Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
General Information
Title: Bullies to Buddies: A Resilience-Based Approach
Presenter: Izzy Kalman, M.A., Certified School Psychologist
Dates: December 1, 2025. 2:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Venue: Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott - 1 Hotel RD, Newark, NJ 07114
CE Credits: 2.5
Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
Description
This workshop introduces clinicians and educators to Izzy Kalman’s well-known Bullies to Buddies resilience-based model for addressing bullying and social conflict. Rather than relying on punitive, surveillance-heavy, or zero-tolerance frameworks, Kalman’s approach teaches children how to develop emotional resilience, reduce victim-thinking, and handle interpersonal conflicts with confidence and skill. The presentation explores why conventional anti-bullying programs often fail or worsen peer dynamics, and how empowering children, with adult coaching, creates healthier, more durable social functioning.
Grounded in psychological principles, social-emotional learning, and practical behavioral strategies, the training provides clinicians with concrete tools for helping children respond effectively to teasing, rejection, provocation, and exclusion. Participants will learn how to teach “win-win” conflict resolution, coach children in regulated responses, and guide parents and educators to avoid well-intentioned behaviors that inadvertently reinforce bullying. The workshop addresses peer hierarchy, social power, emotional reactivity, group behavior, and culturally sensitive applications within Jewish school settings. Case examples, demonstrations, and role-plays help clinicians integrate these strategies into therapy, school consultations, and parent guidance.
Izzy Kalman, CSP, is an internationally recognized expert on bullying prevention and resilience-building. A school psychologist by training and the developer of the Bullies to Buddies program, he has spent over 30 years teaching children, parents, educators, and mental health professionals how to handle bullying, teasing, and social conflict through empowerment rather than punitive approaches. His methods have been used in schools around the world, and he is widely known for translating psychological principles into simple, practical, and highly effective interpersonal strategies.
Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
Objectives
1. Explain the core principles of the Bullies to Buddies resilience-based model and how it differs from traditional anti-bullying approaches.
2. Identify common adult responses that unintentionally escalate bullying dynamics or reinforce victimhood.
3. Teach children “win-win” conflict-resolution strategies that reduce emotional reactivity and increase social competence.
4. Coach parents and educators on how to support children in managing teasing, exclusion, and provocation without over-involvement.
5. Apply resilience-focused interventions and role-play techniques to help clients handle social conflict effectively in school and community settings.
CE Information
Continuing Education Credits are granted through Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC for the following professions: Psychologists, Social workers, Mental Health Counselors, LMFTs, and LCATs. It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.
Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.
APA
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
ASWB
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC, 2035, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 – 08/02/2028 Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.
NBCC
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting PLLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7503. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
New York State Social Workers
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0785.
New York State Mental Health Counselors
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0195
New York State Psychology
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0072.
New York State Marriage Therapy
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0121.
New York State Creative Arts Therapist
Neuhoff Psychological Consulting, PLLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0112.
References
- Evans, C. B. R., Fraser, M. W., & Cotter, K. L. (2014). The effectiveness of school-based bullying prevention programs: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 19(5), 532–544.
- Dijkstra, J. K., Lindenberg, S., & Veenstra, R. (2018). Beyond the classroom: Bullying behavior in the school lunchroom and hallways. Journal of Early Adolescence, 38(3), 321–345.
- Yeager, D. S. (2017). Social-emotional learning programs for adolescents: A theoretical framework and systematic review. Future of Children, 27(1), 73–94.
Satisfactory Completion:
Participants must have signed in and out, attended the entire workshop to receive a certificate. Failure to sign/log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available electronically after satisfactory course completion. A link will be provided for those who have completed the training.
Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
Policies
Application Deadline: December 1, 2025 or until all training spaces are filled, whichever comes first.
Notification of Acceptance
Applicants will be notified, via email, of acceptance when registration is complete, and payment is received.
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Tuition/registration payments are refundable until December 1, 2025 Cancellations after this date are non-refundable. In this situation, we will attempt to find someone to take your slot (based on our waiting list).
Accessibility
There will be handicap accessibility.
Course level
Level of clinician
Our Grievance Policy for trainings is available here.
Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
Schedule
2:15–2:45 — Strengthening Emotional Resilience in Children
2:45–3:15 — Overcoming Barriers to Effective Bullying Intervention
3:15–3:45 — Cultivating Empathy and Social Intelligence
3:45–4:15 — Interactive Role-Play and Scenario Practice
4:15–4:45 — Integration, Action Planning, and Next Steps
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Bullies to Buddies – A Resilience-Based Approach
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