Workshops

It is becoming a well-known statistic that 1 in 5 Canadians are currently experiencing a mental health issue. What most people are likely unaware of is that employees are 60% more likely to experience a mental health issue than people who are not working.

At Sullivan + Associates, we offer workshops for the general public, as well as for businesses and agencies to help their employees and learn skills and strategies to improve emotional well-being in many different areas. When employees effectively learn these skills, studies show there is a reduction in absenteeism and increased productivity in the workplace.

When offering workshops, we always strive to present our material in an interesting, useful manner, so employees have skills and strategies they can use after the workshop. We also welcome invite audience participation whenever possible, as it helps to make the presentation fun, interactive and promotes learning.

Workshops Come In All Shapes And Sizes

We customize our workshops based on the content and length required by the client. We have completed 45 minute “lunch and learn” presentations, as well as 2 hour, half day and full day workshops.

Free Lunch And Learn/Public Presentations

For businesses and organizations interested in learning more about our mental health workshops, we offer a free 45-minute lunch and learn workshop. The goal of our workshops is to always be informative, interactive and interesting!

For the general public, we offer free workshops several times a year based on public interest in various mental health topics. If there is a topic you are interested in, please contact our clinic, as we may be able to prioritize the development of that workshop as we continue to create content.

What Workshop Topics Are Available?

To date, we have developed a number of different psychoeducational workshops on many different mental health topics impacting children, teens and adults. Below is a list of workshop topics that we have provided for both our corporate clients and the general public.

Addiction

Addiction: The Impact on Family and Friends

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Addiction: The Impact on Family and Friends’, you will learn the following:

  • What is addiction and what does it mean when a substance is addictive?
  • Why do people use addictive substances and how do they become addicted?
  • Reminders for people close to individuals with substance use difficulties
  • The negative outcomes of addiction when it goes untreated
  • How to identify codependency and enabling (it can be hard!)
  • What are the Stages of Change and why are they important?
  • How can we help people experiencing addiction?
  • Treatments available for addiction, including Motivational
  • Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and medication, among others
Addictions: DSM-5 Diagnostic Definitions and Treatment Options

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Addictions: DSM-5 Diagnostic Definitions and Treatment Options’, you will learn the following: (workshop description drops down)

  • Myths about addiction
  • The symptoms of addiction, including impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological impairment
  • Signs that someone is using a substance or withdrawing from a substance
    What makes people more or less likely to experience addiction?
  • Signs of addiction in youth and adults
  • Treatment options for addiction including harm reduction strategies for those who are not ready to quit completely

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What does ADHD look like in Children and Teens?

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘What does ADHD look like in Children and Teens?’, you will learn the following:

  • What does ADHD look like in children and teens, including the three different presentations?
  • How ADHD impacts children and teens in many ways
  • Causes of ADHD, including genetics and brain functioning
  • The history of ADHD and how our understanding has changed over time
  • What is executive functioning and how it is impaired in ADHD?
  • How ADHD can impact other cognitive functions like working memory and processing speed
  • Treatments, supports, and strategies for children and teens with ADHD

Aging

Healthy Aging and Wellness: Strategies to Stay Young Inside and Out

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Healthy Aging and Wellness: Strategies to Stay Young Inside and Out’, you will learn the following:

  • What is aging, including the natural effects and progression of aging
  • How to consider wellness holistically in the context of aging
  • Personal risk factors for unhealthy aging
  • What you can do to reduce the negative effects of aging
  • How you can commit to making lifestyle changes that promote healthy aging

Anger management

Understand Your Anger to Manage Your Anger

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understand Your Anger to Manage Your Anger ’, you will learn the following:

  • What is anger (the good, the bad and the ugly)?
  • How do group members define anger and what is their experience with it?
  • What anger is not (hint-there are things far worse than anger!)
  • Four key components of anger
  • How to better understand anger
  • The importance of identifying patterns and triggers
  • Learn strategies that work!
  • How assertiveness can help you keep your cool

Anxiety and panic

Understanding Anxiety and Panic and How to Manage It

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding Anxiety and Panic and How to Manage It’, you will learn the following:

  • What is anxiety and panic?
  • How anxiety is different from stress
  • Common reactions to anxiety and how it impacts people
  • The different types of anxiety disorders (this is important because different type of anxiety involve different experiences and require different treatment)
  • 7 treatment components that can be utilized to better manage anxiety
  • The power of avoidance and why it is important to not avoid the things you fear
Pushing Through Fear: Learn How To Identify And Help Your Child Cope With Anxiety

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Pushing Through Fear: Learn How To Identify And Help Your Child Cope With Anxiety’, you will learn the following:

  • What is anxiety and what does it look like in children?
  • What is the difference between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder (it’s not always clear!)?
  • Types of anxiety disorders in children
  • General guidelines for supporting your child with anxiety
  • Strategies based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for thoughts, feelings, and behaviours associated with anxiety in children
Teens And Anxiety: Helping Your Child Cope

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Teens And Anxiety: Helping Your Child Cope’, you will learn the following:

  • What is anxiety, including the types, signs and symptoms?
  • What are safety behaviours and how do they maintain anxiety?
  • Practical strategies for helping your teen manage anxiety
  • Additional strategies your teen (or you!) can use for coping with anxiety from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Assertiveness

Being More Assertive: The Key to Effective Communication

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Being More Assertive: The Key to Effective Communication’, you will learn the following:

  • What assertiveness is and what it’s not!
  • The benefits of assertiveness
  • Alternatives to being assertive and why they are affective
  • How these “styles” of dealing with people and situations develop
  • Situations where it is difficult to be assertive
  • How to be assertive (developing skills and strategies)
  • Using assertiveness in difficult situations

Autism

Autism Assessments: When and Why

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Autism Assessments: When and Why’, you will learn the following:

  • What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how common is it?
  • What are the signs and symptoms of ASD?
  • When might you want to consider an assessment for ASD?
  • What does an ASD assessment typically look like?
  • Potential benefits of participating in an ASD assessment

Behavioural issues

Understanding And Managing Challenging Behaviours

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding And Managing Challenging Behaviours’, you will learn the following:

  • The difference between developmentally appropriate behaviours and potentially abnormal behaviour
  • When your children’s behaviour is potentially problematic (we likely don’t need to tell you)
  • What are some strategies to encourage behavioural changes?
  • How can you better understand why your child is behaving the way they do?
  • How can you support your child in managing their behaviour more effectively?
  • The four R’s: Relationship, Regulation, Reinforcement, and Rest

Body image

Body Image Issues and Disordered Eating In Children and Adolescents

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Body Image Issues and Disordered Eating In Children and Adolescents’, you will learn the following:

  • What is body image?
  • How negative body image develops
  • The negative effects of poor body image on youth
  • How to support a youth who is experiencing issues with their body image
  • When difficulties with body image and eating become a disorder
  • Types of eating disorders and their signs and symptoms

Bullying

Youth and Social Media: Risks, Benefits, and Tips for Handling Cyberbullying

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Youth and Social Media: Risks, Benefits, and Tips for Handling Cyberbullying’, you will learn the following:

  • What is social media?
  • The benefits of social media for youth and why it’s so important to them (it’s not all bad!)
  • The risks associated with social media for youth (there is some bad)
  • How social media can impact a youth’s self-esteem and communication
  • Tips for parents and youth on handling cyberbullying

Chronic Pain

Managing Chronic Pain: How Psychology Can Help

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Managing Chronic Pain: How Psychology Can Help’, you will learn the following:

  • The definition of chronic pain and how it is different from acute pain
  • How to understand pain using gate control theory
  • The relationship between distress, activity avoidance, and pain
  • How chronic pain affects people’s lives and wellbeing
  • How to manage chronic pain using a multifaceted approach (hint: it takes time and patience)
  • The importance of self-management, not just medical intervention
  • How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help with chronic pain management

Communication

Communicating Effectively

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Communicating Effectively’, you will learn the following:

  • The difference between “good” and “bad” communication
  • How to engage in empathetic listening
  • Strategies for communicating effectively, including nonviolent communication
  • The four styles of communication
  • Techniques for engaging in assertive communication
  • How to deal with difficult people in an assertive way
  • Strategies for disagreeing constructively and resolving conflict, including styles of conflict resolution and how to effectively identify solutions

Conflict Resolution

Communicating Effectively

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Communicating Effectively’, you will learn the following:

  • What is conflict?
  • Approaches to conflict resolution that don’t work!
  • How to use conflict to create change
  • Key steps to promote conflict resolution
  • How to keep your cool when managing conflict
  • What to do when the other person doesn’t want to resolve the conflict

Coping

Coping During Difficult Times and Living A Meaningful Life

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Coping During Difficult Times and Living A Meaningful Life’, you will learn the following:

  • Evidence-based coping strategies for managing difficult thoughts, feelings, and making behavioural changes when experiencing difficult situations (e.g., the COVID pandemic)
  • Coping with grief and loss including the stages of grief and loss
  • How to identify and increase your level of self-compassion and reduce self-criticism
  • Strategies for increasing and maintaining your self-worth
  • Ways to identify your personal values and engage in committed action towards them
  • How to identify group values and be more assertive in your communication

Depression

Overcoming Depression

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Overcoming Depression,’ you will learn the following:

  • The different types of depression and why this is important
  • The impact of emotions, behaviour, thoughts and psychology on mood
  • How to develop a multi-faceted approach to improve your mood
  • Common negative thoughts and distortions and how to combat them
  • Why you should prioritize time each day to focus on what is going well
  • The problem with thoughts
Changing The Conversation About Depression And Suicide

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Changing The Conversation About Depression And Suicide’, you will learn the following:

  • What is depression, what it is not, and what factors influence its presentation and maintenance?
  • Symptoms of depression, with particular focus on youth and parent accounts
  • The definition of self-harm and reasons why people engage in self-harm
  • What is suicidal ideation and suicidality?
  • Risk factors for self-harm and suicidality
  • How to respond to someone who is engaging is hurting themselves or wanting to die and how to cope yourself
  • Examples of strategies for helping with mood from
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, as well as other helpful options
Helping Teens With Depression: Strategies For Parents

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Helping Teens With Depression: Strategies For Parents’, you will learn the following:

  • How common is depression in teens?
  • What are the rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts?
  • What factors can lead to depression in teens?
  • Signs and symptoms of depression including a case example you might relate to
  • Types of depression and how they often look in adolescents
  • How to communicate with your teen when they are depressed
  • Strategies to help your teen cope with depression
Understanding Depression in Adolescents: How You Can Help

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding Depression in Adolescents: How You Can Help’, you will learn the following:

  • What is depression including specific symptoms
  • How is depression in adolescents different than in adults?
  • What depression feels like from the perspective of a child and their parent
  • How common suicidality is amongst teens
  • How you can support someone experiencing suicidality
  • When to seek external support and the options available
Mood Workshop First Nation Youth Sachigo

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Mood Workshop First Nation Youth Sachigo’, you will learn the following:

  • Types of mood disorders, including depressive and bipolar disorders
  • How mood disorders are different from normal changes in mood
  • Factors that influence mood
  • Treatments available for mood disorders
  • Strategies that can be helpful for adolescents experiencing mood difficulties, particularly Indigenous youth

Difficult People

Managing Interpersonal Conflict and Dealing with Challenging Personalities

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Managing Interpersonal Conflict and Dealing with Challenging Personalities’, you will learn the following:

  • The personality characteristics of people who are typically challenging to interact with
  • How these characteristics impact our interactions with these individuals
  • Factors that contribute to the development of these characteristic
  • Different types of difficult personalities
  • How you can interact with these people in a way that is most effective while protecting yourself
  • Common mistakes people make in dealing with people with challenging personalities

Divorce

Separation And Divorce: The Effects On Children And Adolescents

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Separation And Divorce: The Effects On Children And Adolescents’, you will learn the following:

  • How divorce can be disruptive to a child’s life
  • Potential impacts on mental health in children and adolescents
  • Common long-term effects based on the literature
  • Ways to discuss separation and divorce with your children
  • Strategies for parenting within a blended family
  • Different types of therapy that may be helpful in coping with parental divorce

Emotional Dysregulation

Emotionally Dysregulated Teens: How Parents Can Help

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Emotionally Dysregulated Teens: How Parents Can Help’, you will learn the following:

  • What is emotional dysregulation, how does it look in teens, and why is it often a problem?
  • Signs that your teen is experiencing emotional dysregulation
  • Strategies to help determine why your teen might be experiencing these difficulties
  • Effective ways to communicate with your teen
  • How to support your teen in regulating their emotions
  • Skills from evidence-based psychological interventions for emotion regulation
Changing The Conversation With Your Teen: Understanding And Supporting Intense Emotions And Improve Well-Being

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Changing The Conversation With Your Teen: Understanding And Supporting Intense Emotions And Improve Well-Being’, you will learn the following:

  • What is emotional dysregulation and how does it negatively impact teens?
  • Research-supported strategies for talking to your teen about identifying and managing intense, distressing emotions (even if they are reluctant to talk to you about it!)
  • Discover how to create and maintain open communication with your teen
  • Learn how to help your teen identify and express their emotions appropriately
Big Emotions in Children: Supporting Your Child with Emotion Regulation

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Big Emotions in Children: Supporting Your Child with Emotion Regulation’, you will learn the following:

  • How biology leads to different ways of experiencing and expressing emotions
  • What are emotions, emotional functioning, and emotion dysregulation?
  • How is an assessment of emotional functioning helpful and what might it look like?
  • What treatments are available for emotion dysregulation, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Ways parents can improve their child’s emotion regulation
  • Strategies for children to improve their own emotion regulation skills
Understanding and Nurturing Emotion Regulation in Children and Teens

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding and Nurturing Emotion Regulation in Children and Teens’, you will learn the following:

  • What is emotion regulation and why is it so important?
  • How parents can help their children emotionally regulate
  • Skills parents can teach their children to self-regulate, including recognizing, understanding, regulating, expressing, and changing emotions

Empathy

The Importance Of Empathy

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘The Importance Of Empathy’, you will learn the following:

  • How is empathy defined, what are its components, and why did humans develop it?
  • What factors affect empathy and is empathy decreasing in today’s world (it can often seem like it!)?
  • What are the signs of high empathy and a lack of empathy?
  • Are empathy and mental health related? (spoiler alert: they sure are!)
  • Strategies to increase your level of empathy and improve your mental health
  • Ways you can encourage empathy in others, including your children

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Understanding And Educating Students With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding And Educating Students With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)’, you will learn the following:

  • How is FASD defined and formally diagnosed?
  • What main issues are faced by individuals with ASD? What other issues do they experience?
  • How we can create a paradigm shift that can help when supporting children with FASD
  • Strategies for supporting children with FASD in the educational setting including:
    • Information processing issues
    • Sensory issues
    • Learning
    • Communication Issues
    • Behavioural problems
    • Social Skills
  • Highlighting the strengths of children with FASD (there are so many!)

Grief and Loss

Coping with Grief and Loss: Getting Through the Hard Times

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Coping with Grief and Loss: Getting Through the Hard Times’, you will learn the following:

  • What is grief and loss?
  • How do you successfully cope with grief and loss?
  • What are the five stages of grief?
  • What are some common responses to major losses such as death and divorce?
  • What are the best ways to care for yourself after the death of loved one or a divorce?
  • What other losses can be associated with grief and how can you cope with these?
  • How to best support others experiencing grief and loss
  • What treatment for grief and loss is like
Understanding Complicated Grief and How to Support Your Child

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding Complicated Grief and How to Support Your Child’, you will learn the following:

  • What is the difference between grief and complicated grief? (hint: one is considered ‘normal’ and one is not)
  • How do children understand death and typically react to grief?
  • What is traumatic grief and prolonged grief?
  • The difference between complicated grief and depression
  • How to help grieving children and adolescents

Indian Residential Schools

The Legacy Of Colonization: Navigating The Effects Of Intergenerational Trauma

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘The Legacy Of Colonization: Navigating The Effects Of Intergenerational Trauma’, you will learn the following:

  • The history of Canada including the effects of colonization and the Indian Residential Schools
  • Conclusions from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  • The disastrous effects of the pass system on First Nations people living on reserve
  • The negative effects of the 60’s scoop
  • How Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is impacting Indigenous people
  • Indicators of intergenerational effects in First Nation communities
  • What is intergenerational resilience and how can resiliency be built?

Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities: What Parents Need To Know

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Learning Disabilities: What Parents Need To Know’, you will learn the following:

  • The definition of a Specific Learning Disorder (hint: they still have average intelligence)
  • How to understand the complex language included in a
  • Learning Disorder assessment report
  • Challenges related to Learning Disorders
  • How to help your child with their learning disability at home, at school, and socially
  • How to focus on strengths when your child has a learning disorder and why this is so very important
  • What are the potential benefits of therapy?

LGBTQ

Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ2S+ Youth

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding and Supporting LGBTQ2S+ Youth’, you will learn the following:

  • What is sex and how is it different from gender?
  • How is gender identity defined, what are various types, and what is gender dysphoria?
  • How gender nonconforming youth are at increased risk for mental health concerns
  • How to build resilience in gender-diverse youth
  • How being cisgender is associated with privilege
  • What is sexual orientation and what are the different types?
  • How to support resilience in youth with marginalized sexual orientations
  • How to teach healthy sexuality and consent to youth

Mental Health

Making Mental Health A Priority

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Making Mental Health A Priority’, you will learn the following:

  • What is mental health and how many people experience mental health difficulties?
  • What are indicators of good and poor mental health and what are common mental health difficulties?
  • How to support someone experiencing mental health difficulties
  • How to make your mental health a priority including:
    • Managing stress
    • Improving time management skills
    • Balancing life and work
    • Focusing on strengths and values
    • Practicing self-care
    • Seeking support and resources
Know the Symptoms and Treatments: Mental Health Disorders in Adults Part 1 and 2

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Know the Symptoms and Treatments: Mental Health Disorders in Adults Part 1 and 2’, you will learn the following:

  • The symptoms of depressive disorders in adults and effective treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • The symptoms of anxiety disorders and how CBT is helpful
  • Differences and similarities between depression and anxiety
  • The symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and effective treatments based in CBT including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
  • The symptoms of Schizophrenia and effective treatments based in CBT
  • The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and effective treatments including CBT
  • The symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and effective treatments including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • The symptoms of eating disorders and effective treatments including CBT, DBT, and others
Know the Symptoms and How to Support Them: Mental Health Disorders in Children and Teens Part 1 and 2

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Know the Symptoms and How to Support Them: Mental Health Disorders in Children and Teens Part 1 and 2’, you will learn the following:

  • The symptoms of anxiety disorder in children and teens
  • The symptoms of depressive disorders
  • The symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • The symptoms of Schizophrenia
  • The symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
  • The symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
  • The symptoms of eating disorders
  • How to support children with these disorders and effective treatments for each

Motor Vehicle Accidents

After The Accident: Understanding And Coping With A Motor Vehicle Acciden

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘After The Accident: Understanding And Coping With A Motor Vehicle Accident’, you will learn the following:

  • How common are Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs)?
  • What are some of the things people experience after an MVA?
  • What mental health disorders are associated with MVAs (hint: the main one is trauma-related)?
  • How is depression, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), chronic pain, driving anxiety, anger, and grief/loss related to MVAs for many individuals and what does that look like?
  • Types of treatment for MVA-related disorders and issues

Neuropsychological Assessments

Coping With A Brain Injury: The Role Of A Neuropsychological Assessment

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Coping With A Brain Injury: The Role Of A Neuropsychological Assessment’, you will learn the following:

  • The types and causes of brain injuries
  • How common and brain injuries in children and teens (hint: kids get hurt!)
  • Signs and symptoms that a child has had a brain injury including red flags for seeking medical help
  • Types of treatment for a brain injury, from monitoring to hospital admission
  • Factors affecting recovery from a mild to severe brain injury and post-concussion symptoms
  • What is a neuropsychological assessment and when might it be helpful?
  • How to support a child or teen who has experienced a brain injury
  • Ways to reduce the risk of brain injuries and promote brain health

Parenting

Positive Parenting: Effective Strategies for Managing Child Misbehaviour and Other Issues

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Positive Parenting: Effective Strategies for Managing Child Misbehaviour and Other Issues’, you will learn the following:

  • Different ways of parenting, including brickwall, jellyfish, and backbone parenting
  • How parenting can influence a child’s behaviour
  • The difference between developmentally normal misbehaviour and something more (all kids misbehave!)
    Some common reasons your child may be misbehaving (or even you!) – frustration, fatigue, and hunger
  • The appropriate ways children test the boundaries with their parents
  • Ways to keep your cool when your child misbehaves (it’s never easy)
  • Parenting strategies that are known to lead to improved child behaviour, including encouragement, positive feedback, and discipline
  • Special Issues in parenting including responsibilities, homework, sibling rivalry, peer pressure, ADHD, divorce, violence and trauma, and technology use

Procrastination

Procrastination Psychoeducational Workshop

In our psychoeducational workshop , you will learn:

  • What is procrastination (I bet you already know!)
  • Explanation of procrastination
  • Why do we do it?
  • Procrastination and your brain
  • How did it start?
  • How to stop procrastination?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Trauma And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Signs And Symptoms, Coping And Treatment

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Trauma And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Signs And Symptoms, Coping And Treatment’, you will learn the following:

  • What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and what can cause PTSD?
  • Strategies for coping with trauma
  • PTSD warning signs and symptoms
  • How we understand PTSD from psychological perspective
  • What psychological treatment of PTSD looks like
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Children And Adolescents

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Children And Adolescents’, you will learn the following:

  • What is trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
  • Factors that increase the likelihood someone will develop PTSD after experiencing trauma
  • General warning signs and symptoms of PTSD
  • Symptoms of PTSD specific to preschool-aged children, school-aged children, preadolescents and adolescents (it can look very different!)
  • Types of treatment for PTSD, unique options for children, and why getting treatment can sometimes be challenging
  • How parents and teachers can help a child with PTSD (and what to avoid)
Identifying And Responding To Trauma-Related Behaviour In Youth

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Identifying And Responding To Trauma-Related Behaviour In Youth’, you will learn the following:

  • What is trauma?
  • Who experiences trauma?
  • Immediate and long-term responses to trauma
  • What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
  • What types of trauma-related behaviour do youth display?
  • What are some important things to consider when working with youth with trauma-related behaviours?
  • What is trauma-informed care and how can you make sure you are engaging in it?
Understanding And Supporting Individuals With Other Trauma-Related Mental Health Conditions

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Understanding And Supporting Individuals With Other Trauma-Related Mental Health Conditions’, you will learn the following:

  • Mental health diagnoses that often occur after trauma
  • Why these are often present when someone has PTSD
  • How having more than one disorder along with PTSD makes things more challenging
  • Symptoms of commonly co-occurring mental health diagnoses
  • Practical ways to support individuals with these diagnoses
  • How to encourage individuals to seek additional support
Vicarious Trauma Strategies For Prevention And Recovery

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Vicarious Trauma Strategies For Prevention And Recovery’, you will learn the following:

  • What is vicarious trauma?
  • Who experiences vicarious trauma and how common is it?
  • Potential indicators of vicarious trauma
  • Symptoms of vicarious trauma and PTSD
  • Factors that increase the likelihood someone with develop vicarious trauma
  • Factors the decrease your chances of trauma-related difficulties
  • What is vicarious resilience?
  • Strategies to cope with vicarious trauma and promote vicarious resilience
Why Can’t I Get Over It: Dealing with the Psychological Impact of a Traumatic Event

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Why Can’t I Get Over It: Dealing with the Psychological Impact of a Traumatic Event’, you will learn the following:

  • What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) including statistics, diagnostic criteria and background?
  • What natural recovery from trauma looks like as compared to those with PTSD and the role of avoidance
  • How PTSD is assessed
  • Psychological Treatment of PTSD using the triphasic model
  • Common crises in treatment
  • Funding sources for victims of trauma seeking mental health services

Psychoeducational assessments

How Do I Know If My Child Needs A Psychoeducational Assessment

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘How Do I Know If My Child Needs A Psychoeducational Assessment’, you will learn the following:

  • Definition of a Specific Learning Disorder, including signs and symptoms
  • How common on Learning Disorders?
  • What can I do if I think my child/teen may have a learning disability?
  • What is a psychoeducational assessment?
  • Potential benefits of having a child/teen participate in a psychoeducational assessment
  • Signs that your child would benefit from a psychoeducational assessment
  • What a psychoeducational assessment looks like

Relationships

Enhancing Your Relationship

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Enhancing Your Relationship’, you will learn the following:

  • Factors that lead to martial conflict (Not too surprisingly – not making each other happy and making each other unhappy)
  • How to start making each other happy – by meeting your partner’s emotional needs
  • The 10 most important emotional needs and how to rank yours
  • How to stop making each other unhappy – by improving communication and managing conflict
  • The four horsemen of the apocalypse: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling
  • Steps to better communication and ground rules for handling conflict (don’t fight dirty!)

School Avoidance

When Your Child Won’t Go to School: How to Manage School Avoidance

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘When Your Child Won’t Go to School: How to Manage School Avoidance’, you will learn the following:

  • What is school avoidance?
  • Why might a child avoid school and is this something that happens to lots of parents?
  • Signs and symptoms of school avoidance including thoughts, physical feelings, emotions, and behaviours
  • The difference between school avoidance and truancy
  • Factors that contribute to truancy and prevalence rates
  • Five things that parents can do to keep their children in school

Seasonal Affective Disorder

How To Cope With The Winter Blues

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘How To Cope With The Winter Blues’, you will learn the following:

  • Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how many people experience it
  • The causes and risk factors for SAD
  • How to know the difference between normal seasonal changes in mood and SAD
  • What does an assessment of seasonal mood changes look like?
  • The treatments available for SAD, including light therapy,
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and others
  • How do I support someone who is experiencing symptoms of SAD?

Self-Esteem

How to Develop and Maintain Positive Self-Esteem in Yourself and Your Children

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘How to Develop and Maintain Positive Self-Esteem in Yourself and Your Children’, you will learn:

  • What healthy self-esteem means
  • The origins of self-esteem 
  • The Inner Critic (and how to fight back)
  • How family helps or hinders self-esteem 
  • The importance of self-messages (what we say to ourselves)
  • How to stop listening to your Inner Critic
  • The impact of peer pressure 
  • Developing positive self-esteem (it should be a basic human right)
  • Identifying distorted thinking and learn how to correct it
Improving Self-Esteem in Youth

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Improving Self-Esteem in Youth’, you will learn the following:

  • What is self-esteem and why is it important?
  • What is low self-esteem vs. high self-esteem and what are the effects?
  • How is self-esteem related to functioning in youth?
  • Where does self-esteem come from?
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies help with self-esteem
  • Other strategies to boost self-esteem
Building Self-Esteem And Confidence In Kids

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Building Self-Esteem And Confidence In Kids’, you will learn the following:

  • What is self-esteem and what does healthy self-esteem look like in children?
  • Why healthy self-esteem is important for children
  • Factors that affect the development of self-esteem, from the way we think to cultural influences
  • Does our self-esteem change over time or stay the same?
  • Strategies for supporting your child in developing healthy self-esteem
  • How to address your child’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in favor of positive self-esteem development
  • Ways to support your child in building self-esteem in the face of difficulties outside of the home

Self-Harm

Self-Harm And Suicidality: What You Need To Know And How To Help

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Self-Harm And Suicidality: What You Need To Know And How To Help’, you will learn the following:

  • What is self-harm and what is not self-harm?
  • Who self-inures, why, and risk factors for self-harm
  • What self-injury in students with developmental disabilities looks like and how to help manage this
  • The difference between self-harm and suicide attempts
  • Warning signs of self-harm
  • How to respond to self-harm behaviours and support someone who self-harms
  • How to assess risk of self-harm and respond appropriately
  • What is suicidal ideation and suicidality?
  • How common is suicide in Indigenous communities? What are some of the reasons for this?
  • Ways to prevent suicide starting in kindergarten, including emotion communication, self-esteem building, and community and spirituality
  • Psychological interventions for self-harm and suicidality, including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Separation and Divorce

Separation And Divorce: The Effects On Children And Adolescents

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Separation And Divorce: The Effects On Children And Adolescents’, you will learn the following:

  • How divorce can be disruptive to a child’s life
  • Potential impacts on mental health in children and adolescents
  • Common long-term effects based on the literature
  • Ways to discuss separation and divorce with your children
  • Strategies for parenting within a blended family
  • Different types of therapy that may be helpful in coping with parental divorce

Sleep

Getting a Better Night’s Sleep: How to Improve the Quality and Quantity of Your Sleep Time’

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Getting a Better Night’s Sleep: How to Improve the Quality and Quantity of Your Sleep Time’, you will learn:

  • The different stages of sleep
  • The purpose of sleep (you know it’s important, but why?)
  • Changes in sleep patterns throughout the life span
  • Common sleep problems
  • Drugs that can contribute to sleep problems
  • Consequences of insomnia
  • 6 different treatment options for a better night’s sleep
  • Developing healthy sleep habits
  • False beliefs about insomnia

Social Media

Youth and Social Media: Risks, Benefits, and Tips for Handling Cyberbullying

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Youth and Social Media: Risks, Benefits, and Tips for Handling Cyberbullying’, you will learn the following:

  • What is social media?
  • The benefits of social media for youth and why it’s so important to them (it’s not all bad!)
  • The risks associated with social media for youth (there is some bad)
  • How social media can impact a youth’s self-esteem and communication
  • Tips for parents and youth on handling cyberbullying

Strengths

Identifying and Building on Strengths in Youth

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Identifying and Building on Strengths in Youth’ you will learn the following:

  • What are strengths?
  • How does Positive Psychology define strengths of character?
  • What are intrinsic strengths and extrinsic strengths/resources?
  • How to identify and build on strengths in youth/students
  • The benefits of strength-based focus for youth
  • The role of cultural connectedness in resiliency

Stress

Stress: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Stress: Signs, Symptoms and Treatments’, you will learn the following:

  • What stress is (you probably have a good idea)
  • The different types of stress
  • What is good about stress
  • The stress response and the negative effects of prolonged stress
  • Stress management techniques that work!
  • How to be a little more “Type B” and a little less “Type A”

Suicide

Changing The Conversation About Depression And Suicide

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘Changing The Conversation About Depression And Suicide’, you will learn the following:

  • What is depression, what it is not, and what factors influence its presentation and maintenance?
  • Symptoms of depression, with particular focus on youth and parent accounts
  • The definition of self-harm and reasons why people engage in self-harm
  • What is suicidal ideation and suicidality?
  • Risk factors for self-harm and suicidality
  • How to respond to someone who is engaging in self-harm or experiencing suicidality and cope with depressive fallout
  • Examples of strategies for stabilizing mood from Cognitive
  • Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, as well as other helpful options

Weight Loss

The Psychology Of Weight Loss

In our psychoeducational workshop ‘The Psychology Of Weight Loss’, you will learn the following:

  • Why we struggle to lose weight even though we have a pretty good idea about what to do
  • Lean how thoughts are the key to following healthy eating plans and exercising
  • Eating begins with a trigger – develop an understanding of these triggers and how to manage them
  • Cultivate a plan to make overeating aversive and following a healthy eating plan pleasurable
  • Implement practical, realistic strategies for healthy heating and exercise plans