Parents of Teens
What our teens face today is so different than when we were growing up, with a host of new parenting challenges. I feel happy (and relieved) to be able to discuss ideas with other parents, talk to experts, and have such great support from the facilitators. Thank You!
Anne P - Group Participant
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 8:45pm
April 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, and 17
McMurray Middle School Library
FREE
Parents have the greatest influence on teens making healthy choices as they move toward adulthood. Yet being a parent of a teen can be an extremely trying time. Children are developing their skills of independence, critical thinking, and challenging authority. There is frequently conflict and disharmony as expectations are questioned and boundaries tested. Parents often feel isolated, confused, and fearful when they encounter changes in their children - unsure what is normal adolescent development or something more serious.
While there are many options for parents to connect during elementary and early middle school years, these seem to tail off as children hit adolescence - a time when they are at higher risk for substance abuse, emotional/behavioral issues, and suicide.
VARSA’s Parents of Teens group offers families additional support and information about best practices, ways to expand parenting skills, and an opportunity to connect with other families.
Over six weeks, each 2 hour meeting will include in-depth discussion, presentations from subject matter experts, parent networking, and resource sharing.
Weekly meetings can include topics such as:
· When it’s more than sad - Teen depression & anxiety.
· Teen Development - What’s important to know.
· Building Resiliency - Assisting teens through transitions.
· Managing Conflict - At home and in school.
· Doing the chores! Why household help is so important.
· Digital Devices: Influence and impact.
· Under Construction: Substance use and the teen brain.
· Adaptive parenting styles.
· Teen relationships: Romance, heartbreak, and sex.
Woody Pollock
Woody Pollock attended the University of Idaho and LIOS Graduate Collage of Saybrook University. He has a Bachelors Degree in Public Communications and a Masters in Psychology with a concentration in Systems Counseling.
He has worked in the fields of leadership, education, and training for over 20 years, and has supported individuals, families, and groups as they connect more deeply with themselves an others in a variety of settings. He specializes in working with youth, adults, and diverse populations in an therapeutic counseling setting.
He also has extensive background in alternative and experiential education, working with youth as a mentor and vocational trainer, and with adults as a facilitator for leadership and group development. He is currently a community trainer for national curricula, delivering evidenced-based parenting, prevention, and mental health programs across the state.
Woody has a deep passion for menswork, and is an active long-time participant in ManKind Project meetings and weekends. He leads mens’ groups as part of his practice, as a way for men to connect and explore their deeper selves and hold themselves accountable in a culture that encourages men to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence.
Currently consulting with case managers of youth in foster care, Woody is also trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief, and is completing certification in Process Oriented Psychology at the Process Work Institute, Portland.
Tanya Flanagin
Tanya Flanagin is a mindfulness-based counselor committed to the personal growth of individuals and their communities. She holds a master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on family systems counseling. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health psychology from Bastyr University. She is trained in various mindfulness disciplines, such as; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
She has worked in social services for the past decade assisting individuals and families navigating crisis situations, homelessness, depression, anxiety and chronic mental illness in both a case management and therapeutic setting. She has extensive experience in domestic violence advocacy, trauma informed care, relationship skill building and support group facilitation.
Tanya specializes in working with women with an emphasis on the cultural impact on women’s emotional health. The majority of the work that she engages in with women is the examination and dismantling of self-judgment, beliefs surrounding perfectionism and negative self- images.
In addition to working with women, she works with individuals, families and teens. She holds the belief that support is vital in the health and growth of all families and communities.