About this Event
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.
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?
100% of teens who last took the course 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:
“I am more in tune with myself.”
“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, January 11 – March 8, 2022, from 7:00 – 8:15 PM PT
Note: There will be no class on February 22 for mid-winter break
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 Presenter
Kim Armstrong
(she/her/hers)
MA Psychology, MBA
Mindfulness practices have been transformative for Kim and she is Kim is enthusiastic about how these practices may help young people and adults develop a healthy foundation for positive living and well-being. Kim is a co-founder of Space Between, a non-profit that brings the research-based practices of mindfulness, intentional movement, and breathing to children, teens, educators, and families in WA. She has an MA in Psychology for children and adolescents, is a certified yoga teacher, and has trained with Mindful Schools, Next Generation Yoga for teens/kids, The Center for Adolescent Studies, Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, and more. Outside of teaching and working with teachers and youth, she enjoys being with her husband and three teenagers, reading, dancing, cooking, hiking, and being in nature.