Overcoming Anxiety

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 began her career as a Psychologist, and has worked extensively with children, teens and families and in educational settings. Based in Brisbane, she is now a sought-after speaker and consultant, working with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent focused organisations both in Australia and internationally to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff. Karen is the founder of ‘Hey Sigmund’, an online resource that attracts millions of readers each year and provides contemporary, research-driven resources to support the mental wellness of children and adolescents. Karen speaks with 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.

Participants will be together as a group and Karen will deliver & interact via live-stream.