at every level.
Our leadership consultation services include:
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Strategic planning for trauma-informed, Brain First systems of care
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Policy and procedural audits to ensure alignment with the Brain First model
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Staff training integration and sustainability planning at every level of leadership in the organizational structure
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Consultation regarding shifting culture to be more neuroscience informed, resulting in more compassionate, effective care delivery
National & International Partnerships
Scaled for Agencies, Corporations, Healthcare Systems & School Districts
Think Brain First™ Training is Designed For:
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Teachers & Special Educators
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Mental Health Therapists
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Social Workers & Case Managers
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Parent Coaches
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Foster & Adoption Professionals
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Pediatricians & Healthcare Providers
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School & Agency Leaders
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Residential Treatment Facility Staff
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Juvenile Justice & Court Professionals
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Anyone who works with individuals impacted by brain-based differences
Eileen Devine expertly weaves deep wisdom with hard-earned experience in all of her trainings. Her Think Brain First framework equips professionals with the solid foundation we need to navigate kids’ big feelings… and the big behaviors that come with them. You’ll leave with more compassion, clarity, and confidence for the work ahead.
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH
Author, Founder of BraveBrains
GET STARTED
Meet Eileen
Founder and CEO of Brain First Parenting™
& the Think Brain First™ Training Program
Every day I hear from families all over the world impacted by neurobehavioral conditions. They are desperate for support, but not just any support. They’re looking for professionals who understand their child, teen, or young adult from a Brain First lens.
I also hear from those on the other side of this equation, the frontline professionals and leaders of organizations who desperately want to be the life-changing support these kids and families need, but feel ineffective in their work and as though they are always hitting dead ends.
The behavioral symptoms their clients or students exhibit feel overwhelming and draining, especially when they’ve exhausted all the current tools in their toolkit. They know there has to be a better way to serve these complex kids and their families that’s more than just implementing behavioral modification techniques we’ve all been conditioned to believe is the only way to “manage” challenging behaviors. Instead, they’re motivated to find a more hopeful and clear path in their work with these clients that creates meaningful change.
That’s why I created Training & Consultation to help you and the families you serve Think Brain First.
After working with thousands of families over the last 13 years, all of whom have kids with serious neurobehavioral conditions and challenging behaviors, I can say with full confidence that change is possible for even your most behaviorally complex clients and their families, but it requires a different approach that at it’s foundation, considers the brain/behavior connection.
What these students, clients, and families need are people just like you, who can see them through a lens that is rooted in neuroscience research - a Brain First lens.
Whether you are a frontline professional or an administrator, I am excited to be on this journey with you. Together, we can reduce unnecessary suffering and create a more compassionate and understanding world for our most vulnerable clients who are living with brain-based differences.
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Who is the Think Brain First Training for Professionals for?This program was designed for any professional working with children, teens, young adults and families. We train healthcare professionals, therapists, parent coaches, educators, home visitors, community health workers, residential treatment facility staff, juvenile justice personnel and behavioral health professionals of all kinds.
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How long is the training?The Level One training is two-full days. Graduates of Level One have the opportunity to apply for the Level Two Advanced Practitioner Training which is an additional full-day followed by six months of monthly, 75-minute Community of Practice calls.
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I am a leader of an organization that would like to have my staff trained in Think Brain First. What are the next steps to do this?For organizations that would like to host a Think Brain First training for their staff, the next step is to reach out to Eileen and her team at hello@eileendevine.com to begin the planning process. She and her team will work with you to understand the population your organization serves in order to tailor the training to your agency’s unique mission and work. We can’t wait to bring this training to your organization!
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Do you offer CEUs or any other type of continuing education?We do not currently offer continuing education. However, we happily partner with organizations to provide necessary information so that they can apply for continuing education that fits their organizational needs.
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Is the training in-person or virtual?We do both! We’ll be honest in saying that we LOVE in-person training whenever possible. But we know that not all organizations can offer in-person support, and we also know that virtual training can increase accessibility for some groups. So, we work with agencies, departments and school districts to deliver the best-fit training for your organization.
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What do participants receive as a result of going through the Think Brain First training?Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of what it means to support individuals with neurobehavioral conditions in a way that is in alignment with the client's unique neurobiology, resulting in greater success for the client as well as less burnout for providers. The Think Brain First training provides the theory and framework necessary to work with clients through a Think Brain lens, but unlike many trainings, it doesn’t end there. Think Brain First also provides participants with the necessary tools to integrate this model into their work from Day 1.
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Is there on-going support offered after the training?The Level Two Advanced Practitioner training includes 6 months of monthly, 75-minute Community of Practice calls which provide continued learning, implementation coaching, case consultation and collaborative problem-solving with other professionals committed to working with parents. All graduates of Level One Think Brain First training have the opportunity to register for the Level Two Advanced Practitioner track.
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How much does the training cost?The training costs vary depending on the size of the organization. Training costs for the Level One training is $997 for a single provider and ranges from $748-997 per person, plus the cost of the venue, consultant fees, and printing of tools and handouts for agency-hosted trainings. The Level Two Advanced Practitioner training is an additional cost of $1400 per participant, which includes the 6 months of additional, on-going support.
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Why should my agency or department invest in this training?When we begin to understand individuals from a Brain First lens, outcomes related to their treatment and well-being improve, because we can see clearly what they need in order to thrive in programs and their environments. Positive outcomes include: a decrease in challenging behavior-related issues, higher rates of treatment compliance, lower rates of adoption disruptions and/or failed foster care placements, higher rates of “graduation” or completion of treatment, and decreased burnout amongst staff working with these complex individuals and their families.
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Is this a Train-the-Trainer program?This program is not designed to be a train-the-trainer program. It is intended for professionals who want to integrate the Think Brain First framework into their work with clients or students, management of their teams, and culture of their organization.