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Case Study: Navigating Emotions
Teresa Michele Pennison
Liberty University
CCOU302: Christian Counseling for Children (D01)
Professor Karen Dudley
April 7, 2025
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Case Study Navigating Emotions
The following is a case study of a six-year-old girl named Claire, her mother, and their
interaction at a grocery store: Claire asked nicely for a lollipop while she and her mother were
grocery shopping, and her mother kindly but firmly told her she could not have the lollipop.
Claire continues to beg and is consistently given the response “no.” Claire escalates and raises
her voice, declaring that she was given one the last time they were at the store and that it is
unfair. Her mother tries to calm her down, but she eventually starts to raise her voice and rushes
Claire out to their car in an effort to avoid the staring customer.
The "upstairs brain," which is the prefrontal cortex, is responsible for advanced thinking
skills such as logic, reasoning, impulse control, and making decisions. In contrast, the
"downstairs brain," encompassing the brainstem and limbic system, manages more instinctive
functions, including emotions, survival instincts, and fundamental reactions to different
situations. In young children, these two regions of the brain often do not function together
effectively. When a child feels upset or overwhelmed, the downstairs brain frequently takes
charge, leading to strong emotional responses such as fear, anger, or distress, while the upstairs
brain has not yet matured enough to help control these feelings. This disconnection can result in
behaviors or outbursts that appear to be out of control. As explained in the book The Whole-
Brain Child written by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, the objective is for parents,
caregivers, or educators to assist in merging the upstairs and downstairs brain. This merging
enables children to manage their emotions more effectively and react more logically to stress.
Techniques such as discussing feelings with the child, providing reassurance during times of
distress, and promoting introspection on their emotions contribute to enhancing the bond
between these two brain regions.
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One of the best approaches to managing an upstairs tantrum is to set clear boundaries and
discuss why the behavior is unacceptable and what a proper response should entail. It has been
reported that Claire often struggles to accept "no," which suggests that her upstairs tantrum is a
reaction influenced by her last visit to the store when she was given a lollipop.
Due to Claire’s history of emotional outburst when told no we will help mom to learn and
master three different techniques when faced with these situations.
The first strategy we will attempt to employ with Mom will be to Connect and redirect:
When your child is experiencing distress, prioritize emotional connection by engaging with her
right brain. Once she has regained composure and is more open to communication, introduce
lessons and discipline that appeal to her left brain. (Siegel & Bryson, 2011). Mom will set clear
boundaries before entering the store by telling Claire that they are only there for groceries, Mom
will also ask Claire to repeat what she just said. If Claire becomes upset during the trip, Mom
will acknowledge Claire frustration over being told No. Mom will do this by mirroring Claires
feelings by validation, once she connects with Claire, she will then remind her that they are here
to get only groceries, however, to help Claire to feel as if she has some control over the situation,
Mom will also redirect Claire to help her with putting items on the conveyer belt at the store like
a big girl.
The second strategy that we will employ with Mom to help with Claire’s outburst is
Integrating Memory by Remember to remember. This strategy encourages your children to
strengthen their memory by providing them with plenty of opportunities to practice recalling
information. (Siegel & Bryson, 2011). On days where errands will be run, Mom will start telling
Claire throughout the day expectations for behavior. Example: Claire, we are going to the store
today, we are only getting a few items, no treats today. Repeating this to the child along with
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asking the child to repeat back to you what the expectation is will help the child to remember the
boundary that has been set. This should be done several times before leaving the house and at
least twice more in the car.
The third strategy will employ with Mom is Integrating Self and Other by employing the
strategy to connect through conflict. Using this strategy will allow Mom to see conflict as
something to steer clear of, considering it a chance to help your children learn important
relationship skills. (Siegel & Bryson, 2011). When Claire has difficulty with emotional
outbursts, Mom will make sure that Claire is in a safe space and then will go to the next room so
that she can gather her emotions. Once Claire has regained control of her emotions, Mom will
return and in a calm, firm manner will explain to Claire how her outbursts are hurtful. Mom will
identify the situations or problems that often trigger conflicts or tantrums and try to either steer
clear of them or be ready for them. Whenever possible Mom will offer options to enhance
Claire’s feeling of control and lessen her frustration.
As a parent, dealing with a child's tantrum can feel incredibly overwhelming and intense.
It's crucial to focus on emotional regulation, brain integration, and a good dose of patience to
help children not just cope but truly flourish.
