CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.
Understanding Psycho-educational Assessments = Understanding Your Student ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Do you have a child or work with a student who struggles at school? Psychoeducational assessments combine standardized assessments of a child’s intellectual and academic abilities with the dynamic clinical judgment of a trained psychologist to determine the what, how, and why of struggling students. This process measures overall aptitude and academic achievement around core academic skills and any additional factors that may impact a child at school (e.g., attention and concentration, learning disability, mood, anxiety, etc.) and provides strategies to support them.
Whether a diagnosis is made or not, the information can be used to identify what the child needs to reach their potential. This session will take a deep dive into what caregivers and educators need to know about the psychoeducational process including:
• When and why psychoeducational assessments are done
• The psychological processes that underlie learning: such as language and phonological processing, fine-motor and graphomotor processing, executive functioning, visual-spatial processing, processing speed, working memory, etc.
• The specific academic skills being investigated: including reading, writing, math, language, etc.
• Aspects of social/emotional and behavioural functioning that may be impacting the student: including attention and concentration, depression, anxiety, etc.
• The diagnostic process
• Recommendations, strategies, and accommodations
• Using the psychoeducational assessment report for Individual Education/Program Planning (IPPs, IEPs, etc.)
Easier Than You Think –Workshops for Parents and Natural Supports: Talking to teens about sex, sexuality, and sexual health ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
This session is aimed for parents of 12-18-year-old kids.
The Easier Than You Think programs provide interactive learning to parents on how to communicate with their children on topics related to sexuality and sexual wellness.
Research by SEICUS shows that kids want to hear from their parents about not just sexual activity, but also about love, values, and relationships. This program will provide you with tools to have those important and meaningful conversations with your kids throughout their childhood and teen years.
After participating in this program, parents can expect:
• To feel more comfortable & confident talking with their children about sexuality and relationships.
• To practice basic strategies to effectively communicate with children about sexuality and relationships.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctd-ugqD8qHNAfPeYiAQJyZ3Cl4C8iG0IL
** This presentation is being delivered via Zoom. Please register within the attached poster.**
The Growing Brain: Impact of Mental Health ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Participants will learn:
• The four basic principles of brain development
• About the brain and depression in youth
• A sequence of engagement when working with youth
• Six principles for engaging with youth
A Vicious Cycle: The intersection of Mental Health, Addiction, and Sexual Exploitation ***please register using poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Is a person you know in trouble? Would you know the warning signs? Anyone can be a victim.
“People don’t even know this is happening in our back yard. Right now at Chinook or Sunridge a youth is being groomed”. -Quote from a survivor
Awareness is the best tool to build capacity for prevention in community-based response. Join us for our session, “A Vicious Cycle” and learn about the red flags, resources, and how you can support the prevention of sexual exploitation in your community.
Easier Than You Think –Workshops for Parents and Natural Supports: Parents of 0-11-year-old kids ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
This session will be best suited for parents of children aged 0-11 years old.
The Easier Than You Think programs provide interactive learning to parents on how to communicate with their children on topics related to sexuality and sexual wellness.
Research by SEICUS shows that kids want to hear from their parents about not just sexual activity, but also about love, values, and relationships. This program will provide you with tools to have those important and meaningful conversations with your kids throughout their childhood and teen years.
After participating in this program, parents can expect:
• To feel more comfortable & confident talking with their children about sexuality and relationships.
• To practice basic strategies to effectively communicate with children about sexuality and relationships.
This session will be best suited for parents of children aged 0-11 years old
In this workshop we will reflect, explore, and gain tools to build, grow and maintain your family’s conversations on topics of sexuality, sexual health, and relationships. Topics include language, boundaries, consent and answering questions.
** This presentation is being delivered via Zoom. Please register within the attached poster.**
Brain Science: Sciences of Hope and Resilience ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
This session exists to support caregivers with the fundamental elements of brain science with a focus on the strengths of knowing how this can positively impact children and youth development. The interactive session will provide insight into brain structure and the stress response. In addition, we will explore adverse childhood experiences and Covid-19 as they relate to brain development, while providing information and strategies to build resilience.
From Finsta to FOMO: Understanding Social Media Use in Teens ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world.
Helping your Child Foster a Positive Relationship with Food ***please register using the poster only***
10:00 AM - Noon
This presentation will look at the following:
1. What does having a healthy relationship with food look like?
2. What are warning signs for disordered eating?
3. What can families do to promote a healthy relationship with food?
4. Resource sharing & supports
Promoting Resilience and Self-Regulation (2-7 Years) ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Will discuss tools & stress management strategies to help children learn to recognize and manage their stress and
emotions. Will also speak to how to help children learn to cope with stress and to better express their feelings & emotions while promoting social-emotional development & self-regulation. Learn about stress from a child’s point of view as well as your own stress response, coping skills & the positive effect of taking time for self-care.
Will focus on children 2-7 years.
This session will be offered using Zoom
Helping your Child Foster a Positive Relationship with Food ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This presentation will look at the following:
1. What does having a healthy relationship with food look like?
2. What are warning signs for disordered eating?
3. What can families do to promote a healthy relationship with food?
4. Resource sharing & supports
Earth Play: The Benefits of Outdoor Exploration ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
They don’t call them the great outdoors for nothing! Getting outside is great for both mental health and physical health! This session will provide individuals with information about the benefits of risky play, exploration, and adventure for supporting positive mental health. You will leave this session with practical, age-appropriate ideas to get outside, get moving, and get messy as a family.
Conversations with an awkward spirit: Lived experience with an Aspie ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
In this session we will hear Terri's personal journey, along with practical information around what you may see in school, the home, and the workplace with neurodiverse individuals. True to her commitment to demystifying what was Asperger Syndrome, Terri has a collection of helpful tips and tools that make communities, workplaces and schools more inclusive and considerate, including a discussion about the unwritten rules of social relationships that she has navigated in her life!
Terri's story will not only leave participants with helpful information and the opportunity to hear a new first-hand perspective of neurodiversity, but an overall feeling of joy and gratitude for the "awkward spirit" in everyone's lives. Terri is joined by Amy Tatterton, Director of Learning and Connection at The Sinneave Family Foundation who will be facilitating the moderation, discussion and Q&A of this presentation.
Circle of Security Parenting- Building Secure Attachment ***please register using poster only***
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
What does my child need from me?
How can I support my child's independence?
Why do some of my child's behaviours affect me so much?
Can parenting be less stressful?
The Circle of Security Parenting Program answers these and many other parenting questions. It is an attachment based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. This presentation is designed to give parents an understanding of the goals of the program, help parents to make sense of their child's behaviours, learn strategies to support secure attachment with their children and make parenting less stressful.
ADHD & Executive Functioning: For Children & Youth ***please register using the poster only***
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The session will be an overview of ADHD and how issues with impulsivity and/or inattention impact children's ability to manage their environments. The session will also explore the impact ADHD has on Executive Functioning and how it relates to managing everyday tasks, and meeting daily expectations at home and at school, including social, emotional, behavioural and academic demands.
Executive Functioning: Who’s the Boss? - ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
Executive Functions (EF) are mental processes that help to connect past experience with present action to guide future behaviour. Individuals with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD may experience increased difficulty in the development and use of these functions compared to their same-aged neurotypical peers. These functions underlie activities such as planning, organizing, strategizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and managing time and space. When students struggle in these areas, it can result in behaviours that are often labeled as “attention-seeking”, “defiant”, “showing off”, “unmotivated” or “lazy”, “emotional overreactions”, and “inflexible”, just to name a few.
School can be tough for kids and teens with EF deficits. When the adults in their world understand the how and why of EF deficits and what they can do to maximize the success of these students, it can significantly impact learning, engagement, and motivation at school. With a focus on cognitive neuroscience research and brain-based strategies that you can use to increase student engagement, motivation, and self-management, we will discuss:
• The Executive Functions and how they work
• Discuss the development of EF
• How EF deficits impact students and classroom dynamics
• How to best support students with EF deficits
Supporting Children and Youth through Grief & Loss (Post Pandemic) ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
To watch a child grieve and not know what to do is a profoundly difficult experience for parents, teachers, and caregivers. There are many life experiences that can produce feelings of grief in a child, from the death of a relative or a divorce in the family to more everyday experiences such as moving to a new neighborhood or losing a prized possession. The pandemic has added even more reasons, with children grieving the loss of normalcy and a sense of safety. This session is to help adults counter the false idea of "not feeling bad" and to empower children with positive, effective methods of dealing with loss. We will look at guidelines for helping children develop a lifelong, healthy response to loss and how you can support them through these tough times.
Your Brain on Stress
Online Course
We’ve all felt it…sweaty palms, heart racing, and tunnel vision. It’s stress!
While some stress is good to live a productive life, excessive stress can hijack the body’s usual response system, sometimes leading to mental health problems. Knowing how stress impacts our brain and our bodies helps us understand mental health problems and appreciate that they are real, physical processes in our brains; never “just in someone’s head”. And just like other medical illnesses or injury, brains and bodies can recover with the right support and treatment.
This topic is a continuation of a partnership with Calgary Board of Education and pediatric resident physicians from the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Initially delivered to students and faculty at junior high schools, this webinar aims to include the whole family and close the loop in communication on mental health.
Join us to learn about the stress response system, stress coping strategies and support for mental health, and supporting loved ones who might be experiencing mental illness.
Managing Anxiety within the COVID-19 World
Online Course
This session will outline the difference between worry, stress, and anxiety, and how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect mental health and wellness in teens. The session will also cover clinical presentations of anxiety and provide parents with insight as to what is ‘normal’ and when to seek help from a mental health professional. The session will also cover strategies for parents to assist their youth in navigating this complex world, including stress management, self-care, and strategies for improving executive functioning and resilience.
A Parents’ Guide to Tackling Stress, Anxiety, and Mood: Using CBT Skills to Support Your Children and Yourself
Online Course
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is a well-established way of reducing anxiety, stress, and low mood in adolescents and adults. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to implement practical CBT strategies to support your children and teens in managing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Tools to support parent well-being will also be included in this presentation. By the end you should feel you have strategies that will help you help your kids!
A Parents’ Guide to Tackling Stress, Anxiety, and Mood: Using CBT Skills to Support Your Children and Yourself (Covid-19 edition)
Online Course
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on all of us and as we begin to recover it’s important to work on lingering stress, anxiety, and low mood. Cognitive-behavioural therapy is a well-established way of reducing these issues in adolescents and adults. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to implement practical CBT strategies to support your children and teens in managing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Tools to support parent well-being will also be included as well as examples of how theses strategies can be used in everyday life and how they can be used to support families as we begin to recover from the pandemic. By the end you should feel you have strategies that will help you help your kids!
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Caregivers – What’s it all about?
Online Course
This workshop is about caring for the caregiver. Participants will be taught tools and techniques towards taking care of themselves so that they, in turn, can mindfully connect with their child/young adult. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) processes and how they can support caregivers of neurodiverse individuals (including autism and other developmental differences) will be discussed.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) seeks to help individuals to manage difficult things in their lives and mindfully connect with things that are most important in a way that is loving and respectful. With an introduction to the concept of ‘mindfulness,’ ACT helps to develop a new mindful relationship with unwanted thoughts and feelings. This process helps a person to be more open, and to take action consistent with what they care about.
Adapting after Adversity
Online Course
Normal development happens even during a pandemic. We still grow, change and learn from our experiences. This session explores some of the possible impacts we need to understand about the effects of adversity on neurodevelopment.
Ideas about what we can do to support the healthy development of young people as they adapt to new expectations and opportunities just as we as adults are adjusting from surviving to thriving will also be explored.
Anxiety in the Classroom: strategies and approaches to supporting anxious students
Online Course
Are you a parent, educator, or supportive adult in a child’s or youth’s life? Do you want to better support them in moments when anxious thoughts and feelings are getting in the way of their learning or academic performance?
Learn ideas and strategies around how to help children and youth cope with anxious thoughts and feelings that add to the difficulties in their school days or homework nights. Jory has been a clinical social worker and clinical supervisor for 15 years in the area of school-based mental health and is very familiar with the reality that saying “Don’t worry about it” is more often a hopeful wish than a successful intervention for an anxious child. With a mix of proactive and “in the moment” interventions, this webinar will provide ideas and approaches that will add to the helping adult's toolbox when they are faced with the task of helping a child cope with those worries.
Are they too young? Talking with infants and preschoolers about bodies, relationships and sexuality - ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
The foundation for healthy adult relationships and sexuality is built in infancy and preschool aged children. Learn how you can help support the healthy sexual development in the children in your life by:
• Gaining understanding of the importance of talking about bodies, relationships and sexuality with very young children
• Discuss when and how to talk
• Develop comfort and confidence in using practical strategies and tools
Building Social Connections
Online Course
This presentation will focus on the importance of social connections, reflecting on your existing connections, learning how to strengthen them, and building new connections. As humans, we have a basic need to connect with other people. We will be talking about why social connections are important and the impact of connections on mental and physical well-being. We will talk about practical ways and strategies you can utilize which will help you feel connected in your relationships at work, school, and home. We use the Teaching-Family Model to help teach practical skills such as communication, active listening, maintaining relationships that support learning and lead to long-term outcomes. With the recent changes and adaptations that we as a society have had to make over the last few months, we would like to assist youth, parents, caregivers, families, professionals, and our community in staying connected and incorporating connection building in our everyday lives.
Bullying and ASD
Online Course
Bullying, or peer victimization, is an unfortunate and common experience of those on the spectrum. This session will provide attendees with an understanding of how bullying is currently described, its frequency regarding those on the spectrum, and its impact. Strategies to address these concerns will also be discussed.
Children and Parenting After Separation: Developing Parenting Plans
Online Course
Parenting plans are agreements, court orders and arbitrator awards that set out the rules for how separated parents will care for their children and share their children’s time. This webinar will talk about separated parents can work together to develop parenting plans that are good for children. We'll talk about parenting plans for parents in high levels of conflict and parents in low levels of conflict, some of the important things to include in parenting plans and some considerations that will minimize children's exposure to their parent's conflict.
Children and Parenting After Separation: Hearing the Voice of the Child in Family Law Disputes
Online Course
This webinar is about how children’s views and preferences can be heard when family law problems are being resolved in court and out of court. We will talk about the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, how the Convention gives children the right to be heard, and the research on the benefits to children and parents when children are heard. We will also talk about the strengths and weaknesses of hearing the voice of children through parenting assessments (also called custody assessments and bilateral reports), through shorter views of the child reports and through other options.
Collaborative Problem Solving Approach for Children, Youth and Families
Online Course
Objectives:
1. To learn about the difference between triggers/expectations, lagging skills and challenging behavior.
2. To understand the rationale for helping children and youth develop 5 common lagging skills for better adaptation.
3. To learn the advantages of collaborative vs. coercive approaches with children and youth.
Friend or Foe? How to create healthy relationships with digital devices in the family ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
With the multitude of changes that have occurred in the last year, families are stuck at home and spending a lot of time with their digital devices (e.g., video games, phones, tablets). Parents especially have become concerned about how much time their children and adolescents spend facing a screen, whether it’s on TikTok or playing Fortnite. Some parents may be left wondering, “Are my kids addicted? What do I do? How will this affect them?” Learn from our experts, Tanya Mudry and Jezz Stone, on how to manage the increased use of screens/digital devices from a relational and family perspective. In this presentation, they will discuss tips for families to consider when developing healthy relationships with digital devices.
Gut Feelings
Online Course
Join Dr. Taylor as she speaks to the growing body of evidence examining the link between the bacteria in your gut and mental illness.
She will address this literature and talk about what we know about this branch of science and what we don’t know.
Help! My Child is Struggling in School! - ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
While school can be a place of excitement for some students who look forward to learning new things, school can be a place of tremendous stress and frustration for others. Many students struggle at some point in their schooling journey. However, for those who have ongoing difficulties, their self-esteem, motivation, and engagement in learning can be impaired. Many of these students start to experience self-doubt and anxiety that can result in internalizing difficulties, such as anxiety or depression and/or acting out behaviours. These difficulties not only disrupts their learning, they can also disrupt their relationships with others, as well as their overall well-being and success over the long term.
If you are worried about your child’s learning, or have a child already diagnosed with a learning difference, this workshop is essential. You will learn the different types of learning challenges, the signs to watch out for, and what you can do to maximize your child’s success at school and beyond. Don’t wait – children do not outgrow learning difficulties so it is imperative to ensure they get the support they need as soon as they can.
Helping newcomer youth navigate the process of school integration
Online Course
Immigrating to Canada and entering a new school system is an enormous task for newcomer youth. The process of school integration captures the adjustment of newcomer youth across all aspects of student life – both inside and outside the school context – including English Language Leaning, academic performance, classroom behaviour, social networking, identify negotiation, emotional and familial wellbeing, involvement in school life, and understanding of the educational system. This presentation will focus on strategies to help newcomer youth navigate the numerous social-emotional challenges they face as they integrate into a new school setting.
Helping Your Child Cope with Needles
Online Course
Understanding Needle Phobia in Children and Youth…
Many parents have experienced the dread of taking their children for shots. This issue has become even more apparent for families as the COVID-19 vaccines become available for children and youth. If your child (or you) are scared of needles, please join presenters John Laing and Dr. Mitch Colp of Hexagon Psychology for an engaging discussion about needle phobia in children and youth and learn practical strategies and tips to support yourselves and the children you care for on their vaccination journey.
The presenters will open with a general discussion about how anxiety can impact children and parents as they navigate the dreaded needle, including typical responses to the prospect of receiving a needle and what parents can watch for if they are concerned about their child’s reaction to the thought of an injection. Following this, there will be a discussion of practical strategies to ensure getting a vaccination is as easy and drama free as possible. The discussion will conclude with a Q&A session and a review of the practical strategies discussed throughout.
Let me triple check that: Childhood Perfectionism and Bossing Back OCD
Online Course
This session offers an overview of child and adolescent perfectionism and how intrusive thoughts around “getting it right” can impact a child’s academic and social abilities. The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy technique of Exposure and Response Prevention for parents and/or school personal to help children and/or adolescence to fight back against their obsessive-compulsive symptoms will be discussed along with:
Background information on what Perfectionism and OCD is
Ability to notice signs of perfectionistic tendencies within your child
An understanding of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
Fun and exciting ways to tailor ERP to children/adolescence
Mindfulness: Supporting Your Child’s Social and Emotional Well-being
Online Course
This session will explore the topic of mindfulness and how mindfulness strategies can help support their child’s social and emotional well-being. Explore how our brain’s stress responses (fight, flight, or freeze) may impact our social and emotional well-being and how we can use mindfulness to calm our brain. We will discuss how the brain influences thinking, emotions, self-regulation, and behaviour. Improved social emotional skills using mindfulness can lead to better focus in school, better cooperation with others, improved self-awareness, self-regulation, decrease stress/anxiety, and improve our overall sense of well-being. Through an interactive session, participants will be guided through some mindfulness activities that they can use with their children and explore learning from the MindUP program.
Nurturing stability in the face of uncertainty
Online Course
Families are faced with a variety of challenges due to COVID-19, which can increase relational strain, stress, and anxiety.
With everchanging transitions like school, seasons, and new rules to follow, teens may be feeling some added pressure to adapt.
In this presentation, we discuss supportive tips and considerations for supporting your family under stress, fostering healthy relationships, and nurturing stability when in the face of uncertainty.
Q & A will be addressed throughout the presentation
Jezz Stone is a registered provisional psychologist and PhD candidate in counselling psychology in the Werklund School of Education, with specialized training in family therapy and group facilitation (ADHD, social-emotional/behavioural regulation, and parenting). Outside of her counselling practice, Jezz is involved in research focused on supporting the relational recovery of critical care survivors and their families. Her master’s research focused on mother’s experiences of communicating to their children about the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, which has informed her current dissertation research on familial experiences of COVID-19.
Dr. Tanya Mudry is a registered psychologist and assistant professor of counselling psychology in the University of Calgary's Werklund School of Education. She supervises and trains counselling psychology students, practices family therapy at the Calgary Family Therapy Centre, and has a small private practice. She has specialized clinical training in child and adolescent mental health and family therapy. Tanya’s research and writing have focused on family therapy, excessive behaviours, addiction and recovery from addiction, and relational recovery of critical care survivors and their families.
Panic and Anxiety in Youth: Strategies for families to conquer back-to-school stress
Online Course
Going back to school is both exciting and nerve wracking for youth, and this year will pose more uncertainty than most. This presentation will focus on understanding what panic and anxiety looks like in youth and how it affects activities, such as returning to school. Practical strategies will be offered to youth and caregivers for managing back-to-school worries. As well, tips for reducing parenting stress will also be shared with caregivers.
Part 1: Specific Learning Disorders with Impairment in Reading: What Parents and Teachers Should Know
Online Course
Summary/Objectives:
1. Understand the core components of a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Reading
2. Inform parents and educators about the referral and testing process for psychoeducational assessments
3. Learn about specific evidence-based resources to help students, families and school personnel teams navigate student's unique academic challenges
Part 2: Specific Learning Disorders with Impairment in Written Expression: What Parents and Teachers Should Know
Online Course
Summary/Objectives:
1.Understand the core components of a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Written Expression
2.Inform parents and educators about the referral and testing process for psychoeducational assessments
3.Learn about specific evidence-based resources to help students, families and school personnel teams navigate student's unique academic challenges
Part 3: Specific Learning Disorders with Impairment in Mathematics: What Parents and Teachers Should Know
Online Course
Summary/Objectives:
1.Understand the core components of a Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in Mathematics
2.Inform parents and educators about the referral and testing process for psychoeducational assessments
3.Learn about specific evidence-based resources to help students, families and school personnel teams navigate student's unique academic challenges
PPD 101 – What you need to know about Perinatal Mood Disorder
Online Course
The focus of this presentation will be on discussing the range of the Postpartum experience and all that it can encompass. Focusing on what to look for, how to create space to speak about it, and to spend some time discussing how to support yourself, or a loved one, where this may be a concern. This discussion can never happen too early or too late, and all are welcome to join, wherever you happen to be on your prenatal/postpartum journey.
Putting Stress Under the Microscope: Parenting Stress and Its Relationship to Parenting
Online Course
Saturday morning presentation!
Parenting is rewarding, but is no easy feat. This presentation will focus on the parenting role and will discuss parenting beliefs, parenting practices, and a specific type of stress, known as parenting stress. New lines of research, children's social and emotional development, and parenting strategies will also be covered, with the overall goal of supporting parents' parenting experiences.
Screen time: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly - ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
Many parents struggle with screen time. On the one hand, they know they should limit screens. On the other, they realize that screens are part of kids’ culture. How much is too much? This workshop is critical for all parents who are wondering about the amount of screen time their children have. In this workshop, participants will learn:
• The effects of screen time on the developing brain
• The behavioural outcomes of too much screen time
• How and when technology can be beneficial
Slaying “Examaphobia” How students can approach tests with more confidence and strategies
Online Course
Youth welcome to participate.
Learn how to understand “exam anxiety” as well as strategies to better address stress and improve performance.
This webinar will help us understand how some students often become very stressed and overwhelmed around taking exams. As a mental health clinician and MRU professor who has taught courses in optimal learning strategies, our presenter, Kathy Jarrell is ideally suited to take on this topic. Kathy will address mental health aspects along with practical study and test-taking strategies for students and those who support them.
Let’s take a little time to learn how to learn and slay the dreaded “Examaphobia” dragon!
Starting or changing medication for your child/youth’s mental health? An introduction to genotype-guided prescribing
Online Course
Genotype-guided prescribing uses a person’s genetic information to help find medications that are most likely to be safe and beneficial for them. Some genes make it harder for the body to process certain medications, leading to side effects. Others can cause the body to use up medications too fast and a normal dose may not work. Genotype-guided prescribing can reduce the trial-and-error when selecting mental health medications for children and teenagers.
This presentation will:
• Provide an introduction to this emerging approach to prescribing
• Explain who can benefit from it
• Highlight current research examining genotype-guided prescribing
Taming Anxiety Gremlins using the Anxiety Compass ***please register using the poster only***
Online Course
Anxiety is at epidemic levels among children and is the most common mental health concern they face. Anxiety is not something you outgrow, and early intervention helps minimize later problems with depression and other social, emotional, behavioural, and physical difficulties. Unfortunately, most kids go without effective support until too late, if at all. Since 70% of all mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence, there is a clear need to support our children and youth.
In this workshop, parents, teachers, and professionals will learn how traditional ways of helping children and teens may unwittingly worsen their anxiety. They will also learn about the anxiety compass, which outlines eight essential steps in helping children and teens manage anxiety effectively.
That Kid, Your Child, My Student (Parent Version)
Online Course
Amy Murray, Principal of Early Childhood Education at the Calgary French & International School and author of the blog http://missnightmutters.com, has collaborated with MORE and CES to transform her world-renowned blog on Dear Parent: About that Kid … into a 6-minute video presentation. The purpose of this module is to share with parents what teacher confidentiality is from a teacher’s perspective. Reflection questions are provided at the beginning of this presentation, and as a download, for you to consider how confidentiality impacts teachers, parents and students.
There's no mental health without spiritual health
Online Course
In these uncertain times the usual guide posts of the external world seem to have disappeared. We are therefore left with the possibility of finding new direction by navigating our inner world. At the end of this presentation participants will;
• appreciate the importance of reconnecting with yourself in deeper richer ways
• learn the 5 B words
• apply these words to their personal situation to come up with a plan for greater well-being and spiritual health
Trans & Parent Perspectives: How to support transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming youth
Online Course
Tammy Plunkett (she/her) left her career as a registered nurse to stay home and raise her four children. It turned out that she could only take so much Sesame Street and returned to her first love - writing. After her third child came out as transgender, she focused her work on helping parents of transgender kids. Her next book, Beyond Pronouns: The Essential Guide for Parents of Trans Kids, is due in the summer of 2022.
Kiersten Mohr (she/her) is a speaker, advocate and openly transgender woman in Alberta. After two decades as a geologist and leader in the energy industry, she was inspired and empowered by the positive experience of her gender transition and now passionately uses her visibility and voice to promote positive public awareness and inclusion of transgender and gender diverse individuals.
Introduction - Gender Diversity 101
How do you trust a child to know? Is it a phase?
Is my child okay (medical, psychological, acceptance)?
Where do I start (do we wait until they are 18) and how do I support the transition process?
How does a community (school, city programs, extended family, etc.) support a transgender child?
How do I communicate the change in an affirming, supportive way?
Understanding and talking about teens and risk-taking
Online Course
Teens are faced with making new decisions about risk every day – drugs, alcohol, driving, relationships and sex. Part of growing up is learning how to manage risk and make choices.
Learn how to talk to your teen about risk by:
• Identifying how risk fits into healthy teen brain development
• Using tips for talking about risk so that teens feel heard and included to set limits
• Learning how to teach teens to manage risk to grow and stay safe
LGBTQ2S+: What grandparents need to know and do ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Grandparents and Elders play an important role in the health and well-being of the young people in their lives. You will build on your ability to help all of the youth in your life feel loved, safe and like they belong by learning about:
• SOGIE related terms
• Personal, family and cultural values
• Health, education and social impacts of stigma
• Inclusive language
• Safer family strategies
Earth Play: The Benefits of Outdoor Exploration ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
They don’t call them the great outdoors for nothing! Getting outside is great for both mental health and physical health! This session will provide individuals with information about the benefits of risky play, exploration, and adventure for supporting positive mental health. You will leave this session with practical, age-appropriate ideas to get outside, get moving, and get messy as a family.
Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only***
10:30 AM - Noon
In this 1.5 hour presentation, we will discuss the role of technology and today’s youth. The message of this presentation is not only based on technology, but also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting/caregiver role in creating healthy, emotional, regulated, and integrated brains. This presentation will address the underpinning of a child’s emotional brain development and how to grow it, as well as how technology can dangerously hijack this.
We believe that talking does not grow neurons; experience grows neurons. This workshop is designed to give attendees the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• An understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• The dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• Technology use rules that will help your child
• When building healthy brains, how to identify emotions in your child/student, and
• How to become your child’s/student’s emotional coach in only five steps and in that, build a resilient child.
The presentation is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Managing Stress in the Family: Recognizing Triggers ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
This session will discuss the following:
• Understand the physiology of stress
• Understand and identify triggers in the family
• Learn strategies to manage triggers
• Better understand the mind and body connection
• Learn mindfulness as a way of addressing triggers
• Explore strategies to create emotional regulation in the family
Taming Anxiety Gremlins using the Anxiety Compass ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Anxiety is at epidemic levels among children and is the most common mental health concern they face. Anxiety is not something you outgrow, and early intervention helps minimize later problems with depression and other social, emotional, behavioural, and physical difficulties. Unfortunately, most kids go without effective support until too late, if at all. Since 70% of all mental health problems begin in childhood and adolescence, there is a clear need to support our children and youth.
In this workshop, parents, teachers, and professionals will learn how traditional ways of helping children and teens may unwittingly worsen their anxiety. They will also learn about the anxiety compass, which outlines eight essential steps in helping children and teens manage anxiety effectively.
Mental health for highly sensitive teens; unique struggles for these emotional feelers ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Highly sensitive teens are often misunderstood by parents and teachers as they often have stronger emotional reactions. In this presentation, learn why this happens, and the necessary tools required to help these teens manage their emotions so they don't become derailed.
Friend or Foe? How to create healthy relationships with digital devices in the family ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
With the multitude of changes that have occurred in the last year, families are stuck at home and spending a lot of time with their digital devices (e.g., video games, phones, tablets). Parents especially have become concerned about how much time their children and adolescents spend facing a screen, whether it’s on TikTok or playing Fortnite. Some parents may be left wondering, “Are my kids addicted? What do I do? How will this affect them?” Learn from our experts, Tanya Mudry and Jezz Stone, on how to manage the increased use of screens/digital devices from a relational and family perspective. In this presentation, they will discuss tips for families to consider when developing healthy relationships with digital devices.
Tips and Suggestions for Helping Young Children Transition to New Shared Parenting Plans and Overnight Routines *** Please register using the poster only ***
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Transitioning young children to new shared parenting schedules and overnight routines can be challenging but there are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood of positive outcomes. This presentation will provide education for co-parents on how they can support their young children as they adjust to a new parenting routine. Strategies will include preparing the child for overnight transitions; helping children cope with overnight separations; and developmental indicators for assessing a child's readiness for longer separations.
Getting Pronouns Right: How to be an ally to the gender diverse community ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Has your child asked you to use they/them pronouns? Or have you recently learned that a friend or family member is transgender? This talk will address your biggest initial questions and, more importantly, how to best support a gender-diverse person.
You will learn:
· Why pronouns matter so much today
· That you don’t need to be trans to introduce yourself with your pronouns
· What it means to be an ally
· How to support the transgender people in your life
And more!
Mental Wellness in Pregnancy & Beyond ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Identify normal emotional changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period
• Recognize warning signs of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
• Develop a variety of coping strategies
• Learn about provincial mental health resources
ADHD & Executive Functioning: For in School & At Home Learners ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
The session will be an overview of ADHD and how issues with impulsivity and/or inattention impact children's ability to manage their environments. The session will also explore the impact ADHD has on Executive Functioning and how it relates to managing everyday tasks, and meeting daily expectations at home and at school, including social, emotional, behavioural and academic demands.
Part 1: The Process of Addiction ***please register using poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Defining addiction, the substance use continuum, relationship between addiction and mental health and the impact of COVID-19
and stigma.
Mindful Moments: Building Stronger Family Connections ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
What is Mindfulness?
• This workshop will focus on what mindfulness is and how it can be used to help families to build stronger family relationships
• Mindfulness skills and coaching activities for self-regulation and stress reduction, keeping cool even when children escalate, techniques to manage strong emotions and learning how to be present with your children will also be discussed
Dare to Care: Bully Proofing your Child - ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
When 150,000 students miss school each day because of bullying, we need to address this pervasive and crippling issue more seriously. Bullying behavior is not always easy for adults or children to recognize or define. A fight between friends or siblings, or rough play between children with equal power is conflict, not bullying. Bullying is when a person or group of people repeatedly and intentionally use their power to hurt, embarrass, threaten or exclude another person.
Participants will learn about the scope of the problem and the correlation between bullying, mental illness, and criminal activity. As well, participants will be provided with tips and guidelines to help their children navigate both real world situations and the potentially dangerous digital world that is increasingly becoming part of day to day life. To conclude the evening, parents will be provided with a tool belt of skills to help their children deal with bullying situations.