Seminar Overview
Anxiety disorders are the most common child and adolescent mental health concern. Anxiety is a very normal human response, but for as many as 1 in 5 young people in New Zealand the symptoms become so intrusive so as to interfere with day to day living. The effects can ripple from children, to their families, to the classroom, and into friendships. Anxiety can potentially undermine the way children see themselves, the world and their important place in it – but it doesn’t have to be this way. When recognised and properly managed, anxiety is very treatable. With the right support children can be empowered with the skills and knowledge to manage anxiety and move forward with courage and resilience.
This dynamic workshop will help participants to recognise anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. It will delve into the obvious and not so obvious signs of anxiety, discuss where they come from, why they exist and offer a range of practical, powerful interventions to assist participants to respond effectively within their own professional context.
Key content areas Karen will discuss include:
-
An overview of the most common anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence. Recognising behaviours suggestive of anxiety disorders, and differentiating anxiety from other problems with similar symptoms.
-
Understanding the impact of anxiety on:
* Peer and family relationships.
* School performance, functioning and attendance.
* The potency of co-existing concerns such as depression and self-harm.
-
Building a therapeutic rapport with children with anxiety, including:
* What all children need to know about anxiety, and how to support them in using this information to manage anxiety and build strength, courage and resilience.
* Therapeutic interventions to help young people manage intrusive symptoms and difficult behaviours when anxiety is the fuel.
* Practical, proven strategies to strengthen children against anxiety in the short and long term.
* Pushing back against the negative. How to build self confidence, resilience and self concept with anxious young people.
Understanding the ways loving parents might inadvertently feed anxiety and undermine resilience. How to work with this in a therapeutic setting.
Karen Young is a Brisbane based Psychologist who has worked extensively with children, teens and families. She has worked in private practice and in educational settings. More recently, Karen founded ‘Hey Sigmund’, an Online resource that attracts millions of readers each year and provides accessible and contemporary information on anxiety. Karen is a sought after speaker and a regular contributor to a range of publications throughout Australia and internationally. Karen speaks with an ease and clarity on this topic which ensures this is a training opportunity not to be missed for all professionals looking to become effective allies for young people in overcoming anxiety.
In 2017 Karen published ‘Hey Warrior’, a book for kids to help them understand anxiety and find their ‘brave’. All participants attending this seminar will receive a complimentary copy of this book on the day.
Participants will be together as a group and Karen will deliver & interact via live-stream.
