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, try a variety of mindfulness practices, play some games and move, and do some creative projects.
We will also learn practical skills you can use at any moment to help when feeling stressed and overwhelmed with emotions. 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.
Course Outline
- 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.”
Course Dates
Tuesday Evenings, March 14 – May 9, 2023
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Note: No class on April 11
Getting to Kincaid Hall
By car: There are no parking lots directly adjacent to Kincaid Hall. If you are driving, please allow yourself an extra 15-20 minutes to locate parking and walk to Kincaid Hall. The University of Washington offers pay-lots and parking garages. Metered street parking is also available but very limited. Parking fees around campus range from $1.00 to $4.00 an hour. Learn more about parking options here.
By bus or light rail: More than 60 bus routes serve the University District and a Link Light Rail Station is located 1/2 mile away.
By bike: Kincaid Hall is located directly off the Burke Gilman Trail between 15th Ave NE and the NE Pacific Street overpass. Bike racks are conveniently located at Kincaid and throughout campus.
An important note in light of COVID-19
Masks and vaccinations are strongly recommended, although not currently required. Correct use of well-fitting masks or face coverings protects the wearer as well as others, thereby helping to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
Health and safety requirements are subject to change. Participants will be required to follow current guidelines in place at the time of the program.
Participants who have symptoms of COVID-19, are required to stay home and should get tested and/or see a health care provider. Any participant who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home following current guidelines from DOH and the CDC. This isolation guidance applies regardless of vaccination status.
Scholarships Available
CCFW aims to promote well-being by making evidence-based mindfulness practices available and accessible to community members. We believe that mindfulness has positive implications for youth and their families. Therefore, we aim to provide mindfulness programs to families by removing possible financial barriers. If these fees are cost-prohibitive for your family, we invite you to apply for a scholarship.
About the Presenters
Kim Armstrong, Space Between
(she/her/hers)
Co-Founder and Co-Director of Space Between, a non-profit with a mission of facilitating human and school transformation through mindfulness practices.
Kim practices mindfulness in order to know, see, and feel what is really important in life. Her favorite mindfulness quote is “Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Kim has a masters in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington and is a certified meditation teacher and 500 hour yoga teacher. Kim’s super power is deep listening with full presence. When she isn’t managing operational details, she can be found strumming chords on her guitar. What she wants you to know is “I am much more fun and less serious than I appear! Ask me about Forest Bathing or Zumba.”