CES Sessions
All sessions are offered at no cost.
Our work takes place on historical and contemporary Indigenous lands, including the territories of Treaty 6, Treaty 7 & Treaty 8 and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta and 8 Métis Settlements. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous communities that have been forged in urban centres across Alberta.
Mental Health & Youth ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS), Recovery Alberta
It is normal for children and youth to experience various types of emotional distress as they develop and mature. To promote positive mental health, it is important to be aware of mental illnesses, recognize signs, engage in meaningful conversations, and support a balanced life. This presentation will support you in gaining a greater understanding of mental health and reflect on how you can support the young people in your life.
Sleep Matters: Understanding and Supporting Teen Sleep ***please register using the poster only***
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Mary MacLeod, MSc, Community Health, Cumming School of Medicine; Director of Research, Family Sleep Institute; Founder of De Somno; Member of International Pediatric Sleep Association, Behavioural Sleep Medicine Association, and International Association of Child Sleep Consultants.
Teen sleep is biologically different from child or adult sleep. This session highlights what affects healthy sleep and offers actions that can help improve sleep in this age group influencing learning, mood, mental health, decision-making, and overall wellbeing.
Mental health for highly sensitive teens; unique struggles for these emotional feelers ***please register using the poster only*** *NOT being recorded*
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Tracy Fields, BSW, MSW in partnership with Tracy Fields Counselling
Highly sensitive teens are often misunderstood by parents and teachers as they often have stronger emotional reactions. In this presentation, learn why this happens, and the necessary tools required to help these teens manage their emotions so they don't become derailed.
NOT being recorded
Growing Resilient Teens ***please register using the poster only*** *NOT being recorded*
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE, Associate Therapist and Education Coordinator of Juno House
This session is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Before high school graduation, 1/3 of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, parents, coaches and teachers have extraordinary healing powers to support our teens as they develop into young adulthood.
Resilience is not taught, it is grown in our children. There are ways that we can help our children become more resilient starting within our relationship first.
This 90-minute session will provide participants with:
• a basic introduction of interpersonal neurobiology and anxiety,
• the essential role emotions play in mental well-being,
• how to identify emotions in your child,
• strategies to have a better relationship with your child including how to be an emotion coach.
NOT being recorded
Unmasking ADHD in Girls: Insights, Strategies, and Next Steps ***please register using the poster only***
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Presented by:
Dr. Alethea Heudes, Registered Psychologist
This presentation explores how ADHD can present differently in girls, why it is often overlooked or misunderstood, and how it impacts their day-to-day lives. Participants will leave with strategies, tools, and guidance on next steps for seeking a diagnosis and/or accessing support
Community Drug Awareness ***please register using the poster only*** *NOT being recorded*
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Presented by: Izabella Almasi, B.A., M.A., Community Outreach Coordinator,
YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre
This presentation will:
• Provide parents, guardians, and adults who work closely with youth with the information they need to feel empowered to begin conversations about drug safety.
• Cover a variety of topics, including the risks of both legal and illegal drugs; the ongoing opioid crisis and its impact on youth; common myths about drugs and drug use; and how youth are using social media and the internet to access illegal substances.
• Provide an overview of cannabis use and vaping among teens and young adults.
We will conclude the presentation with tips on how you can keep the youth in your life safe and informed.
NOT being recorded
Supporting Fathers in their Parenting Journey ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by Michael Bautista, Program Facilitator, Families Matter.
Fathers play an integral role in the development and mental well-being of their children; however, we often disregard the needs of fathers in their parenting journey.
This presentation will explore some common themes and myths associated with fatherhood and provide participants with ways to encourage father involvement. Strategies around engagement will also be reflected on which will further highlight the importance of how we can support fathers in their parenting journey.
Can We Talk: Sex Ed for Parents ***please register using the poster only*** ** NOT RECORDED
10:00 AM - Noon
Presented by:
Diana Wark (She/Her), Parent Program Coordinator for Centre for Sexuality
Join us for an interactive workshop to learn how to navigate those sometimes awkward but essential conversations that foster well-being, healthy relationships and informed decision-making. We empower parents with knowledge, skills and confidence to engage in open, honest and supportive conversations about sexuality and sexual health with their children.
This session we will explore puberty including the physical and emotional changes. We will examine how to support young people during puberty and gain tools to discuss sexuality and learn tools for decision making with teens.
** Session is NOT recorded
Navigating Technology with our Youth ***please register using the poster only*** *NOT being recorded*
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE, Associate Therapist and Education Coordinator of Juno House
This session is facilitated by a therapist from Juno House who has years of both clinical and facilitating experience. Juno House was founded in 2008 as a Centre of Excellence for adolescent girls and young women who are experiencing anxiety-based mental health issues of self harm, obsessive compulsive disorders, depression and eating disorders.
Technology is everywhere: the good, the bad and the ugly. Our youth need to learn how to navigate this world and how to be critical about their relationship with tech.
This session is not only about technology’s impact on youth, but is also about a child’s healthy brain development and the necessary parenting role in creating healthy, emotionally regulated and integrated brains. It will teach the foundation of a child’s emotional brain development, how to grow it, and how technology can dangerously hijack it.
This 90-minute session will provide participants with:
• an understanding of the basic neuroscience behind healthy brain development,
• the dangers of technology for healthy brain development,
• technology use rules to help you and your child manage tech use,
• strategies to connect to your child including how to be an emotion coach and build a relationship that can be stronger than their relationship with their tech.
*NOT being recorded*
Parenting your Teen with Confidence ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by Tanya Du Plessis, Program Facilitator, B.A.
Families Matter
Parenting teens can feel like walking a tightrope between holding boundaries and staying connected. Join us for this one hour session to equip caregivers with practical, relationship-centered tools to strengthen connection while fostering independence and resilience.
Collaborative Problem Solving Approach for Children, Youth and Families ***IN-PERSON SESSION, Please register using the poster only***
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Presented by: Rhonda Kent, MA Counselling, RSW, Registered Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor, Early Childhood & Perinatal Mental Health, Recovery Alberta
T.C.R. Wilkes, B.Sc., M.B., ChB., M. Phil., D.C.H., F.R.C.P. (Edin), F.R.C. Psych., F.R.C.P.(C), D.L.F.A.P.A., I.A.A.P., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Consulting Child, Adolescent, Family Psychiatrist & Analyst, Recovery Alberta
Objectives:
1. To learn about the difference between triggers/expectations, lagging skills and challenging behavior.
2. To understand the rationale for helping children and youth develop 5 common lagging skills for better adaptation.
3. To learn the advantages of collaborative vs. coercive approaches with children and youth.
The Effects of Screen Time and Social Media on Children’s Development & Mental Health ***please register using the poster only***
Noon - 1:30 PM
Presented by: Cheryl Gilbert MacLeod, Ph.D., R. Psych
The Family Psychology Place
Screens and social media can influence children's development and mental health, sometimes leading to increased anxiety, sleep issues, or challenges with self-esteem. Learn how to support your children by understanding the impact they have, and the role of setting healthy boundaries for screen time, encouraging open conversations about online experiences, modelling balanced digital habits, and fostering resilience and well-being in a digital age.
Circle of Security ***please register using the poster only*** ** NOT RECORDED
Noon - 1:00 PM
Presented by: Jan McInnis, Program Facilitator, Families Matter
Jan's background is in Diploma of Social Work. Worked for 10 years supporting parents with developmental disabilities and 10 years providing parent coaching and visit supervision to individuals. She has facilitated Parent/Child Mother Goose and The Roots of Empathy programs. She has been facilitating COSP since 2014 with groups and individuals.
Brief description: The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure. Please join Jan for a 1-hour session that reviews some of the key concepts from the Circle of Security attachment-based parenting program.
Depression, Attachment Disorder, PTSD And Bipolar Disorder in Psychiatry ***IN-PERSON SESSION, Please register using the poster only***
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Presented by: T.C.R. Wilkes, B.Sc., M.B., ChB., M. Phil., D.C.H., F.R.C.P. (Edin), F.R.C. Psych., F.R.C.P.(C), D.L.F.A.P.A., I.A.A.P., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Consulting Child, Adolescent, Family Psychiatrist & Analyst, Recovery Alberta
Learning Objectives:
1) Differentiate MDD/PTSD and Attachment Disorders from Bipolar Disorders and Early Psychosis
2) To be aware of the increase in prevalence of child neglect/abuse and its impact on internal working models and subsequent treatment challenges.
3) Awareness of segregated aspects of the psyche when confronted with disturbed behavior.
IN-PERSON SESSION. Only using Zoom for registration purposes.
Presentation Location - HULL SERVICES - social room
2266 Woodpark Ave SW, Calgary
We will send a reminder email prior to the session with additional information.
Circle of Security ***please register using the poster only*** ** NOT RECORDED
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Presented by: Jan McInnis, Program Facilitator, Families Matter
Jan's background is in Diploma of Social Work. Worked for 10 years supporting parents with developmental disabilities and 10 years providing parent coaching and visit supervision to individuals. She has facilitated Parent/Child Mother Goose and The Roots of Empathy programs. She has been facilitating COSP since 2014 with groups and individuals.
Brief description: The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure. Please join Jan for a 1-hour session that reviews some of the key concepts from the Circle of Security attachment-based parenting program.
Postpartum 101- What you need to know about Perinatal Mood disorder ***please register using the poster only***
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Presented by Amanda McMillan BA Manager of Community programs
Families Matter
The focus of this presentation will be on discussing the range of the Postpartum experience and all that in can encompass. Focusing on what to look for, how to create space to speak about it, and to spend some time discussing how to support yourself, or a loved one, where this may be a concern. This discussion can never happen too early or too late, and all are welcome to join, wherever you happen to be on your prenatal/postpartum journey.