A free parenting workshop in partnership with Parenting Connections Southwest will be running at the Collie Family Centre in August for parents with children aged from 10 to 16 years old.
The workshop, Tuning in to Teens, will be used as an intervention to prevent adolescent mental health problems.
Collie Family Centre manager Sharon Thompson said every parent would benefit from the workshop.
“We have families on a daily basis coming into the centre seeking support with their teenagers, sometimes there is a disconnect between the parent and child,” she said.
“We want to give parents the tools to help build positive relationships with their children.”
Parenting Connections Southwest facilitator Sue Riccelli said the program also aims to improve communication between parent and adolescent, especially around times of conflict.
“Tuning in to Teens aims to teach parents how to assist their adolescent in understanding and managing their emotions while also helping parents with their own emotional reactions to their teen. The program also aims to improve communication between parent and adolescent, especially around times of conflict,” she said.
“The program provides parents with a greater understanding of their teen’s emotional experiences while teaching specific skills that can assist in being supportive, empathic and staying connected with the young person.
“It further aims to improve parent’s emotional awareness, regulation and communication style and provide them with an opportunity to reflect on their own emotion socialisation experience.”
The workshop was generated from the University of Melbourne after decades of evidence based research and was designed after the success of the original workshop – Tuning in to Kids for parents of younger children.
The workshop will run for five weeks starting August 14.
For more information contact the Collie Family Centre on 9734 5343.
