Watch the recorded session from October 22, when we joined forces with the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health to celebrate babies with a powerful call to action.
Hosted at The Breakers, the event featured Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who streamed live from California to share her expertise on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma.
Catch her presentation and insightful conversation with key leaders across Florida!
Everyone experiences stress. Our bodies are meant to feel stress and to react to it.
Most people experience stress on a daily basis. Stress keeps us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress results from things that impact upon us in the normal course of life. But what happens when our stress does not go away? Your body is only meant to handle stress in small bursts. Chronic stress can lead to serious problems, lowering your immune system and interfering with the proper functioning of your body’s systems.
In this intensive workshop, participants will learn about:
Define terms and provide history relevant to race and racism. Describe the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma in the context of race. Reflect on individuals’ experiences with racism and racial trauma. Describe resiliency in the face of racism. Share opportunities for learning, growth, change, and healing.
Resilience: the ability to “bounce back” from setbacks, to adapt and overcome adversity, to cope with challenges by making use of internal resources and social supports.
Difficult experiences are an inevitable part of life, and so by supporting resilient practices from childhood, we aim to strengthen a child’s ability to overcome both current and later in life stressors.
Take this training to learn more about the protective buffer that resilience offers against stress as well as strategies to help promote and strengthen this trait in the lives of the children you engage with.
In the absence of protective relationships, toxic stress in childhood impacts an individual’s well-being across the lifetime. This workshop provides an overview of the ACE and PCE studies, trauma, toxic stress, and the impact it has on one’s health. In addition ways to build resilience will be discussed.
Summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and adventure! However, it can also be a period of transition and uncertainty for children. Supporting your child's mental health during this season is crucial for their overall well-being.
Here are ten ways you can help:
1. Encourage Open Communication
Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings and thoughts. Regularly check in with them and listen without judgment. This helps build trust and shows that you value their emotions. For younger children, these feelings are often expressed through their play.
This video includes helpful tips on how to engage in child-centered play with your child.
2. Maintain a Routine
While summer often means a break from the usual schedule, keeping a consistent routine provides a sense of stability. As much as possible, set regular times for meals, activities, and bedtime to help your child feel safe and secure. This is particularly important for very young children, especially before the age of 5. Children thrive on structure and consistency - and it also helps parents by creating a predictable environment that helps children grow emotionally, cognitively, and socially.
3. Promote Physical Activity and PLAY!
Encourage your child to stay active through sports, dance, or even simple outdoor play. Physical activity releases endorphins, which can improve mood, and reduce anxiety. Here are 11 ways to encourage your child to be physically active.
Play is essential because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development and well-being of your child. Play also offers a great opportunity for you, as a parent or caregiver, to positively engage and interact with your child. Check out our Ways to Play page for fun ideas. We love this resource from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers, and Children. The handout series provides suggestions games and play-based activities based on your child’s age.
4. Limit Screen Time
While it's tempting to rely on screens for entertainment, excessive screen time can negatively impact mental health. Set boundaries and encourage other activities like reading, games, arts and crafts, or outdoor exploration. Have a Nature Scavenger Hunt by making a list of items found in nature, such as leaves, rocks, or flowers. Or conduct simple science experiments such as baking soda and vinegar volcanoes or making a rainbow in a jar. These are fun and educational activities!
5. Foster Social Connections
Arrange playdates, group activities, or a trip to the park to help your child stay connected with friends and peers. Social interactions are vital for emotional health and can help reduce feelings of loneliness. Here are 3 ways to help your child build social connection skills.
6. Provide Healthy Nutrition
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can positively affect mood and energy levels. Involve your child in meal planning and preparation to make healthy eating fun. We love these ideas:
Plant a garden with your child and watch it grow! Not only is play in the dirt fun, but your child is more likely to try foods they have grown. Tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and peppers are a good place to start.
Make cooking a family activity! Talk about your family's food traditions and teach them a favorite recipe.
Take a field trip to a farmer's market or local farm to learn more about other types of vegetables and fruits that may not be available at your grocery store.
The AAP has a wealth of information about nutrition for parents and caregivers.
7. Encourage Mindfulness and Relaxation
Teach your child simple mindfulness exercises or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga. These practices can help them manage stress and stay calm. Our Loving-Kindness Mindfulness video for kids is a great start!
8. Support Their Interests
Whether it's a hobby, sport, or artistic pursuit, encouraging your child to engage in activities they love can boost their self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
9. Be a Role Model
Children often mirror the behavior of their parents. Demonstrate healthy coping strategies, positive thinking, and emotional regulation. Showing that you take care of your own mental health sets a powerful example and sets the foundation for lifelong health!
10. Seek Professional Help if Needed
If you notice persistent changes in your child's behavior or mood, don't hesitate to seek professional support.
Supporting your child's mental health this summer doesn't have to be complicated. By incorporating simple strategies into your daily routine, you can help ensure that your child enjoys a happy and healthy summer season. We have put together a rich array of reliable resources for you.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. If you need additional resources or support, don't hesitate to reach out to us or a mental health professional. If you have questions or need additional support, please contact us.
In this training with Paris Goodyear-Brown, participants will explore the physiological confusion that often results with dysregulated children and teens as their stress response systems work to keep up with the pressures of our world.
Participants will learn techniques to help children articulate their anxiety provoking situations; establish emotional granularity, and soothe the physiology. Playful tools for designing and tracking gradual exposures will be covered.
Specific Play Therapy techniques will be augmented by detailed case examples, video clips, and experiential learning.
2. Explain the role of early attachment relationships in the evolution of a child’s self-regulation.
3. Articulate five play therapy interventions aimed at soothing the physiology.
4. List five play therapy interventions aimed at helping clients rehearse impulse control and/or anger management skills.
5. List three metaphors that can be used to describe how anxiety grows and how it can be reduced.
6. List six co-regulation strategies codified in the acronym SOOTHE.
7. List three play therapy tools for tracking exposure/response prevention trials.
Cost: $180 LIVE: This will be a LIVE, in-person workshop. Participants must attend the entire presentation and will be awarded LIVE CONTACT APT CE’s upon successful completion of a post test. Approved by APT for 6 LIVE CONTACT APT CE Hours & Florida Psychologist, LMHC, LMFT & LCSW CEU’s.
Discounts are also available for groups of 10+ people!
All cancellations must be made at least 10 days prior to the scheduled workshop. Registered participants who provide proper notice (10 days or more) will be credited, minus a 25% workshop fee. For registered participants who cancel less than 10 days prior to the workshops, credit towards a future workshop will be provided. This credit must be used within 1 year of the original workshop date (no cash refunds). The registered participant may invite another person to substitute their place in the workshop (in which they are registered) at any time at no charge.
No shows or missed workshops will not receive a refund or credit.
Center for Child Counseling is approved by the Florida Board of Psychology and Board of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors: Provider #50-11511.
Center for Child Counseling is an approved provider of Play Therapy Continuing Education through the Association for Play Therapy, which has developed policies, standards, and the credentialing for the practice of Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider #09-263.
*Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals.
Center for Child Counseling is approved through the Florida Board of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Providers #50-11511.
Social and emotional development affects every aspect of a child’s life.
Children are born with the need and desire to connect with those around them. When parents, caregivers and teachers establish and model positive relationships with children during their early years of life, children feel safe and secure, laying the foundation for healthy social and emotional development. This process affects how children experience the world, express themselves, manage their emotions, and establish positive relationships with others.
In this FREE Online Workshop, you will learn about:
Understanding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and Emotional Skills
The Importance of SEL
Social and Emotional Developmental Milestones for grades K-5
Strategies to help your child develop social and emotional skills
Everyone experiences stress. Our bodies are meant to feel stress and to react to it.
Most people experience stress on a daily basis. Stress keeps us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress results from things that impact upon us in the normal course of life. But what happens when our stress does not go away? Your body is only meant to handle stress in small bursts. Chronic stress can lead to serious problems, lowering your immune system and interfering with the proper functioning of your body’s systems.
This webinar consists of two modules: 1. Definition, Impact and Symptoms of Stress and 2. Dealing with Stress: Self-Regulation and Coping Skills. Each module is 20 mins.
In this FREE Online Workshop, you will learn about:
If you have more than one child, chances are good to excellent that you’ve had to referee sibling fighting and rivalry.
Even the best sibling relationships can have their moments of conflict and friction. Sibling bickering can be very challenging and stressful for parents and caregivers to manage.
In this FREE Online Workshop, you will learn about:
