Alisha is passionate about supporting healthy relationships in times of stress. For this reason Alisha facilitates workshops for professionals in the helping profession, parents and teens.
Preventing & Healing from
Compassion Fatigue
Feeling irritable, angry, or depressed? Do you work with a vulnerable population group? Do you have a big heart but sometimes find yourself needing to shut down, have that extra slice of pizza, or yell at someone you love? If so, you may be experiencing what experts call Compassion Fatigue (CF).
Compassion fatigue refers to the profound emotional and physical erosion that takes place when helpers are unable to refuel and regenerate (university of Bristol). Those who have jobs that require high levels of empathy are more susceptible to this type of burn out.
If you are looking to support your team by preventing burn out this workshop is for you. As we know, by being proactive and making steps to prevent burn out companies save themselves the hassle and cost of employee turn-over.
In this workshop we address compassion fatigue and how it impacts people’s personal and professional life. We take time to address practical steps in immediate preventing compassion fatigue. Finally we look at what to do if you find yourself in the middle of compassion fatiuege, how you got there, and how to recover.
Impacts of Screens on Children and Teens
Do you ever wonder how screens are impacting children? Do they really cause behavioural difficulties, depression, anxiety or unwanted stress? If so, what do we do about it?
As of May 2016, BC parents are now legally responsible for their children’s online activities. The legal system is trying to communicate the importance of parenting the online world. There is an obvious gap between parents who grew up with very little access to personalized internet and the online atmosphere of children today.
This workshop addresses current research on how screen time impacts the biological, psychological and social development of children and teens. Because primary caregivers are the key to raising healthy, well adjusted children the workshop seeks to address relevant topics that kids and teens are encountering today in order to support parents, youth workers, social workers, teachers and anyone who has an influence on a child or teen. Topics include:
- brain development
- cyberbullying
- blackmail
- pornography
- teen sexting
- blackmail
- cyber -etiquette
- online bullying
If you’d like training and support for your social workers, teachers, youth workers, or ministry team, or if you need an upgrade on relevant research and clinical assessment predictors impacting differential diagnosis as a therapist working with families, children or teens book a seminar today.
Teen Sexting
Teen Sexting is defined as kids under the age of 18 years create and send online sexual content. This behaviour is legally considered ‘creating and distributing child pornography’ and has very serious legal and personal consequences.
As a part of parenting the online world there now needs to be ongoing conversations with our children about teen sexting. Chances are that even if your teen is not engaged in creating images, or even sharing or forwarding images, research suggests that they have likely received unwanted sexual images on their personal devices (phone, iPad, computer, social media platform, text, Skype, snap-chat etc).
This workshop seeks to empower parents, teachers, ministry workers and youth workers on what we need to know about our legal responsibility and practical tools and tips on how to have practical, realistic conversations with our teens and preteens about teen sexting.
This workshop seeks to address:
- Overview of recent statistics
- Address personal, legal, social and future impacts
- When and how to report in British Columbia
- Tips for how to interact with teens on this topic so that they will listen
Alisha’s graduate studies included research on teen sexting and the personal and legal implications on adolescents and their families. Additionally, her work as a Youth and Family Counsellor referral source with the RCMP has given her unique experience and insight on how to address this sensitive topic.
Parenting Kids with Anxiety
Anxiety in children is at an all-time high in Canada and across the US. What is causing so much anxiety in our children and teens and how do we help them gain resiliency?
The latest statistics tell us that childhood anxiety disorders are strongly linked to increased risk for later depression, anxiety, behaviour problems and substance abuse (Children’s Mental Health Report, 2018), yet anxiety is very treatable. Take this opportunity to learn about childhood anxiety and how to help your sensitive child move through uncomfortable thoughts, physical sensations, ruminations and fears.
This workshop will give you practical ideas and suggestions on how to approach your child when they are experiencing anxiety and discuss practical grounding techniques (including when they are experiencing panic episodes). We will address how to see your child’s experience of anxiety and discuss ways to help them see themselves and the world from a more secure place.