Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You remove the girl from the class.
You call the girl's parents and let them know that as much as you want
to have their daughter in your group, you are afraid for the safety of the
other children. You offer to provide dance therapy to the girl in
individual sessions instead.
The girl's parents are offended by your attitude. They say they cannot
afford to pay for individual sessions for their daughter. You are firm. Eventually
they decide that they will go somewhere else to seek help for their daughter.
You are sad that they don't like your decision, but you're also relieved
that the other children will no longer have to deal with the little girl's
angry, violent outbursts.
Later that day, you receive a phone call from the girl's parents.
They say they understand why their daughter was removed from the class. They've
decided to find a way to pay for private sessions with you.
As weeks go by, the girl's outbursts slowly fade away and you develop
a good relationship with her and start to see more results. In time, she may
be able to get back to the regular group sessions.
Sunita Romeder owns her own dance therapy company and says that sometimes
saying "no" is for the best. "It's hardest to tell someone they can't
come into a group they want to join," says Romeder.
"It is difficult because the person is very convinced that they want to
be in the group, and I know he or she isn't ready yet. You have to be
very aware of yours and other people's emotions."