'My Hidden Chimp' is based on 'The Chimp Paradox' by Prof. Steve Peters. It introduces the concept of the 'Chimp' as the emotional, impulsive part of our brain, contrasted with the 'Human' part, which is rational and logical.

Following this, Prof. Steve Peters has then written a book called 'The Hidden Chimp' which aims to support teachers and parents to educate and help children to understand how they are feeling and how to manage this. 

The main idea of 'My Hidden Chimp' is that parts of our brain are controlled by our chimp and other areas of our brain are controlled by us. So the undesirable emotions (anger, sadness, anxiety, worry, etc) are controlled by the chimp. Through this course, the children are both taught and are self-led to gain an understanding of how to work with their chimp to change the decisions and outcomes of situations they find themselves in on a daily basis. 

For example- 

•  laying in bed worrying and getting worked up that there is a monster under the bed. What would you tell your chimp in order to change how you are feeling about this?
• Someone at school has made you really cross in football. Your chimp wants to go over and push them/ say things you shouldn't. What would you do/say to change how you react in this situation?
• Mum/dad have said it's time to get off the playstation. You aren't happy with this decision and get cross and start shouting at them. What do you say to your chimp to change how you react, for a better outcome?

These are all strategies that I work with the children to achieve. This can be done in a 1-1 or a group session.