Why should a counselor learn BRICK TALK?
Easy to administer for both the Practitioners and the builders
• Brick Talk is easy to learn and apply. You can start trying it casually which is free of stress. Even if you did not do it right at the beginning, the worst possible scenario would be becoming a simple brick-building activity which could still serve as a stress release for the client. In short, it rarely brings negative impacts to clients and it is a safe methodology for Practitioners to learn, practice and gain experiences from. • During the building process, the client can change or modify the model whenever he wants. He can enjoy the autonomy to think freely without boundaries. He can have unlimited opportunities to build and modify. Because of its simplicity in usage and powerful effects, Brick Talk works just well for both beginners and experts.
Widely accepted by service users
• Most people should have played brick toys before, and LEGO® is popular worldwide. Participants may not be a fan of LEGO®, but very few of them would resist playing it. In most cases, we received little resistance when we introduced Brick Talk to the clients. Apart from LEGO® bricks, we can always use other similar tools such as Playmobil or any other toy bricks. Of course, it is not a must to use LEGO®. A Brick Talk Practitioner can make use of other building bricks and apply the skills of Brick Talk to achieve similar results. • During the process, model-building is mainly used for facilitating thinking and idea expression. We do not and need not build fancy or complicated models. We do not even encourage clients to build highly authentic models. Advanced building skills are not necessary in Brick Talk. Everyone can build, regardless of their age, gender, education background, mother tongue or race. Brick Talk is a methodology suitable for all. •A Brick Talk Practitioner is not required to be an experienced bricks builder. Instead, one needs to develop sensitivity and skills in observation, questioning and facilitation. We call it Brick Sense.
A safe environment is created for the builders
• In conventional counseling, we focus on talking and listening to the client. In Brick Talk, the models built on the table provide another discussion focus. The Practitioner can utilize the bricks and models to externalize the conversation. It is a powerful means especially when the client shares about sensitive or traumatic topics. For example, when a model about the client’s family or working place is built, he can express his ideas through the external model rather than describing a family member or colleague directly. Clients can also build a model to represent an imagined character. •Externalization of conversation is also useful in self-expression. When the client builds a model representing himself, during the discussion process, both the Practitioner and the client can discuss how the model thinks and reacts, instead of directly focusing on the client. In that case, rather than sharing personal stories directly, the client can share stories of the brick models, which facilitates problem-person differentiation and increases the sense of security in the narrative process. This arrangement allows the client to feel safer and more comfortable. • Besides, when the discussion topic is about a problem or trauma, focusing on the model can help to externalize the problem. Clients can have more sense of space and security to face their obstacles and find the way out. • Brick Talk works very well for children. Similar to play therapy, Brick Talk allows children to talk about toys and games during the process. In Brick Talk, Practitioners can easily calm the children down by letting them play with the building bricks freely for some time. Practitioners can also adopt play therapy sessions using the bricks.
Clear steps and procedures
• Brick Talk’s methodology has a clear flow and techniques. Experienced counsellors can easily understand how to integrate the Brick Talk approach with the intervention skills that they have already acquired. For fresh Practitioners, they can learn the knowledge and skills through taking official courses in a systematic way. Practitioners will not only understand the way to develop Brick Sense, but also how to ask questions and explore builders’ perspectives. • In the Brick Talk training course, we illustrate the procedures step-by-step so you may get familiar with the skills required and learn the knowledge. We also explain the background in detail so you can understand the rationale and core beliefs behind. In the training course, we cover basic to advanced concepts of Brick Talk in the simplest ways possible. As you follow along with our recommendations, you will realize the reasons behind each step we take and each question we ask. • For advanced Practitioners, Brick Talk offers training for handling different clientele, such as the youth, students with special education needs, parents, persons suffering from emotional disturbances, etc.
Effective for exploration
• Using non-verbal approaches in supporting conventional therapies is common in our society. Such approaches include art, writing, sandplay, clay, puppetry, non-directive and directive play. Brick Talk provides a new “language” which helps to break the habitual thinking and communication patterns of the builders. Builders use bricks and models as alternatives to express their thoughts. Brick Talk is useful for self-expression especially when some clients find it difficult to express themselves in the conventional “talk therapy” or when that approach has become ineffective. It also helps to broaden the clients’ exposure and facilitate the process of finding resources. • In some cases, we use Brick Talk to deal with issues that are hidden within the subconsciousness, beyond the reach of language. For example, vague, traumatic or embarrassing issues. It can also be helpful for clients who grew up in a family environment where there is a strict code against talking about feelings or issues that may bring negative impacts.
Thoughts and feelings are visualized
• During the building process, the builders are actually projecting their thoughts and ideas onto the models. The models we build help us make our ideas observable. Both the Practitioner and client visualize their thoughts and feelings, and the situation or problem becomes clearer. The building process enables us to have new angles and perspectives to understand an issue, and have better chances of identifying solutions. Also, when we are building with the bricks, the bricks that we pick as well as the unfinished model will become stimulants to our mind. We can either go with the flow or change our mind according to the popped-up ideas.
It is fun and attractive
• Brick Talk is an attractive tool with countless color and shape combinations. Building is playing. Regardless of age, one can always find moments of joy in playing with toy bricks. The process of model creation makes counseling more fun and engaging. Telling stories about the models also lead to fruitful discussions. Thus, the intervention process can be smooth and effective and the clients will usually be self-motivated to think and build. We found that, comparing to when the clients undergo traditional counseling, the descriptions of the scenarios often become more positive, or less negative, when the clients make use of toy bricks. • The appearance of colorful bricks enhances energy and the sense of hope. We often find that Brick Talk has its magical power for participants with a depressed mood.
BRICK TALK ...
BRICK TALK is a counseling facilitation methodology which enables and encourages expressions and generates insights through building, observing and interpreting a three-dimensional model with the use of bricks.
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The BRICK TALK approach is a methodology which facilitates thinking, feeling, communication and problem-solving. It also creates a safe environment for counseling.
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The name “BRICK TALK” means using bricks as a tool to enhance the effectiveness of the counseling
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BRICK TALK is suitable for case work, couple counseling as well as group work. It is also appropriate for different ages. It is a helping and healing process and very often involves heavy and serious topics.
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BRICK TALK is a systematic method of using external aids. The assistance offered by visual tools such as bricks and models can greatly enhance the communication of contents and deepen the self-exploration process. BRICK TALK deepens the reflection process and enables effective communication for every user.
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It is well established that humans can learn via receiving and organizing information through different senses, such as visuals, sounds, touch, etc. In BRICK TALK, we believe in the client’s internal resources that the client can make use of the resources not just by thinking but building with hands.
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It has a general framework of using bricks as a language to communicate with oneself and others. It also provides specific approaches for topics such as:
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Self-understanding
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Emotion ventilation
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Narration
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Cognitive and concept exploration
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Relationship settlement
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Strategic planning and decision making
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Action planning, momentum building and task initiation
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Through visualizing the concepts or models in mind, users will understand their subconscious feelings and connect their feelings better.
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By building symbolic and metaphoric models with bricks, users can gain insights to break habitual routines and create more innovative ideas.
We Believe ...
Characteristics
of BRICK TALK
1. Build with purposes / start with questions
BRICK TALK is not a free-play process though we know free-play can serve some therapeutic purposes. We adopt the BRICK TALK methodology with a clear and specific therapeutic goal.
2. The client decides the meanings of the model
Practitioners do not have the answers, but the clients do. As a BRICK TALK Practitioner, we will make assumptions of the model through observation and sensations, and we will test our hypotheses by asking the client to confirm or clarify the meanings. Practitioners should not take anything for granted even though sometimes the model may look obvious. If the client says a model represents something specific, then it is what it is!
3. Focus on the model, not the person
The role of a BRICK TALK Practitioner is to help the clients quickly learn how to use the bricks as an enhanced form of communication, and help the clients constantly focus on the bricks. Practitioners should facilitate the clients to share about and question the model but not the person himself/herself. The focus must be on the model and the story around the model rather than on the person. Prescribe based on what is presented, explore the meanings behind and generate insights for the client.”
4. Always accept changes. There is no wrong answer.
There is no wrong model and no right or standard way to build. The appearance of the model is not the focus. Allowing the builders to change their models or even change the meanings of the models whenever necessary is encouraged.
5. The process and products are equally important
It is vital that the clients learn how to communicate, share and describe through building the models. Apart from what the model is defined to be, the building process is also important. The Practitioner can observe the building process, understand the construction journey and use it to formulate relevant questions for the client.
