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Parent Webinar: Supporting my anxious teen

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Parent Webinar: Supporting my anxious teen

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22TRA055 Supporting my Anxious Teen Parent Webinar

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This webinar will focus on how parents and guardians can help to support their anxious teens. It will also explore how teenage brains are more vulnerable to anxiety. Parent-led CBT specific...

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This webinar will help teenagers to identify and explore Cognitive Behavioural Skills which are empirically proven to support good mental health. Teenagers will explore unhelpful thinking patterns and how changing our thinking styles can help improve our motivation, self-esteem and stress levels. Teens will also be invited to examine behaviour patterns which can improve mood, motivation and overall well-being. Finally teenagers will add some somatic skills to lower stress levels on a mind-body level. Bio Presenter:
Nicola Culloty is a primary school teacher with twenty years experience working with parents and children. As Home School Community Liaison she formed an authentic and lasting partnership with parents.
Nicola completed a Masters in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is currently practicing as a CBT therapist. She is very experienced on the impact of trauma on both adults and children and is proficient in the techniques used to overcome and assist those living with mental health issues.
Nicola has facilitated parenting groups and worked closely with parents of children who have experienced trauma in her roles as teacher, therapist and HSCL. Nicola is also a parent of two children in Primary School and is currently working on her juggling skills with all the other parents in Ireland.

Course Properties

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22TRA057 CBT for Teens Workshop for Teenager's

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This webinar will help teenagers to identify and explore Cognitive Behavioural Skills which are empirically proven to support good mental health. Teenagers will explore unhelpful thinking patterns and how changing our thinking styles can help improve our motivation, self-esteem and stress levels.

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Parent Webinar: Supporting my anxious teen 

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Parent Webinar: Supporting my anxious teen 

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This webinar will focus on how parents and guardians can help to support their anxious teens. It will also explore how teenage brains are more vulnerable to anxiety. Parent-led CBT specific techniques will also be examined. Participants will receive information on effective communication and how to talk to teenagers about mental health.

Presenter: Nicola Culloty

Nicola Culloty is a primary school teacher with twenty years experience working with parents and children. As a Home School Community Liaison she formed an authentic and lasting partnership with parents. Nicola completed a Masters in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is currently practising as a CBT therapist. She is very experienced on the impact of trauma on both adults and children and is proficient in the techniques used to overcome and assist those living with mental health issues. Nicola has facilitated parenting groups and worked closely with parents of children who have experienced trauma in her roles as teacher, therapist and HSCL. Nicola is also a parent of two children in Primary School and is currently working on her juggling skills with all the other parents in Ireland.

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Supporting my Anxious Teen Webinar for Parents (P) (PP)

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This webinar will focus on how parents and guardians can help to support their anxious teens. It will also explore how teenage brains are more vulnerable to anxiety. Parent-led CBT specific techniques will also be examined. Participants will receive information on effective communication and how to talk to teenagers about mental health.

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https://www.stclements.ie/news/pieta-amber-flag-initiative

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The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative
St Clements College was awarded the amber flag for promoting positive mental health during the school academic year 2020/2021. Students participated in a number of events throughout the year focusing on positivity and wellbeing. The team always welcomes new members, please speak to Ms. O' Connor.

Pictured above: Amber Flag Committee Members
Mr. Pat Talty, Conall Lynch, Ger Hickey, Ross McNally, Ms. Joan Chawke, Shane Downey, Stephen Shaw.

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The Pieta Amber Flag Initiative St Clements College was awarded the amber flag for promoting positive mental health during the school academic year 2020/2021. Students participated in a number of events throughout the year focusing on positivity and wellbeing. The team always welcomes new members, please speak to Ms. O' Connor.

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Relaxation Techniques from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

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Relaxation Techniques from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) by Department of Education and Skills

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Have you been feeling anxious, worried or stressed lately? If so, this podcast might help. Find a quiet corner, get comfortable, press play and let a NEPS psychologist talk you through some relaxation techniques.

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Another roller coaster year is coming to an end, and the lingering effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have certainly taken a collective toll on our mental health.

There's no way to know what 2022 has in store for us, nor can self-care erase the grief, trauma or other challenges we may have endured over the last 12 months. But as we look toward the new year, we can adopt healthy new habits to help incrementally improve our days, even if just for a moment. Sometimes, that's more than enough.

Below are 22 happiness tips to try in the new year:

Start a gratitude journal.

This only takes a few minutes. Recording positive things about your day, whether major achievements or simple pleasures, can reduce stress , improve sleep and even foster better relationships by building a sense of empathy.

"There is no right or wrong way to write a journal, but I recommend that this becomes a daily exercise," said John Lee , director of clinical psychology at Executive Mental Health .

Lee suggests journaling at the same time each day, whether before dinner or before bed, and identifying at least one item for daily gratitude.

Take five deep breaths.

Keep a light therapy lamp on your desk.

"Your , which affects bodily functions and behavioral responses," Goldstein said. "Exposure to sunlight, especially first thing in the morning, helps keep your clock on time. Since most of us work indoors, a light therapy lamp serves this purpose and gives a nice boost in energy and mood. And as an added bonus, it provides excellent lighting for video calls." ( circadian rhythm regulates your sleep-wake cycle Here's how to use one properly.)

Drink water.

Sara Cullen, founder and CEO of GEM , said drinking enough water daily helps boost her mood . "Water is the essence of us and what we need in order for our micronutrients and functions to operate," she said.

Jessica Peterson via Getty Images

Label what you're experiencing.

"Name it to tame it" is a phrase coined by Dan Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, and is often used by other mental health experts.

Turn your skin care routine into a few moments of self-care.

Spend time outdoors.

Spend a few minutes stretching.

"Even if working out is too much for you to commit to, stretching still releases the same endorphins, which decreases a person's perception of pain," said Sharonda Brown, a licensed clinical therapist and national board-certified counselor in Ferguson, Missouri. "This includes emotional pain."

Call or visit a friend.

Be intentional about spending time with the people that matter most. "A good conversation over a cup of coffee can change everything about the day," Brown said.

Give acupuncture a go.

Ask for help when you're overwhelmed.

Remind yourself that someone else's mood is not your responsibility.

Volunteer (bonus if it's with animals).

Plant a garden.

"Gardening helps with mood, concentration and focus," said Shannon Lawrence, an acupuncturist and yoga instructor in California. "Mental health flourishes when spending time in nature and sunlight while lowering blood pressure and strengthening muscle and body coordination ."

Watch a funny movie.

"If you are having a sad moment or need a boost of energy, watching something funny can be a great pick-me-up," said LeAnn DeHoff, the clinical director at The Lux Center of Counseling and Education. "Smiling and laughing are positive for your mental health."

Marko Geber via Getty Images

Perform an act of kindness.

"Generosity is key to our positive mental health," DeHoff said. "An act of kindness towards others may help you understand your own difficulties, increase empathy a nd gain some perspective."

Be mindful of your social media use.

"Every client that has become intentional about why and for how long they are on social media experiences a huge decrease in their negative emotions," said Beth Sherman, a psychologist in Arlington Heights, Illinois. "Most say they feel like a burden has been lifted off of them and that they feel freer."

If you're struggling to stay offline entirely (who isn't?), try using your social media to improve your mood: Limit your viewing to your explore page, watch mindless videos or read funny tweets.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine.

Stress and anxiety are two of the most common reasons for poor sleep. Taking time to unwind ― preferably without your phone for at least 30 minutes before bed ― can help you get a good night's rest, which in turn improves mood. Read a good book, drink a mug of tea or eat a satisfying dessert, chat with a loved one or do any activity that calms your mind.

Meditate.

Or try a moving meditation.

If sitting still is difficult, try a moving meditation instead. "Both Qigong and Tai Chi are branches of traditional Chinese medicine that involve body postures, movements, rhythmic breathing," said Gudrun Snyder, an acupuncturist and founder of Moon Rabbit Acupuncture.

Slow walks, yoga and stretching can also be forms of moving meditations as well ― the point is to gently move your body and focus on your breath.

Drink more green tea.

We won't suggest giving up a beloved cup of coffee for tea, but it might be worth trying to drink more of it during your day. Studies demonstrate that it can reduce anxiety and enhance cognition and focus.

Talk to a therapist.

You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. Mental health experts can help you manage stress and find ways to cope with problems that are affecting your daily life. Consider seeking professional support ( here's a guide on how to start, including how to make it more affordable) in 2022 ― it'll improve your life.

Related...

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22 Tiny Mental Health Habits That Can Improve Your Life In 2022

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Another roller coaster year is coming to an end, and the lingering effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have certainly taken a collective toll on our mental health. There's no way to know what 2022 has in store for us, nor can self-care erase the grief, trauma or other challenges we may have endured over the last 12 months.

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When CAO decision time approaches, stress levels within households tend to go up. However, as the world is in the middle of a pandemic, stress levels are already high to begin with and parents and therapists everywhere are reporting a massive increase in anxiety levels among young people.

Child and adolescent psychotherapist and trainer, Edel Lawlor sees the effects that the pandemic has had on families in her practice every day, and has helpful insights for parents and their teenagers to help navigate this new transition in family life. It starts with understanding teenagers, learning to listen and self-care.

"We are in a world pandemic which is having an impact on children and families.

Teenagers have missed rituals like parties and their debs, which isn't just a debs, it's a transition milestone to leaving home.

They have missed out on so many things that we all took for granted at that age." Parents, meanwhile, are burnt out, she explains, and their wellness is just as important as that of their children.

It's not all doom and gloom, however according to Ms Lawlor. Some teenagers have grown to appreciate the little things that they took for granted before, like meeting friends for coffee, while wearing masks and studying on zoom have suited others.

From about the age of 12 until 20 or 21, children enter the teenage tunnel. Parents don't fit in there and should stay out. It's a place where young people go through an important developmental phase where they are exploring their own identity, taking risks, and taking notice of all your faults.

During this phase parents can walk along outside the tunnel. There will be chaos inside and times when teenagers regress and come out of the tunnel, but they must go back in. There are other times when they fall down and need to picked up, but other than that, parents need to stand back.

"As parents we must let our teenagers struggle or else we are paralyzing them to cope with any adversity," explains Ms Lawlor, adding that parents must also be aware if they are trying to fix their own teen experience through their child.

While a teenager is in the tunnel what parents can do is listen to their child and care for themselves, because a lot of parents are burnt out.

"Teenagers watch their parents like hawks and they see how they take care of their mental health. Use this time to go back to the basics of self care and reach for the stars yourself," says Ms Lawlor.

"Take care of yourself and your teenager by going for a drive and getting a coffee. They might have their ear buds in and not say a word to you, but that's ok. It's spending time with them and doing something positive for both of you," she advises.

"Also, ask yourself what kind of listener are you? Are you an elephant - all ears? Or are you a crocodile? You need to be the listening elephant so they know you're there" she says.

Teenagers do come out of the tunnel eventually and Ms Lawlor says that one day at around 20 or 21 they will ask you out for a coffee.

"You'll be looking at them and thinking to yourself 'Is that you?' but then you'll know they've made it out the other end."

Top of the list is to control your use of social media.

Take breaks.

Move, move, move...it helps when you are anxious about making decisions. It gets you out of your head, relieves stress and you'll feel more relaxed.

Listen to music. The rhythm of music is beneficial to our neural pathways. Also be mindful of the mood of music you're listening to. If it's always Adele or something sad all the time it could be bringing you down. Mix it up.

Talk to a friend or therapist Doodle: This helps us to regulate Journal in a notebook or on your phone where you can put a lock on it.

Chew gum: When we're stressed we lock our jaws and chewing gum helps relax the jaw.

Yoga, meditation, watch an uplifting movie.

Ask for support if you need it.

Don't put yourself under pressure to go to college if you know it isn't for you. Not everyone goes to college. Plenty successful people never went to college.

Ask yourself what makes you smile, what lights you up? If you are interested or passionate about something, if a smile surfaces when you think about it, that may be a strong indication of the right course for you. Choosing from a cognitive place can often end in having to change courses later on.

Parents may put you off certain careers because of low income or the working conditions. They come from hard times. Go with what makes you happy.

Ms Edel Lawlor is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and founder and director of the Expressive Play therapy and training centre based in Kerry.

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Wellbeing for students is a family affair, advises therapist

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When CAO decision time approaches, stress levels within households tend to go up. However, as the world is in the middle of a pandemic, stress levels are already high to begin with and parents and therapists everywhere are reporting a massive increase in anxiety levels among young people.

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Headspace | Mini Meditation | Let Go of Stress