A Supporter's Toolbox With Stacy L. Nonnemacher, PhD

The Two-Handed Clap: A Supporter's Role in Navigating Healthcare

Stacy emphasizes the critical role supporters play in helping individuals navigate healthcare by preparing in advance, supporting self-advocacy, and ensuring clear, respectful communication. By combining preparation with person-centered support, supporters can help ensure individuals are heard, respected, and better equipped to navigate healthcare experiences.

The 3 Rs of Crisis: Regulate, Relate, and Reason

Stacy draws on Dr. Bruce Perry’s “3 Rs” framework—regulate, relate, reason— emphasizing that supporters must first manage their own emotions to help others feel safe, then validate their experience, and only afterward reflect and problem-solve. By understanding what soothes, validates, and teaches each person, supporters can help expand a person’s Window of Tolerance, strengthen emotional regulation skills, and respond more effectively during future crises.

Points of Influence: Finding Places as a Supporter

Stacy encourages supporters to recognize their “points of influence.” She encourages supporters to be educated and understand they have influence that can meaningfully impact outcomes for someone. Ultimately, she challenges listeners to step outside their lane and use their influence to help people receive comprehensive, coordinated support.

Being Prepared: Creating a Plan for Crisis

Stacy emphasizes the importance of proactive, person-centered crisis planning to prevent escalation and improve outcomes when challenges arise. By planning ahead, when the person is calm and involved in the process, supporters can build trust, increase self-awareness, and reduce the likelihood of hospitalizations or law enforcement involvement.

The Right Questions, Better Support

Stacy sits down with self-advocate, Perri Spencer, to explore how asking the right questions is essential to providing the right support. Through Perri’s lived experiences, particularly in medical and mental health settings, the conversation highlights how vague language, unclear timeframes, and abstract rating scales can lead to misunderstandings and inadequate care. Together, they underscore that effective support begins with listening, knowing the person, and communicating in ways that are precise, respectful, and accessible.