About this Event
CCFW does not provide mental health or substance use treatment or services, nor do our mindfulness and compassion-based courses substitute for diagnosis or treatment for mental health or substance use problems such as depression, anxiety, or addiction. Find a list of mental health resources on CCFW’s resource page.
Based on the evidenced-based curriculum of Mindful Self Compassion, the Mindful Schools curriculum, and principles of positive psychology; this 8-week experiential program for teens provides practices and tools to manage stress, increase feelings of happiness and well-being, and promote emotional resilience. In each weekly session, we will discuss concepts related to well-being and do a variety of practices, including mindfulness practices, intentional movement, and creative projects.
We will also learn practical skills you can use at any moment to help when feeling stressed and overwhelmed with emotions. Research suggests that participation may reduce depression and anxiety in teens and may positively impact engagement and academic performance. This course is open to high school students and high school-aged youth only. Our facilitator has experienced the power of mindfulness and compassion personally and in support of the well-being of youth.
This course centers on the youth that are participating and course content will evolve to meet the needs present in each group. The outline below is an example of some content we may cover:
- Week 1: What is Mindful Self-Compassion?
- Week 2: How do we practice paying attention on purpose?
- Week 3: How can we bring in more kind thoughts versus self-criticism? Why do this anyway?
- Week 4: What is Self-Compassion anyway? Is it selfish?
- Week 5: How do Self-Compassion and Self-Esteem differ?
- Week 6: How do we live more fully?
- Week 7: How can we work to better manage difficult emotions?
- Week 8: How do we find more gratitude in life?
Teen Feedback
80% of teens who participated in our last program indicated that they had some or significant improvement in their stress levels or mood. Here is what a few teens have said about the program:
“This program helps you to be better equipped in staying in the present moment, restructuring your inner critic, and learning how to calm intrusive thoughts. You become more in tune with your own thoughts and inner voice.”
“People should take it if they want to gain valuable knowledge on how to better understand and appreciate yourself, or just if you need to learn how to manage emotions better.”
“I can see that I’ve been able to be more self-compassionate and just feeling better about myself. When I started this class, I was kinda at a low point and really just needed all the support I could get and now I’m doing the best I have in months.”
“I have actually been better at dealing with stressful events that are outside my control.”
“It is really good at providing a lot of different concepts and practices that you can use in your everyday life.”
“People should take it if they want to gain valuable knowledge on how to better understand and appreciate yourself, or just if you need to learn how to manage emotions better.”
Online Dates and Times
Tuesdays Evenings
March 4 – April 29, 2025
6:00 – 7:00 PM PT (Pacific Time)
(No class on April 8th for spring break)
Scholarships Available
CCFW aims to promote well-being by making evidence-based mindfulness practices available and accessible to community members, particularly professionals working with children and families. We believe that mindfulness has positive implications for professionals as well as the children and families they interact with. Therefore, we wish to encourage mindfulness training by removing possible financial barriers for professionals working with these specific populations. If these fees are cost-prohibitive for you, we invite you to apply for a scholarship.
About the Presenter
Damithia Nieves
Damithia Nieves (she/they) is the founder of Thrive Centered, and a Co-Director with Space Between an organization that brings mindfulness programming to classrooms and communities. She is a certified trauma sensitive yoga instructor and trained as a teen mindfulness facilitator through Inward Bound (formerly I.B.M.E) and has served as a mentor on teen retreat. As a facilitator and educator, Damithia brings trauma-informed, culturally responsive movement and mindfulness programs to schools and communities. Her classes are composed of a healing centered methodology rooted in the belief that the body is a gateway towards the remembrance of wholeness. Her work in the classroom exists to disrupt dominant narratives that derail personal and collective growth and healing. She aspires to provide the space for students of all ages to experience and embody the intersections of healing, community, and quality of life.