Programs

For more information and to register, contact us here:

Compassion Focused Parenting Group Program

The Compassion Focused Parenting Program is a 6-week online group therapy program to help parents and caregivers of children (6-11yo) with emotional and behavioural difficulties. This program may be helpful for parents and caregivers who experience high levels of stress, self-criticism, or burnout, and the focus of this group program is to equip parents with skills and perspectives to resolve their child’s emotional or behavioural needs. This program will be held Thursdays online via Zoom. The cost is $50/session, total of $350 per participant.

The Compassion Focused Parenting Group Program is an evidence-informed intervention. The effectiveness of compassion focused parenting groups has been demonstrated around the world such as in Australia, Iran, and in the UK. This program has also been distributed and used in community mental health agencies in Ontario and a community health agency in Ireland.

  • The focus of this group program is to equip parents with skills and perspectives to resolve their child’s emotional or behavioural needs. We believe that parents of children with emotional and behavioural challenges need advanced caregiving skills to help their kids. We also believe that these parents and caregivers are exposed to very high levels of stress and self-blame. This group helps parents work through some of their own emotional challenges in the service of learning and using new skills to help their children.

    The sessions are structured and are focused on teaching and practicing skills. Some of the activities we complete involve guided imagery, guided discussions, role play, and problem solving. Each 2-hour meeting starts with a check-in, then we provide training on a parenting skill. Some of these skills include: dealing with parenting self-criticism, emotion coaching, modifying behaviour, and others.

  • The program is run by Katarina Guillen (M.A, RP). Katarina Guillen is a Registered Psychotherapist who was involved in co-developing this program and has facilitated this group multiple times. She also works with youth, adults, couples, and families in private practice.

  • Yes, parenting/caregiver interventions are a type of psychotherapy and are often an essential component of resolving a child’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. Parenting/caregiver interventions can also provide significant benefits to parents/caregivers themselves.

Other Programs

CFT for Teens

An evidence-based intervention designed for teens struggling with self-criticism, painful emotions, and unhelpful cycles of coping with them. This is a program that was designed for teens that are experiencing a high level of self-criticism and emotional distress which is impacting their well-being and sense of meaning or purpose in life. This group program is offered to teens over 10 two-hour sessions, typically through a virtual meeting.

*Check back soon for future group offerings, currently no availability

Custom Courses

If you have an idea for a custom course to meet your needs, please reach out and share your ideas with us!