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New workshop to help parents navigate the teen years

Oct 10, 2023 | 4:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB-Navigating through the teen years with a child can be challenging but there is help for parents.

The Medicine Hat College is launching a parent-focused workshop series for children between the ages of 12-18. The series is being made possible through The Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project.

Entitled, “Parenting Through Adolescence,” the series is being facilitated by clinical psychologist, Dr. Emily Wang, and master of social work/registered social worker, Shawn O’Grady.

O’Grady will be drawing on his experience in childhood trauma and family counselling. “This program will help parents better understand their child and learn strategies to effectively communicate, avoid conflict, and work through negative behaviours, in a way that helps instill positive mental health in children as they approach adulthood”, said O’Grady.

The five modules within the workshop series are designed to help parents better understand their adolescent’s brain, develop strategies for relationship building, navigate neurodivergent diagnoses, and manage high-risk behaviours in adolescents.

The first module begins on Saturday, Oct. 28. Jennifer Kerslake, director of community engagement at MHC, says the need for the workshop was identified by MHC and its advisory panel, a group of professionals from the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, Medicine Hat Public School Division, Prairie Rose Public Schools, and Medicine Hat Police Service.

“At Medicine Hat College, we believe it is important to offer opportunities that help to meet the needs of our communities,” said Kerslake.

To learn more and to register for the upcoming workshop series, please visit www.mhc.ab.ca. For information about The Beej Project, visit www.mhc.ab.ca/BeejProject