4-WEEK ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP
Emotionally Connected Parenting
How to successfully navigate your child's school-aged years by tuning into their emotional experiences
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when your child experiences leaps in their mental and emotional development. Like so many other parents, you may be spending hours reading through books, social media posts and tips from other parents in search of answers. If you’re struggling to find strategies that work for your child and family, then this support group is for you.
Over the course of 4 weeks, you’ll be introduced to practical skills to effectively respond to your child’s strong emotional reactions and behavioural challenges, learn to increase cooperation, and strengthen your relationship with your child—all while connecting with other mothers who are going through similar experiences as you.
This group is intended for mothers who:
- Have kids ages 5 to 12 years old
- Are struggling with their kid’s behaviours or notice something isn’t working at home or school
- Are open to learning about the key role of attachment and emotions in children’s behaviours and challenging the old-school ways of parenting
- Want to set their child up to be healthy and happy in the future, and form a strong connected relationship with them
Facilitators
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Registered Clinical Counsellor
Location
Online (via Zoom)
Next Scheduled Group
TBD
Cost
Early bird rate: $175 (+GST) until May 1
Learn to connect to your kid’s emotions and become a feelings-first parent.
Research shows that tuning into children’s emotional experiences promotes better wellness outcomes for all.
The education and tools provided during this support group will equip you with a long-term plan for navigating some of the most challenging situations that can happen when raising young children. You will walk away with further insight into how and why feeling-focused work seeps into all your relationships, and how this powerful method of communicating with your child can have a lasting impact on their development.
Common Questions
Support groups are made up of people who share common challenges. These groups are focused on providing education, resources and tools, with the overall goal of helping you to cope. They provide a safe place for you to express your thoughts and feelings, and to share your experiences if you feel comfortable. Groups often provide reassurance and encouragement. There’s something truly unique about surrounding yourself with others who are experiencing similar challenges as you. Group members often walk away feeling stronger, more capable and hopeful about managing the difficulties that brought them to the group.
Our groups typically range anywhere from 5 to 12 people.
Everyone is welcome! You do not need to be a current client in order to join any of the groups we offer.
Every group is facilitated by trained clinical counsellors who have a masters-level education and experience supporting individuals in a group setting. They will ensure that group members are respected throughout the group process and will provide members with new knowledge and skills to manage their struggles.
While most insurance companies will cover all or a portion of the cost for 1-on-1 counselling services, some are more particular when it comes to group programs. We encourage you to contact your service provider to determine what type of coverage might be available to you. We’re happy to provide individual receipts for each session if needed.
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance and is part of the ground rules for attending a group program. Everything said before, during and after group sessions is considered confidential and all members are required to sign and agree to this.
All of our group programs occur on a private and confidential video conferencing service that has an encrypted connection and is both PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) compliant. You will receive a link by e-mail to access the sessions.
Every group member is expected to attend the full 4-week program, but we do understand that unforeseen events can occur. If you are going to be absent for any session, we ask that you please inform the facilitator(s).
Session breakdown
Session One
Going Against the Grain
Challenging emotion-avoidance and stepping into validation and emotion-focused work
- Learn why it's easier to avoid emotion and the issues that come along with doing so
- Understand why finding support for you is often more important than focusing soley on your child
- Gain insight into what tools can help you while your child is struggling
Session Two
Emotion-Coaching
Changing the script on how you communicate with your child
- Learn how tiny changes can provide the biggest impact for you and your child
- Understand why we need to challenge the behaviour-focused model and how to make adjustments
- Explore practical tools for communication (e.g., using a validation script and dropping the “but”)
Session Three
Looking Inward
Exploring the reasons parents get triggered by their children and other caregiver challenges
- Gain knowledge about the common roadblocks parents face while supporting a child’s unique reactions
- Learn why validation as a tool is different than excusing certain behaviours
- Find out how to continue to connect emotionally with your child regardless of their reaction
Session Four
Next Steps
Understanding the importance of repairing your relationship with your child after a challenging interaction
- Learn why it's important to normalize mistakes
- Discover ways to navigate and manage the emotional load that can occur when challenging situations arise
- Learn how to write and deliver an apology
- Explore the importance of family involvement and long-term planning for success
Interested in other groups & workshops?
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