Teaching kids to be Wise about Worries
Worry Wise Children’s Anxiety Group will be offered to families in the Toronto area starting in spring 2018. In this twelve-week program, kids and their parents learn evidence-based coping skills for dealing with worries and fears.
Format
During nine weekly sessions, children learn and practice skills in cognitive-behavioural therapy, yoga, mindfulness and creative expression. The skills help them cope with anxiety, calm the body and mind, and choose wise actions for dealing with worries.
With a focus on families, the program engages caregivers in three parent education sessions. Adults learn strategies to support their children and cope with parenting challenges.
With a focus on families, the program engages caregivers in three parent education sessions. Adults learn strategies to support their children and cope with parenting challenges.
Eligibility and Fees
Children between the ages of 9 and 13 who experience anxiety can apply; no formal diagnosis is required. As part of the application process, children and parents meet with the facilitators in advance to determine their fit for the program.
The cost to participate in the program is $875, and includes:
Families must commit to attending the full twelve sessions.
The cost to participate in the program is $875, and includes:
- For children: nine weeks of skills learning and practice activities in a group setting
- For parents: three group sessions to mirror their child’s learning and build parenting skills
- Specialized children’s yoga instruction linked to weekly learning goals
- Pre and post-program interviews for each family
- The Worry Wise Children’s Workbook
Families must commit to attending the full twelve sessions.
Facilitators
Maria Iosue, MSW/RSW, MAMaria Iosue is a Social Worker, Psychotherapist and Sandplay Therapist with over twelve years of experience in child and adolescent mental health. Children’s anxiety has long been a focus of her practice, where she uses playful and creative approaches to learning.
Maria helped develop the Worry Busters children’s anxiety program at Markham Stouffville Hospital in 2005, and ran it for over ten years. She is pleased to be adapting the program for families in the community. Maria’s experience has taught her that a validating and supportive group experience can be very beneficial to children who worry. |
Lorry ColangeloLorry Colangelo is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher and YogaKids International instructor with a passion for health and well-being. She has over ten years of experience teaching yoga and calming techniques to children with anxiety and depression.
Lorry and Maria worked together in the Markham Stouffville Hospital program, and look forward to ongoing collaboration in community settings. Lorry holds a certificate in Mindfulness from the University of Toronto and recently trained with Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Her passion is to empower others to live with health, happiness, humour, and harmony. |
Dates and Location
The next group begins on March 22, 2018 and runs until June 12. The group meets every Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm at Fairlawn Avenue United Church, 28 Fairlawn Ave, Toronto.
Fall program planning for Toronto and York Region is currently in progress. Contact Maria if you’d like to be notified about upcoming groups.
Fall program planning for Toronto and York Region is currently in progress. Contact Maria if you’d like to be notified about upcoming groups.
Registration
Interested participants can contact Maria by February 23. Families should plan to meet with the facilitators on February 17 or 24 at Fairlawn Avenue United Church.
It is important that the child and all primary caregivers attend this pre-program interview.
It is important that the child and all primary caregivers attend this pre-program interview.
maria@mariaiosue.ca ● 905.771.5211