Counsellor
Counsellor
Hello! My name is Michelle Waddell and I am the school counsellor. I am at Brentwood on Monday & Friday- Full Day
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Mornings.
The best way to contact me is through email: michelle.waddell@eips.ca
Sessions
Worry Warriors Program
Helping children learn skills for managing worry, anxiety, stress and friendships. This 6 week Sherwood Park program is now open for registration. Program information and registration can be found here: https://www.thriveteens.ca/worry-warriors-program
They can be reached at 780-289-5437 or info@thriveteens.ca if you have any questions.
Michelle Engblom Director & Counsellor thriveteens.ca 780-289-5437
Screens and Social Skills
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
6 TO 7:30 P.M.
Technology has changed the ways we interact with one another
making it challenging for some children to develop strong social
skills. Social skills are important for engaging and connecting
with others and parents and caregivers play an important role in
helping their children develop them. Come learn about how to
foster your child’s social skills development in a digital age.
Self-Esteem
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
6 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.
This group looks at the importance of self-esteem in the development of children and teens. Information will be provided on what self-esteem is, why it is important, how parents and caregivers can help foster healthy self-esteem in their children and what factors may be impacting self-esteem. Along with information and discussion, parents and caregivers will also have the opportunity to participate in skill-building exercises.
For more information and to register, please go to strathcona.ca/parentsupport
Free Parenting Sessions
Please check out the following links for free parenting sessions on topics such as anxiety, resiliency and executive functioning.
www.strathcona.ca/parentsupport
Strathcona County is offering FREE information sessions for parents:
- Stress – January 22 – 6:00-7:30pm
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of stress in children and learn how we can decrease and manage some of the stressors that children have. Explore parenting strategies and tips on how to incorporate calming practices into young people’s daily routines.
Alberta Health Services offers the following FREE sessions for parents and caregivers. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/caregiversessions for more information and to register.
Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety
A Step by Step Approach
Focus is on caregivers of kids and teens (Grades K-12).
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health complaints in children and teens today. This session will distinguish between normal anxiety and anxiety that is no longer helpful or productive. It will help caregivers to identify signs that a child or adolescent is experiencing problems with anxiety. Caregivers will gain step by step strategies to assist their child/teen to manage their anxiety and improve their mental health. Resources for parents will be provided as well as tools designed to reduce anxiety.
Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health
Focus is on caregivers of kids and teens (Grades K-12).
Come and learn the importance of sleep on your child’s developing brain. Develop an understanding on how sleep can impact mental and physical health. Review common sleep concerns and factors that influence your child’s ability to get the sleep they need. Leave with practical strategies, tools, and resources to promote healthier sleep habits for your whole family.
Promoting Success in Learning
Focus is on caregivers of kids in elementary school (Grades K-6).
Take a peek inside the developing brain of a child to learn about the processes that enable kids to engage in problem solving and goal directed behaviors. These executive functioning skills are considered to be essential for children to succeed in school and later in life. Learn about these skills and how they impact learning, behavior, emotions, and social interactions. Caregivers will be provided with strategies and resources to assist their children in building their executive functioning skills, including inhibition, working memory and mental flexibility.
Mindfulness - Benefits for the Whole Family
Focus is on caregivers of kids and teens (Grades K-12).
Have you heard about mindfulness? Interest in mindfulness is growing rapidly in schools, communities, and in health-care settings as an evidence-based way of promoting wellness in children, teens, and adults. It can build empathy and optimism in kids, and enhance school performance by supporting the development of executive function (e.g. attention) and self-regulation skills. Caregivers will learn activities the whole family can use to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
Keeping Scattered Kids on Track
Supporting Children and Adolescents with ADHD
Focus is on caregivers of kids and teens (Grades K-12).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental health conditions diagnosed in children. Come and learn about the signs and symptoms of ADHD, ways that ADHD impacts academic achievement, self-worth, and relationships. You will leave with new strategies (not solutions) and resources for supporting success in children as adolescents with ADHD.
Supporting Self-Regulation in Elementary Kids
Focus is on caregivers of kids in elementary school (Grades K-6).
Do you wish you have more information to help children handle strong emotions? Did you know that self-regulation is an essential element to lifelong success? This session will define self-regulation and how it is used in everyday life. It will provide a helpful review regarding the development of self-regulation in children. The strategies and resources provided will empower and foster caregivers’ essential skills to increase children’s mental health and resiliency.
Caregiver Education Series
The Division, in partnership with Alberta Health Services and Elk Island Catholic Schools, is hosting a series of caregiver information sessions focused on ways to support students’ mental health. The sessions are free and geared toward parents, caregivers, teachers and community members who want to learn more about challenges impacting children and adolescents. This year, session topics include anxiety, ADHD, depression, self-harm, technology, teens and teaching leadership skills, and more.
Visit the Division calendar to see all scheduled caregiver sessions.
Boys and Girls Club Information
Check this out!
Kids See Free at Superstore - Is your child 4-10 years old? They’re entitled to once complete pair of glasses FREE. Click here for details - www.realcanadiansuperstore.ca/optical
Caregiver Education Series - These free sessions are for parents, caregivers, teachers and community members to learn about mental health challenges that can impact children and youth. Click here for the Fall Catalogue:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/caregiversessions
Connect Parent is a nine week program for parents of children between 10 and 17. It provides a new perspective on relationships and adolescent development. Parents meet in small groups with two trained leaders for 90 minutes each week. Interested in attending? Call Strathcona County Family and Community Services at 780-464-4044.