Mental Health & Wellness Education
Conversations about teen mental health today that provide tools and resources.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
MONTHLY ON SUNDAYS • 4:00PM - 5:30PM. Register below.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?: 7th-12th graders, college-age youth, parents, and teachers.
Our topics change each month, however, each provides tools that promote connection, wellness and self-care.
DECEMBER 6, 2020
[quaranTEEN] Social Justice & Advocacy
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP>JANUARY 10, 2021
[Parent & Community] Setting intentions for the new year. Tips for staying healthy & active with remote learning OR Managing our digital devices & social media
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
[quaranTEEN] College Panel
MARCH 7, 2021
[quaranTEEN] Time management & financial wellness
APRIL 11, 2021
[Parent & Community] Mindful & compassionate listening
MAY 16, 2021
[quaranTEEN] Non-Profit Panel - creating meaningful community service opportunities
REGISTRATION PROCESS
- A registration link can be found under each workshop description.
In order to receive your ZOOM link, you will need to register.
- - Anyone who registers in advance will also be put in our raffle and at the end of each workshop, we will announce the winner.
- After you register, you will receive an automated email from no-reply@zoom.us with a link to the workshop. Please save this link.
- - In addition, we will also send you a reminder email [education@youthwell.org] the night before with the link.
WORKSHOP [ZOOM] ETIQUETTE
- Please review our ZOOM Instructions & Etiquette PRIOR to attending your first workshop.
- VIRTUAL FORMAT: If there is more than 1 person in a family attending the workshop, please make sure to register individually if you want to be on separate devices.
QUESTIONS
- If you have questions, you can EMAIL info@youthwell.org OR CALL 805.448.2426.
The workshops are hosted in Santa Barbara, CA, and open to any 7th grade through college-age students. [NOTE: Parents are invited to attend the workshops however we ask that you take a more passive role so that the youth have the change to ask their questions and guide the conversations.]
We want to work together to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma around mental health through education by promoting connection and the power of listening while providing tools to practice self-care.
The quaranTEEN workshops were started in April 2020 and held weekly after students as a result of COVID-19. They were designed to help youth feel connected to other students, focus on mental wellness, and have some fun exploring other interests. After seeing the positive response with 75+ attending each week, we have decided to continue for the 2020-2021 school year as students continue with remote learning. We will have a variety of topics and speakers.
If you have questions, you can EMAIL info@youthwell.org OR CALL 805.448.2426.
The parent & community workshops were started in April 2018 and are designed to give parents, educators, and providers more tools when working with youth. Many youth are struggling with mental health challenges. It can be overwhelming to know how to handle it and to try and connect them to services. Our in-person workshops draw 200 people and we have been fortunate to have Deckers Brands as a sponsor and a host. In 2020 we moved to a virtual format and although we miss the in-person connection, it has also allowed people from all over Santa Barbara County and beyond to attend.
The workshops have also provided a platform for parents to connect and feel less alone. Mental health is stigmatizing and can carry a lot of shame. We want to raise awareness and eliminate stigma by normalizing the conversation around mental health while promoting wellness and self-care.
The workshops are hosted in Santa Barbara, CA and open to any parents, educators, providers, and community members. **NOTE: Teens are invited to attend the workshops. We know the family benefits when everyone is learning together. Sign up for all of them or pick the ones that are of interest to you.
THIS MONTH...
TBD...
SUNDAY, DEC 6th, 4:00PM-5:30PM
SPEAKER: TBD
DESCRIPTION: TBD
LOCATION: THIS IS A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP USING ZOOM
VIRTUAL FORMAT: If there is more than 1 person in a family attending the workshop, please make sure to register individually if you want to be on separate devices.
REGISTER so we can send you a link to the Zoom call
Past Workshops: Materials & Videos
Expand boxes below to view the videos from past workshops, and find helpful handouts.
PRINT: Communication & Active Listening Tips with Youth
TOPIC: Learn self-care and mindfulness techniques to cope with everyday challenges [OCT 2020]
SPEAKER:
- Dave Mochel
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...-
- VIEW [OCT 25, 2020] ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION & SLIDES >>
- - PRINT: WEEKLY LISTENING CHALLENGE
- PRINT: COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- PRINT: SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- PRINT: STRATEGIES & TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITALLY RESPONSIBLE BOUNDARIES
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Teens, parents, teachers... Learn new strategies to help you find balance,reduce stress, improve focus, and manage emotions, which can benefit us at home, in the classroom, in sports, and in our relationships. We can Increase resilience in our youth through mindfulness and self-care. Resiliency comes from working through the discomfort that comes from challenges and obstacles in our lives.
This workshop will [1] introduce & practice simple strategies for supporting our kids in becoming capable & resilient adults, [2] explore simple practices for parents to use in being more present & understanding, [3] discuss the line that separates normal upset & disappointment from depression & anxiety that require professional intervention [4] discover ways to manage our devices and social media.
TOPIC: Navigating Your Mental Health & Wellness [SEPT 2020]
SPEAKER PANEL:
- Rebecca Solomon (Michael Cruse) • Hospice of SB
- Lisa Wolfe (Christina Lombard) • Casa Pacifica/SAFTY
- Eric Nelson • Westmont College
- Patrick Lyra Lanier • Pacific Pride Foundation
- Christine Dominguez • UCSB, Assoc Director, Student MH Coordination Services
- Rachael Steidl • YouthWell
- STUDENT MODERATORS: Emma Grabenstetter & Georgia Pennington
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...-
- VIEW [SEPT 19, 2020] ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION & SLIDES >>
- - PRINT: WEEKLY LISTENING CHALLENGE
- PRINT: COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- PRINT: SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- PRINT: STRATEGIES & TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITALLY RESPONSIBLE BOUNDARIES
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Teens, learn to support yourself& your friends struggling with stress, isolation, and boredom It’s ok to ask for help!
- Understand mental health challenges
- Recognize the signs and symptoms
- Learn how we can eliminate stigma and shame
- Learn to practice self-care & how to access resources
- Learn how to make telehealth work for you
TOPIC: Communicating and Connecting in the Zoom Era [AUG 2020]
SPEAKER: Dave Mochel
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...-
- VIEW [AUG 23] ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION & SLIDES >>
- - PRINT: WEEKLY LISTENING CHALLENGE
- PRINT: COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- PRINT: SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- PRINT: STRATEGIES & TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITALLY RESPONSIBLE BOUNDARIES
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Connection that makes a difference
mindful and compassionate listening workshop series
- These days we are spending less time communicating face to face and more time talking to a screen. How do we maintain, and even strengthen, our relationships under these circumstances?
- We will discuss strategies for accepting the constraints we are living with, making zoom time more effective, and connecting in real-life with our family and friends when zoom time is over.
- This series will be an opportunity to practice building empathic listening skills to better interact with youth, family, friends, and co-workers. You can attend all of them or just pick one.
- This series of free workshops is for adults and teens who want to learn tools to improve their communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
- Learn how to...
-build skills of deep, empathic listening
-speak from your heart
-help others by doing less
-ask the right questions
-reflect on your own judgment & biases
-listening & communicate assertively (workshop 2)
-shared agreements (workshop 3) - **Parents of youth ages 5-25, teens, educators, teens, and youth providers are invited to this FREE workshop.**
quaranTEEN Workshop - MAY 27, 2020
- TOPIC: TALK TO LOCAL LEADERS ABOUT NEXT STEPS with COVID-19
- - VIEW VIDEO of WORKSHOP >>
- - SPEAKER:
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Assemblymember Monique Limón
SB County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido - DESCRIPTION: Talk to local leaders aboutnext steps with COVID-19 in our community.
quaranTEEN Workshop - MAY 24, 2020
- TOPIC: Managing Transitions in a Difficult Time
- - VIEW ZOOM VIDEO of WORKSHOP >>
- HANDOUT: DIscussion Questions >>
- - SPEAKER: Just Communities
- - DESCRIPTION: DESCRIPTION: Our world is currently going through a period of unprecedented and uncharted change. How are you dealing with it personally? How are you dealing with it as a family? What is it like balancing everything? Drawing upon William Bridges' Transitions Framework, this interactive online workshop will help students gain a deeper understanding of how the destabilizing forces of change are impacting their lives and their families.
quaranTEEN Workshop - MAY 20, 2020
- TOPIC: Managing Transitions in a Difficult Time
- - VIEW ZOOM VIDEO of WORKSHOP >>
- HANDOUT: DIscussion Questions >>
- - SPEAKER: Just Communities
- - DESCRIPTION: COVID-19 has forced us all to make a lot of changes in our lives. From spending our days at home, to not being able to see friends, no longer being able to participate in school clubs, sports, afterschool programs, and more. All of our lives have changed dramatically. How are you dealing with those changes? How is your family? This interactive workshop will give you the chance to talk with other young people in our community about how you are dealing with all the changes in your lives. It will also offer ideas for how you can better work through these changes and be a resource to the other people in your life by supporting them.
quaranTEEN Workshop - MAY 13, 2020
- TOPIC: Power of Movement & Breathing
- - DESCRIPTION: Cara Ferrick, co-owner CorePower Yoga will speak about the power of movement & breathing and how it improves your mood and relieves stress. Cara will talk about how exercise and movements affect both our physical and mental health. She will also share about the science of breath and why it matters that we take time to breathe. Workshop will also include... Grounding, Resiliency, and Gratitude • Mindfulness Tools & Breathing • Movement and the many benefits • Self-care and your intuition and inner knowing • Tools to help you sleep • Essential oils • Meditation and the many benefits
-
- View WORKSHOP VIDEO & SLIDES >>
- - SPEAKER: Cara Ferrick, co-owner CorePower Yoga
quaranTEEN Workshop - MAY 6, 2020
- TOPIC: NON PROFIT PANEL
- - WATCH VIDEO OF WORKSHOP >>
- - PRINT HANDOUT LIST of VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- - DESCRIPTION: Non Profit Panel will provide an opportunity to learn about how students can create meaningful ways to volunteer and do community service during your teen years. Completing your hours is more than checking a box off the to-do list... it’s learning about the joy of volunteering, learning new skills, and an opportunity to grow and discover new passions. There will be breakout rooms during this virtual workshop where you can decide which organizations and areas of interest (animals, arts & culture, homelessness, environment & science, education, camps, elderly) you would like to hear more about...
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:
Prior to the panel, we will have speakers, Abe Powell/Bucket Brigade, Jacob & Joe/Foodbank, and Danny/Zoomers to Boomers share their experience, what got them engaged or motivated to give back in such an impactful way, and what continues to keep them inspired.
- Apples to Zucchini Cooking School
- BUNS Food Bank
- Food Bank of SB County
- Fund For SB - Youth Making Change
- Friendship Center
- Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center
- Isla Vista Parks & Recreation
- Mental Wellness Center
- MOXI
- Peer Buddies
- SB Bucket Brigade
- SB County Animal Services
- SB Historical Museum
- SB Museum of Natural History & Sea Center
- SB Police Activities League (SBPAL)
- SB Public Library
- Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
- Wilderness Youth Project
- Zoomers to Boomers
quaranTEEN Workshop - APRIL 29, 2020
- TOPIC: NUTRITION, MOOD & THE BRAIN
- - VIDEO & HANDOUTS:
- VIEW ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION >>
- HANDOUT - Overview of how food affects our moods
-
- DESCRIPTION: Understand how the foods you eat affect your mental health, mood, and how you feel. This will be an interactive discussion will you learn how to continue to enjoy eating all the foods you love while learning how to balance so you can avoid those afternoon energy crashes. Learn how to substitute healthier alternatives when you are baking and still have those cookies taste great! Great tips for athletes as well.
Workshop [APRIL 2020]
TOPIC: Connection that makes a difference • mindful and compassionate listening workshop series
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...-
- VIEW [APRIL 26] ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION >>
- - PRINT: WEEKLY LISTENING CHALLENGE
- PRINT: COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- PRINT: SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- VIEW SLIDES FROM:
2020 LISTENING WORKSHOP #1 MIndful Compassionate Listening
2019: Mindful & Compassionate Listening, Dave Mochel Slides
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
- This series will be an opportunity to practice building empathic listening skills to better interact with youth, family, friends, and co-workers. You can attend all of them or just pick one.
- This series of free workshops is for adults and teens who want to learn tools to improve their communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
- Learn how to...
-build skills of deep, empathic listening
-speak from your heart
-help others by doing less
-ask the right questions
-reflect on your own judgment & biases
-listening & communicate assertively (workshop 2)
-shared agreements (workshop 3) - **Parents of youth ages 5-25, teens, educators, teens, and youth providers are invited to this FREE workshop.**
quaranTEEN Workshop - APRIL 22, 2020
- TOPIC: COLLEGE STUDENT PANEL
- - SPEAKER: Local Santa Barbara Students
- - DESCRIPTION: There will be local Santa Barbara students who attend colleges all over the country available to answer questions about their personal experiences at their school. If you are trying to decide which school is a fit for you, it might be helpful to be able to ask questions about things you are curious about. There will be "virtual breakout rooms"... [1] SB Schools [2] CA Schools [3] Pacific Northwest Schools [4] Midwest Schools [5] Mountain West Schools [6] East Coast Schools [7] International Schools. You choose the breakout room that is most interesting to you.
- - COLLEGE STUDENTS that would like to serve on the panel can sign-up here >> [we will do another panel 2021]
quaranTEEN Workshop - APRIL 15, 2020
- TOPIC: PRACTICING MINDFULNESS & SELF-CARE & MANAGING STRESS
- - VIEW ZOOM VIDEO PRESENTATION >>
- - SPEAKER: Dave Mochel
- DESCRIPTION: Educator, neuroscientist and mindfulness expert Dave Mochel helps people learn to respond peacefully and powerfully to anxiety, stress, challenge, and change. The way we use our attention, hold our body, and breathe all have significant implications for how we experience the world. Participants will take away specific practices and strategies for remaining grounded in the midst of uncertainty. This will be an interactive discussion with plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions.
Workshop [JAN 2020]
TOPIC: Connection that makes a difference • mindful and compassionate listening workshop series
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...-
- PRINT: WEEKLY LISTENING CHALLENGE
- PRINT: COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- PRINT: SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- VIEW SLIDES FROM:
2020 LISTENING WORKSHOP #1 MIndful Compassionate Listening
2019: Mindful & Compassionate Listening, Dave Mochel Slides
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
- This series will be an opportunity to practice building empathic listening skills to better interact with youth, family, friends, and co-workers. You can attend all of them or just pick one.
- This series of free workshops is for adults and teens who want to learn tools to improve their communication skills in their personal and professional lives.
- Learn how to...
-build skills of deep, empathic listening
-speak from your heart
-help others by doing less
-ask the right questions
-reflect on your own judgment & biases
-listening & communicate assertively (workshop 2)
-shared agreements (workshop 3) - **Parents of youth ages 5-25, teens, educators, teens, and youth providers are invited to this FREE workshop.**
WORKSHOP: [AUGUST 2019] Youth Substance Use... understanding the difference between self-medicating, addiction, and recreational use.
- WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: [1] Learn about current substance use trends and understand the negative effects of vaping, JUULing, & binge drinking. [2] Recognize the difference between recreational use and addiction. [3] Understand how self-medicating can mask the symptoms of mental illness. [4] Learn to tell when youth are using and how to engage in the difficult conversations. Find out about local support resources.
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...
- VIDEO OF THE WORKSHOP COMING SOON...
- - view Substance Use workshop PRESENTATION SLIDES
WORKSHOP: [APRIL 2019] Managing Stress & Finding Balance - Increasing resilience in our youth through mindfulness and self-care.
- WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: How do we offer guidance & support without rescuing our children from the discomfort that naturally comes with healthy challenges and growth? We will [1] introduce & practice simple strategies for supporting our kids in becoming capable & resilient adults, [2] explore simple practices for parents to use in being more present & understanding, [3] discuss the line that separates normal upset & disappointment from depression & anxiety that require professional intervention.
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...
- YOUTHWELL HANDOUT
WELLNESS TIPS, SELF CARE PLAN, & DIGITAL DETOX CHALLENGE
- - PRESENTATION SLIDES
Managing Stress & Finding Balance, Dave Mochel Slides
STARTING THE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR TEEN
WORKSHOP: [JAN 2019] Navigating the digital and gaming age with our youth
- WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: Workshop will feature speakers and breakout groups where you will learn strategies on how to support youth responsibly with their devices. Understand the impact of screens on brain development. Learn to identify signs of cell phone and gaming addiction. Learn how to start the conversations with your child and set healthy limits around devices.
WORKSHOP RESOURCES...
- YOUTHWELL HANDOUT
STRATEGIES & TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING DIGITALLY RESPONSIBLE BOUNDARIES
STARTING THE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR TEEN
- COMMUNICATION & ACTIVE LISTENING TIPS WITH TEENS
- SHARE FEELINGS • CHOOSE AN EMOTION
- WHAT IS LOVE • THE NEW DATING LANDSCAPE FOR TEENS
- YOUTH ONLINE NET CETERA
- YOUTH STOP THINK CONNECT
SAMPLE DIGITAL CONTRACTS
Sample contracts you can use to set up boundaries around screens in the house
- YOUTH CELL PHONE FAMILY CONTRACT
- DOWNLOAD NEW APP CONTRACT
- SCREEN TIME BOUNDARIES CONTRACT
- STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING ONLINE DANGER
LINKS TO OTHER DIGITAL RESOURCES & ARTICLES
Consider additional online searches using: Digital Responsibility - Digital etiquette, Digital access, Digital commerce, Digital communication, Digital law, Digital health and wellness, Digital security
- Depression & social media >>
- What is Digital Harassment? - video >>
- 7 Reasons cell phone contracts won’t work >>
- Should my child be on social media? >>
- Apps to watch out for in 2019 >>
- Technology & teen dating violence >>
- Tips for youth & parents with cyberbullying >>
- Parents of Young Children: Put Down Your Smartphones >>
- Adverse Effects of Media on Children & Teens >>
- QUIZ: Smartphone compulsion >>
VIDEOS (great clips & overviews with teen perspectives)
- Video: Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences
- Video: SCREENAGERS (Official Trailer) Probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles, over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction.
- Video: New study links phone use and mental health issues in teens
- Video: What is Digital Harassment?
ARTICLES
- Is Your Child a Phone ‘Addict’? article
By Ana Homayoun / New York Times - How (and When) to Limit Kids' Tech Use article
By Melanie Pinola / New York Times - 10 Social Apps Every Parent of a Teen Should Know article
By Megan Maas
GAMING
- Gaming, understanding overuse & addiction, physical effects >>
- Understanding video game violence - video >>
- How virtual violence impacts children's behavior plus tips >>
- Quiz: Are you addicted to gaming? >>
PARENTAL CONTROLS
- iPhone Apple Parental Controls video >>
- 6 Best Parental Controls for Android video >>
- Impacts of Gaming >>
- Find hidden apps (vault) on phone video >>
- Managing Cell Phone Restrictions >>
WORKSHOP: [SEPT 2018] Provider Workshop
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
- IT'S ABOUT THE YOUTH & HELPING THEM ACCESS SERVICES MORE EASILY
- Create an opportunity for staff from different organizations to connect and better understand the other resources that exist on each campus so they can better work together to leverage resources both on and off campus.
- Convene the school Deans of Student Engagement & the FSA Therapists making referrals and connect them with the organizations that will be working on secondary school campuses for 2018-2019 so that they have a better understanding of services when they are making referrals.
- Enhance your facilitator skills through team building activities and learn interactive techniques for engaging students on campus and increase opportunities to connect with students by speaking at their club meetings, classes, etc. (different than one on one counseling or support groups)
- Overview of mental health referral process for students AND the school Crisis Response Protocol... Explain the process after a crisis/trauma... when Compassion Centers are convened on campus and Psychological First Aid response is utilized.
- Overview from SBUSD on how the Signs of Suicide (SOS) will be implemented on campuses.
WORKSHOP: [AUG 2018] a community conversation about teen mental health today
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
- Part one of two mental wellness nights providing parents and our community with tools and resources to support youth.
- In honor of back to school season, discover what it is like to be in high school today, and let’s come together as a community to learn more about an issue that affects EVERYONE.
- This interactive night will feature a panel of experienced community professionals in the mental health sector. You will leave this event with tangible tools on how to take care of yourself, how to talk to someone who is struggling, what relevant warning signs to look out for, and what resources are offered in Santa Barbara.
- Panel includes: Michael Cruse, Taryn Holvick, Rachael Steidl, Patrick Lyra Lanier, Ali Cortes, Christina Lombard
Cara Ferrick (May 2020)
- Cara comes to the table with a deep understanding of Yoga. Her experience and connections in the yoga industry balance and enhance her passion for teaching. For the past 12 years, Cara has been a part of the successful Yoga venture, CorePower Yoga. She is the co-owner and regional OPS manager of the California Central Coast Franchise network of CorePower Yoga.
Jenni Tasca (April 2020)
- Jennifer Tasca, MSRD, is a native Santa Barbaran who has practiced as a local Registered Dietitian for over 20 years. She worked locally as a clinical dietitian for the Cottage Health Care System for over 10 years, and then started her own private practice (parttime) in 2005. [LEARN MORE]
Dustin Sanchez, MD (August 2019)
- Dr. Dustin Sanchez is a board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. In addition to serving as Medical Director at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, he has an outpatient practice in Santa Barbara and has attending privileges at Cottage Hospital. Dr. Sanchez specializes in a wide range of psychiatric problems across the lifespan, including substance use disorders, and utilizes a holistic approach to achieve optimal health and wellness for his patients. He has extensive training and experience in psychotherapy, complex psychopharmacology, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). He is currently developing a lecture series aimed at engaging and educating our community on a variety of mental health topics. VIEW WEBSITE
Michael Mantz, MD (August 2019)
- Dr. Michael Mantzis a psychiatrist who worked for 2 years at an intensive outpatient program that specializes in treating substance use disorders. He currently runs a private practice that focuses on mind-health optimization using a unique blend of mindfulness-based psychotherapies, nutrition, supplements and the latest in brain-boosting strategies that have come out of recent neuroscientific research. Dr. Mantz emphasizes the importance of integrating both mind and body practices to help heal and strengthen the mind. Santa Barbara Integrative Psychiatry
Sam L, Student Speaker from UCSB Gauchos For Recovery.
Rachael Steidl (WORKSHOP MODERATOR)
- Rachael Steidl is a Santa Barbara native and the mother of 3 teen daughters. As the founder and former publisher of ParentClick.com, she has spent much of the past fifteen connecting families to resources in our community. Rachael launched the YouthWell Coalition in 2016 to address the gaps in mental health services for youth and to expand the dialogue and increase community collaboration. At the same time, she worked with the Mental Wellness Center to launch the Youth Wellness Connection (YWC) Council and is working with students on "you matter" campaigns on 5 high school campuses through the YWC Clubs that promote self-care, kindness, and encourage youth to ask for help when they are struggling. She is committed to increasing awareness through education and reducing stigma so that youth and families can feel safe reaching out for support. Rachael has over 25 years of experience in management, marketing, and strategic planning. Rachael has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and her early work experience included counseling youth in group homes and co-facilitating addiction groups.
Dave Mochel (APRIL 2019)
- For over thirty years, Dave Mochel has been focused on the foundations of wellbeing, healthy communities, and leadership. After a twenty-year career teaching human development and neuroscience in independent schools, he founded Applied Attention to help individuals, teams, and organizations focus their attention and energy where it will make the greatest positive difference. Using principles drawn from modern scientific research and enduring wisdom, he has had the opportunity to work with leaders, educators, executives, parents, students, and athletes all over the world. He draws upon his degrees in biology from Williams College, a Master’s in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz, and a clinical internship in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The principles and practices he teaches have been distilled and synthesized from thousands of years of enduring wisdom, thousands of scientific studies, and thousands of conversations with colleagues, students, friends, and clients. Learn more about Dave >
Alia Aizenstat (JANUARY 2019)
- Alia Aizenstat, M.A., is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and Professional Clinical Counselor Associate who works both in private practice and as a Lead Group Facilitator at AHA!, a non-profit organization educating teens on emotional intelligence and social justice. Alia holds a master's degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Depth Psychology. She is the published author of Psychotherapy in the Digital Age: The Integration of Online Identities in the Therapeutic Process, and the founder of the Virtual Identities Integration Treatment model. She is an international lecturer and has been working to implement psychoeducational segments on digital responsibility into schools and therapeutic treatment centers. Alia has trained in EMDR trauma therapy levels one and two with an attachment focus through the Parnell Institute, and in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) with one of the program's founders, Steven Hayes. VIEW WEBSITE
Christy Stillwell (JANUARY 2019)
- Christy Stillwell, M.A., is the founder and executive director of What is LOVE, an innovative dating violence prevention program dedicated to helping teens identify abusive love and build healthy relationships skills. Christy is an educator and youth activist with more than twenty years of program development, management, and independent evaluation. She conducts workshops, staff trainings and speaks in schools, juvenile detention facilities, universities, and youth-serving organizations. She is known for her creativity, innovation, and a high level of integrity while addressing complex vital issues. She is dedicated to creating a community of socially and emotionally intelligent youth, committed to success, building empathy, taking responsibility, repairing harm, and crafting successful futures. VIEW WEBSITE
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