If you missed out on the fall cycle, or you thought about joining but weren’t quite sure about this group therapy business, guess what: there’s another option!

For the second consecutive year, Walking on Eggshells is being offered as a one-day workshop!

Join us on December 8, 2019 for a one-day workshop version of this wonderful support group. We will explore several topics related to narcissistic and emotionally immature relationships, including:

• Growing up with emotionally immature or narcissistic parents and how our families shape us

• Family trauma and how it affects multiple generations

• Love, grief, and anger in close relationships

• Setting boundaries in tricky relationships

If you want to connect with others who get your story, deepen your understanding of your own family patterns, and go into the holidays feeling more prepared...this workshop is for you!

Date: Sunday, December 8 from 9am-4pm

Location: The Center for Family Empowerment, 602 Willow Street, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Investment:

• Early bird registration (prior to November 10) $225

• Standard registration (November 11 through November 30) $250

• 11th hour registration (December 1 through December 5) $265

School is back in session! The new school year is underway and your teen’s course work will be picking up, after school activities will be bustling, and stress levels will be rising. Some stress can be a healthy emotion, signaling us to study for a test or practice for a speech in order to resolve the uncomfortable feeling. However, when stress builds, it can begin to have unhealthy affects on the body and the mind.

This workshop can be preventative - teaching your teen healthy ways to manage the overwhelm BEFORE it takes over. But this workshop can also be an intervention - if your teen is struggling with any of the symptoms listed below, it’s time to get them support.

Our Teen Team here at CFE supports so many teens reporting unmanageable levels of stress and anxiety, especially related to school. So… we’re offering this amazing workshop for the third consecutive year to help your teen learn healthy ways to manage big emotions in order to have an amazing school year.

In our Managing School Stress and Anxiety workshop, we will cover:

• Mastering organization to keep track of assignments

• Exploring healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits and how they impact mood

• Practicing coping skills to assist in managing the inevitable stress that will occur in school

• Learning to recognize and change unhealthy thinking patterns

• Utilizing creative strategies to decrease anxiety and stress

This workshop will be co-led by Lindsay Butler, licensed therapist and certified school counselor, and Josie McCall, licensed social worker. Lindsay brings her expertise as a high school counselor and Josie brings her creativity to give your teens a fun and informative 3 hours, after which they will walk away feeling more prepared to handle the school year.

Who: Teens ages 13-18

When: Sunday, November 24th 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: The Center for Family Empowerment, 602 Willow Street Jenkintown

Cost: $100 - Included in the cost is an agenda book and light refreshments

Have a question or need more information?
Send us a message below and we will be in touch shortly!

RELATED:

→ Teen Stress: Where Does it Come From & How to Manage It

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy model that, when using the skills of this model, has been proven effective in managing intense emotions, reducing anxiety and depression, reducing self-harm behaviors and suicidal thoughts, and improving healthy relationships and healthy communication.

Essentially, using these skills helps your teen
create a life worth living.

Ideal for teens who:

• Struggle with anxiety and/or depression

• Have a hard time identifying and/or sharing feelings

• Engage in self-harm behaviors or have suicidal thoughts

• Make impulsive decisions

• Struggle making connections with friends and/or family

HOW WILL THIS WORKSHOP HELP YOUR TEEN? 
THEY WILL LEARN...

- What mindfulness is and how to incorporate it into his/her life in a way that feels manageable
- How to use the skill of non-judgmental stance: how to practice being non-judgmental towards themselves, situations, and others in order to decrease emotional spirals
- how to tolerate distress: learn ways to manage difficult situations/crises in safe, healthy, and effective ways
- emotion regulation: what their emotions are, what they feel like in their bodies, and how to begin managing them (if we know the warning signs that emotions are going to spiral, we can stop them before they get to that place)
- how to build healthy relationships and use healthy communication

All in a safe and supportive environment that promotes healthy peer connection!

WORKSHOP DETAILS...

WHO: This workshop is perfect for teens who could benefit from learning skills of DBT and feeling connected to teens just like them
WHAT: A full-day workshop designed to give your teen a fun, informative, and skill-focused day over spring break! Your teen will also have the opportunity to work with FIVE of our Teen Team Therapists!
WHERE: The Center for Family Empowerment 602 Willow Street Jenkintown PA 19046
WHEN: Thursday April 18th from 9am - 4pm
INVESTMENT: $220 (includes lunch and all materials)

SCHEDULE
9-9:30 - Getting to Know Each Other!
9:30 - 10:30 - Mindfulness Module: Understanding States of Mind
10:30 - 11:30 - Mindfulness Module: Practicing being Non-Judgmental to decrease emotionality
11:30 - 11:45 - Break
11:45 - 12:45 - Distress Tolerance Module: How to Cope with Crises in a healthy & effective way
12:45 - 1:15 - Pizza Lunch*
1:15 - 2:15 - Emotional Regulation Module: Understanding & Managing Big Emotions
2:15 - 2:30 - Break
2:30 - 3:30 - Interpersonal Effectiveness Module: Building healthy relationships, improving communication, and practicing assertiveness
3:30 - 4:00 - Wrap Up

*please let us know if your teen has any allergies

Ready to register or have any questions?
Complete the form below and we will be in touch shortly to schedule a brief phone call.

Students are well into their first month of school. Their course work may be picking up as well as their sports or activities schedule. Along with their busier schedule, their stress level may be building as well. Some stress can be a healthy emotion, signaling us to study for a test or practice for a speech in order to resolve the uncomfortable feeling. However, when stress builds, it can begin to have unhealthy affects on the body and the mind.

What should you look for in your teen to assess if they are struggling with unhealthy amounts of stress? 

At the Center for Family Empowerment, we work with many teens that report feeling stress or anxiety related to school. We created a workshop to target these negative symptoms because we know how important it is to learn healthy coping skills to manage tough emotions. In our Managing School Stress and Anxiety workshop, we will cover:

• Mastering organization to keep track of assignments

• Exploring healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits and how they impact mood

• Practicing coping skills to assist in managing the inevitable stress that will occur in school

• Learning to recognize and change unhealthy thinking patterns

• Utilizing art strategies to decrease anxiety and stress

Lindsay Butler, licensed therapist and certified school counselor, and Christina Marrero, art therapist, will facilitate these workshops.

Who: Middle school students

When: Saturday, November 3rd, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Where: The Center for Family Empowerment

Cost: $90 - Included in the cost is an agenda book and light refreshments

Interested in a similar workshop for your high schooler? Try our Managing School Stress and Anxiety Workshop for High Schoolers.

Students are well into their first month of school. Their course work may be picking up as well as their sports or activities schedule. Along with their busier schedule, their stress level may be building as well. Some stress can be a healthy emotion, signaling us to study for a test or practice for a speech in order to resolve the uncomfortable feeling. However, when stress builds, it can begin to have unhealthy affects on the body and the mind.

What should you look for in your teen to assess if they are struggling with unhealthy amounts of stress? 

At the Center for Family Empowerment, we work with many teens that report feeling stress or anxiety related to school. We created a workshop to target these negative symptoms because we know how important it is to learn healthy coping skills to manage tough emotions. In our Managing School Stress and Anxiety workshop, we will cover:

• Mastering organization to keep track of assignments

• Exploring healthy sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits and how they impact mood

• Practicing coping skills to assist in managing the inevitable stress that will occur in school

• Learning to recognize and change unhealthy thinking patterns

• Utilizing art strategies to decrease anxiety and stress

Lindsay Butler, licensed therapist and certified school counselor, and Christina Marrero, art therapist, will facilitate these workshops.

Who: High school students

When: Sunday, October 28th 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: The Center for Family Empowerment

Cost: $90 - Included in the cost is an agenda book and light refreshments

Interested in a similar workshop for your middle schooler? Try our Managing School Stress and Anxiety Workshop for Middle Schoolers.

Making the transition to Kindergarten is SUCH a challenge for your child. They are OFFICIALLY a little big kid. That's some real responsibility. They're in a full day of school, taking the bus on their own, learning all day without a nap and doing it all without you. Your new kindergartener will likely be EXHAUSTED. They may start tantruming more, become withdrawn or whining because they're unsure how to tell you that being a big kid is a lot of work. As parents, if we're not super aware of what these behaviors mean, we may not know that our children need comfort during the tough time of transition.

Kellie Cathey, LSW is creating a workshop to help you help your new kindergartener through the transition.

Benefits of Transitioning to Kindergarten:

• Learn about all ways your new kindergartener may discharge their exhaustion onto you (tantrums, whining, power struggles)

• Discover ways to help comfort them through the struggle of the transition

• Determine the different ways they need to be comforted

• Learn about setting limits for behaviors that are a result of the transition

• Recognize signs to seek more support if your child isn't transitioning well

• Understand how to maintain balance within the family system when a big transition (like Kindergarten) is happening

Who: Parents of children transitioning to Kindergarten

What: A workshop designed to give parents a space to discuss the transition to Kindergarten. We want to give parents the space to get information about how to best handle the transition and connect with other parents who are experiencing a similar situation.

When: Sunday, October 21st at 2:00pm

Cost: $25 per couple

Are you interested? Register by contacting Kellie!

An event designed for high school students to help them learn the skills necessary to stay calm, organized and optimistic during the college application process.

Is your teen approaching their senior year of high school and beginning to feel the stress of choosing and applying to colleges? Are they worried about their GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, and acceptances? Do they feel overwhelmed making decisions about their future while balancing their classwork and activities? How can you help your teen stay calm and organized during the process? Our workshop, “I'm applying to college, now how do I survive the process?” can help!

This workshop is designed to help high school students who are applying to college learn to:

• Organize college application materials

• Formulate an action plan

• Practice time management

• Cope with stress and anxiety related to college and future plans

• Learn how self-talk can help or hurt the college application process

  This workshop will be led by Lindsay Butler, LPC and certified school counselor.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

WHO: High school students

WHAT: A one-day workshop to help teens cope with the stress and anxiety of the college application process

WHERE: The Center for Family Empowerment at 602 Willow Street, Jenkintown PA 19046

WHEN: Saturday, September 22nd at 9:30am - 12 pm

INVESTMENT: $75 for a 2 1/2-hour workshop. Payment is non-refundable.

Ready to register your teen?

One of the core causes of parental anxiety. The supermarket meltdown in childhood.

One thing parents can do to make these difficult times more manageable is to have a set of tools to handle this inevitable part of their child's development. In this free workshop, we will work to de-stigmatize the tantrum and develop skills to help meet your child's temper with tenderness.

Benefits of Talking Temper Tantrums:

• Discover why children tantrum and why tantrums are important
• Develop skills for managing any temper tantrum
• Delve into topics of hitting, biting, kicking and what to do with it
• Learn tantrum-ing parents tips for success in any situation
• Connect with other parents in open discussion 
• Have fun discovering more about yourself as a parent 

Who: Parents of children ages 3-12

What: A workshop designed to give parents a space to discuss temper tantrums. We will lead the discussion with open processing about temper tantrums, leading into information about the temper tantrum and how it looks differently in childhood and adolescence. We will close the workshop with tools to use when the time for temper strikes again.

When: Saturday, September 15th at 1:00pm

Why: We know that these moments are a challenge for parents. At the Center for Family Empowerment, it is one of our goals to provide resources for parents to feel more at ease raising resilient and empowered children. In this workshop, we will show you how to use the temper tantrum as an opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your child instead of breaking it.

Cost: Free!

If you're interested, register by contacting Kellie!

Coming Soon... A full day workshop for teens! 

Topics to include:

• self-esteem and body image
• managing stress and anxiety
• creating boundaries and assertiveness to increase healthy relationships
• conflict resolution
• and more... 

Space is limited! Jump on our waitlist to be the first to receive more information!

Research says that:

- 20% of teens ages 13-18 meet criteria for a mental health diagnosis
- Anxiety, depression, self esteem, and body image are among the top reported challenges for teens
- Peer conflict and bullying are one of the leading stressors for teens
- The average delay between the onset of symptoms and treatment is 8-10 years
- Rates for mental health concerns in teens continue to rise yearly

Does your teen:

- Often put him/herself down or struggle accepting a compliment?
- Talk about being unhappy with his/her body or physical traits?
- Have difficulty being assertive and standing up for him/herself with peers?
- Tend to put others' needs before his/her own?
- Have a tendency to get overwhelmed and struggle with managing stress?
- Feel overwhelmed with trying to balance school, sports, activities, and a social life?
- Struggle with being true to who he/she is and fit in with peers?
- Struggle handling fights with friends, often being left with lots of hurt feelings and unresolved frustrations?

If so.... our Spring Break Workshop might be a great support for your teen!
Details and registration below.

How will this workshop help your teen?
They will learn...

- Skills to build healthy self-esteem and ways to claim their strengths
- How to be both assertive AND kind - how to say "no" in a way that works
- What boundaries are, why they are important, and how to set them to best promote healthy relationships
- Strategies to increase organization
- Skills to recognize and challenge anxious and negative thoughts
- What conflict is and what it can look like
- Skills to navigate healthy conflict resolution
- Coping skills to decrease anxiety and stress

All in a safe and supportive environment that promotes healthy peer connection!

WORKSHOP DETAILS...

WHO: This workshop is perfect for teens who could benefit from building healthy self-esteem, setting boundaries to create healthy relationships, learning effective ways to manage stress and anxiety, learning the skills necessary to resolve conflict in a healthy and empowered way, and feeling connected to teens just like them
WHAT: A full-day workshop designed to give your teen a fun, informative, and skill-focused day over spring break!
WHERE: The Center for Family Empowerment 602 Willow Street Jenkintown PA 19046
WHEN: Thursday March 29th from 9am - 4pm
INVESTMENT: $175* (includes lunch and all materials)
*use the coupon code SPRINGBREAK to receive $15 off enrollment

SCHEDULE
9-9:30 - Getting to Know Each Other/Stretching
9:30 - 10:30 - I Am Me: A Self Esteem Building Workshop
10:30 - 11:30 - Building Assertiveness & Boundaries
11:30 - 11:45 - Break
11:45 - 12:45 - Managing School Stress & Anxiety
12:45 - 1:15 - Pizza Lunch*
1:15 - 2:15 - Managing Conflict and Building Connections
2:15 - 2:30 - Break
2:30 - 3:30 - Pick Up Group: A Character Creation Workshop (a pick up group (PUG) in online gaming is a group of random players who decide to join together to meet a common goal)
3:30 - 4:00 - Wrap Up/Guided Meditation

*please let us know if your teen has any allergies

I Am Me: A Self-Esteem Building Workshop
facilitated by Jessica Paist, LMFT

Teens overwhelmingly struggle with maintaining healthy self-esteem and owning their strengths. In fact, research tells us that self-esteem begins to plummet at age 9 and remains low through adolescence. Unfortunately, just when your teen's self-esteem is dropping is actually when they need a healthy sense of self the most - healthy self-esteem is a vital part of your teen being able to stand up for themselves, resist peer pressure, and know their worth. 

In this part of our workshop, your teen will learn:
- what self-esteem is
- how to challenge negative messages from society and the media
- ways to confidently claim their strengths and know their worth

Building Assertiveness & Boundaries
facilitated by Amy Marlow-MaCoy, LPC

Your teen has lots of amazing qualities - she's caring, compassionate, supportive, and always ready to help her friends. You love that about her, but sometimes you also wonder if there might be some unintended side effects to being such a good friend. Does your wonderful teen ever seem to get stepped on by her friends? Does she take care of everyone else first but forget to take care of herself? Is she so busy being a good friend to other people that she gets left behind?

Healthy relationships come from healthy boundaries. Learning to say no sometimes can be one of the most important lessons we learn in developing healthy relationships!

In this part of our workshop, your teen will learn:
-that it's okay to say "No" in relationships
-why it's so hard for us to say "no" sometimes, and why it can be the best word in our vocabulary
-how to say "YES" to supporting, loving, and taking care of herself
-10 different ways to say no without feeling like a bad friend

Managing School Stress and Anxiety
facilitated by Lindsay Butler, LPC & certified school counselor

School can definitely be a major source of stress and anxiety for teens. Learning to recognize unhealthy levels of stress and cope with negative symptoms can help to create emotional balance as well as increase success in school. Our Managing School Stress and Anxiety group will teach your teen how to cope with stress and anxiety related to school and help to organize their lives.

In this part of our workshop, your teen will learn:
- strategies to increase organization
- skills to recognize and challenge anxious and negative thoughts
- learn coping skills to decrease anxiety and stress

Managing Conflict & Building Connections
facilitated by Kellie Cathey, LSW

With all the 'drama' in teenage relationships, you might be realizing that your son or daughter is an aspiring actor or actress, right?  You know, definitely the next Emma Stone or Chris Hemsworth ;)

But in reality, conflict is a huge thing to navigate for teens.  It actually may be one of the most difficult areas they are confronted with in their growing years. 

And it's not easy.  

In fact, stress around conflict is often something we carry into adulthood when we continue to resolve conflict in a way that ends in arguments or hurt feelings.

Luckily, at our Spring Break Workshop, our Play Therapist Kellie Cathey, LSW is doing a workshop on... conflict resolution!

In this part of our workshop, your teen will:
- Get a better understanding of what conflict is and what it can look like
- Learn skills to navigate healthy conflict resolution
- Use these skills in session to practice conflict resolution
- Role play current conflicts in their lives and get live feedback from Kellie (so they can ACTUALLY channel their inner actor/actress)

And MOST OF ALL...

- Have tons of fun talking about a topic that maybe isn't so fun to talk about

Pick Up Group: A Character Creation Workshop
facilitated by Christina Marrero, LPC & Registered Art Therapist

This workshop focuses on the art of character creation as an expression of who your teen is! In this group, teens will have the opportunity to design their own character (think video games, comics, anime, etc.) with guidance from Christina. They can also take this opportunity to further develop a previously created character. Then in a group setting, your teens will explore their character’s strengths, how they interact with the other characters that have been created, and confront a mini-obstacle together. We’ll maintain an atmosphere of fun, connection, and creativity for everyone who comes!

In this part of our workshop, your teen will:
- get a chance to explore working cooperatively with new people in a fun way
- be encouraged to practice problem solving and the possibility to re-imagine perceived weaknesses as strengths

*Anyone can complete this workshop even without previous artistic experience. Your teens will use their imagination to explore infinite possibilities and discover superpowers they never knew they had!

Are you with us?
Click the button below to complete enrollment!

Have a question?
Fill out the form below and Jessica will be in touch!

A workshop designed to teach teens the skills needed to
cope with stress & succeed in school!

This workshop originally ran in September and was such a hit that we are offering it again this fall! Date/Time TBD so click the link below to jump on the waitlist to be the first to know when this next workshop will be held!

Does your teen:
- feel nervous to start school?
- struggle with staying organized and on top of assignments?
- feel easily overwhelmed with school stress?
- lose track of assignments or forget materials at school?

If so, this is the workshop for them!

We will accomplish:
- mastering organization to keep track of assignments
- exploring healthy sleep and nutrition habits
- practicing coping skills to assist in managing the inevitable stress that will occur
- learning to recognize & change unhealthy thinking related to school

Facilitated by:  Lindsay Butler, LPC and Christina Marrero, LPC 

Lindsay has her Master's degree in school counseling (certified K-12) and worked as a high school guidance counselor for 5 years. She knows what it takes to help teens manage school stress, organize assignments, and succeed in school.

Christina is an art therapist and counselor who enjoys helping kids and teens create their best selves. She brings humor, patience, and passion to her work. She offers individual and group art therapy at The Center for Family Empowerment. 

When? TBD

Where? The Center For Family Empowerment 602 Willow Street Jenkintown

Cost? $75, which includes all snacks, resources, and an assignment book (that Lindsay will be going through to show the teens just how to master staying organized). Cost also includes a parent email detailing the skills learned and sharing useful tips for helping keep your teen on track this school year.

Want to be the first to know of details for the next round of this workshop? Jump on the waitlist below!

Have any questions? Contact Lindsay using the form below and she will reach out to determine the next best steps.

Let's face it. Your child or teen is surrounded by technology. Phones, computers, apps, social media - the list could go on. Research tells us that the more we use technology, the greater our chances are for increased levels of anxiety and depression and decreased self-esteem. Research also tells us which apps are the worst offenders. It can be SO HARD to monitor your child or teen's use, especially because they use technology not only to keep in touch with friends but also for school.

How do you find the balance between allowing them to use technology and also setting limits for their own mental health and safety? Join us for a parent workshop designed to answer your most important questions about teens and technology.

When: Saturday, September 23rd from 1-3pm

Cost: Free! 

Where: The Center for Family Empowerment 602 Willow Street Jenkintown

Ready to register and receive more tips on navigating technology with your teen? Fill in the form below and we'll contact you directly.