What kind of topics do you discuss?
Here is a list of workshops that I have created that are available for your group to better help parents and professionals alike better understand kids and teenagers:
- Who is This Crazy Person Masquerading as My Teenager?
- Homework Sucks! Help for Parents, Success for Students
- Sex, Drugs & Violence: The Three Teenagers of the Apocalypse
- The 1-2-3's for Treating Resistant Teens
- Bully Battleground: Coping with the Inevitable Schoolyard Bully
- Parenting without Panic: Setting Better Boundaries with Your Teens / Children
- Success... But at What Cost? Creating a Healthy Balance for Your Kid
- Co-Parenting with Your Ex-Spouse
- Graduation... Journey to the Unknown
I am constantly researching new topics to present. So if your group or association is interested in learning better ways to help your kids, teens and families change and grow, please Contact me. As each organization is unique, I am able to customize a presentation to fit your interests. In fact I may be working on a topic right now that suits your needs.
Are your seminars dry and boring?
No. Actually, I always get great feedback from participants telling me that these workshops are a lot of fun. Not only are they very interactive, but without fail, there are always great questions from parents that lead to exciting group interactions. This creates more of a discussion-like atmosphere instead of them feeling like dry and boring lectures.
I always try to use levity to lighten some of these very heavy and scary topics. There are three main reasons why I do this:
- Using appropriate and respectful humor can be an effective coping technique for people when broaching sensitive and uncomfortable topics.
- An occasional joke about the struggles of parenthood can help parents realize that they are all going through similar challenges with their kids and can lead to a positive bonding and supportive experience.
- It's just who I am.
Do you do any community outreach specifically geared toward kids?
As a matter of fact, I have. In 2010, I created and presented a workshop at the request of The Buckley School called, Sex, Substance Use and Social Life to the sophomore class. It is a dynamic discussion and activity based workshop geared towards stimulating honest discussion about teenagers’ opinions, feelings and questions about those confusing topics. The goal is to create a greater awareness in teens to make healthy and informed choices when it comes to sex, drugs and peer pressure.
From 2007 – 2008 I volunteered my time as an instructor for "Our Whole Lives" Lifespan Sexuality Education.
WHAT?! What is that?
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for various age groups from as early as kindergarten and going all the way to adulthood. In April, 2008, I concluded a 27-week class providing up-to-date information and honest, age-appropriate education for the 7th – 9th grade class. This program helps kids clarify their values and improve their decision-making skills within a safe and supportive group atmosphere. Our Whole Lives promotes values of self worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity. The goal is to help participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.
Why do you teach kids about sex?
I feel that this is a very important issue in today's world. Children (especially teens) have so much access to information and more importantly... misinformation about sex, leading to very poor decisions. Many of those rash choices can be drastically life altering. The more real information kids have, the better choices they generally make.
As I asked in my February 2007 issue of Tips on Teens #004 - "Are You Worried about Your Teen Having Sex?" -- Who would you rather have (your kid) learn (about sex) from… his 15-year-old ignorant friends? Or you and medical professionals?
That is a scary question for most parents to face; but it is an important one. I'd rather your kid make choices on what knowledgeable professionals teach than on what his friends think they know.
Are there any other organizations that you donate your time to?
Yes, I am a volunteer for the both the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health team in the West San Fernando Valley and the CAMFT Trauma Response Network for both California and the San Fernando Valley. That means if there is ever a local tragedy (anything from a single house fire to a community wide disaster) I am called upon to offer mental health support to both the Red Cross staff and victims of the event.
Will you tell me more about your community outreach?
Of course, I'd be happy to talk to you more about what I do. Please Contact me and we'll talk about how we can collaborate to design a program that would give back to the community by helping kids, teens and their families live happier lives.
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