Greenspan ‘Office Hours’ Discussion Groups

The Stanley I Greenspan MD Inc. Office Hours Discussion Groups offer interactive, small-group learning environments designed to deepen practitioners’ and caregivers’ mastery of the Greenspan/DIR™ Model and The Greenspan Floortime Approach®. Structured around three distinct categories—Conceptual (The Big Picture), Application (Video Review), and Skill-Expansion (Profile Analysis)-these sessions bridge theoretical understanding with practical, clinical execution.

Program Summary Matrix

Group Category	Core Purpose	Primary Source Material	Primary Outcome
Conceptual (The Big Picture)	Deepen theoretical understanding and domain integration	Key articles, core concepts, and illustrative examples	Clear conceptual framework and strategic understanding
Application (Video Review)	Apply the bascis of FtL, challenge nad expand, staging, and counter-regulation techniques	Trainee-submitted session videos	Enhanced interaction skills and self-reflection fidelity
Skill-Expansion (Profile Analysis)	Assess functional levels and design targeted treatment	Trainer and trainee clinical video analysis	Accurate profile mapping and individualized goal design

1. Conceptual: “The Big-Picture” Discussion Groups

These foundational small-group opportunities focus on collectively exploring and discussing key concepts and techniques pivotal to the Greenspan/DIR™ Model. Participants learn to articulate these principles, analyze how integrated developmental areas impact social-emotional health, and connect overarching strategies to real-world scenarios.

Core Focus Areas

• Understanding and explaining core Floortime principles (Relating, Communicating, and Thinking).
• Mapping the interplay between sensory, motor, emotional, cognitive, and social development.
• Identifying functional emotional developmental milestones and sub-capacities.

Learning Objectives

• Core Concepts & Principles: Explain the core concepts of the Greenspan/DIR™ Model and The Greenspan Floortime Approach®, articulating the significance of strengthening Relating, Communicating, and Thinking.
• Developmental Interconnectedness: Describe the relationships across various developmental domains (sensory, motor, emotional, cognitive, social) and how they collectively support social-emotional health.
• Milestones & Sub-capacities: Identify the importance and function 0of the 6 developmental social-emotional milestones (and sub-capacities within each developmental domain) as outlined in the Greenspan/DIR® Model.
• Application & Analysis: Analyze video examples to identify key techniques, evaluate principles used in specific scenarios, apply model insights to interpret children’s behaviors, and generate practical ideas for home, therapy, or classroom settings.
• Critical Thinking & Reflection: Critically evaluate strategy effectiveness based on individual child responses, reflect on implementation challenges with peer and trainer support, and engage in collaborative problem-solving.

2. Application: Video Review Discussion Groups

Video Review groups focus on direct implementation skills by reviewing trainee-submitted session videos. These interactive sessions allow participants to present their work, receive targeted feedback, and refine essential Floortime techniques in real-world contexts.

Core Focus Areas

• Staging the Environment: Organizing space and materials to promote optimal developmental play.
• Following the Child’s Lead: Capitalizing on individual interests to foster interaction.
• Challenging and Expanding: Pushing interactions to higher functional emotional developmental levels.
• Co and Counter-Regulating: Supporting the child’s emotional and physiological regulation during interactions and maintinaing  a continuous interaction.

Learning Objectives

• Implementation Skill Refinement: Analyze and evaluate personal application of Greenspan Floortime® techniques during live sessions and daily interactions with children.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Analyze complex adult-child interactions in submitted videos, identify challenges and growth opportunities, and generate alternative strategies to enhance session effectiveness.
• Professional Growth & Confidence: Build clinical confidence in applying Greenspan Floortime® effectively across diverse child profiles.
• Self-Reflection Skills: Develop structured self-reflection habits to evaluate personal practice and pinpoint targeted areas for ongoing professional development.
• Fidelity & Tool Utilization: Apply the Greenspan Floortime Self-Reflection Video Analysis Form and Fidelity Measure to systematically assess intervention quality and effectiveness.

3. Skill-Expansion: Profile Analysis Discussion Groups

The final type of Discussion Group centers on comprehensive profile analysis. Utilizing session video clips provided by trainers or trainees, participants learn to analyze complex developmental profiles, map individual differences, and construct targeted, goal-oriented treatment plans.

Core Focus Areas

• Mapping functional emotional developmental milestones (FEDMs).
• Assessing sensory/emotional modulation, soesory processing, and motor profile differences.
• Aligning developmental assessment with intervention goals and techniques to ‘challenge’ a child to climb up the develpomental ladder.

Learning Objectives

• Profile Analysis & Interpretation: Accurately assess children’s functional emotional developmental levels and identify individual strengths and vulnerabilities within the Greenspan/DIR™ Model framework.
• Treatment Goal Formulation: Develop individualized, targeted treatment goals based on each child’s unique sensory, emotional, and developmental needs, milestones, and sub-capacities.
• Enhanced Self-Reflection: Continuously reflect on clinical decision-making and interaction choices to drive professional growth.
• Fidelity Measure Integration: Utilize the Greenspan Floortime Self-Reflection Video Analysis Form and Fidelity Measure to evaluate intervention quality and ensure fidelity to the model.