SElf-compassion Support group for parents of teenagers*

Raising teenagers is not for the faint of heart. It’s also not something that all parents have the time or space to connect about. Over the years, parents have told me that the mutual support and confiding that came with raising smaller children would often decrease as their kids got older. Be it time commitments, social pressures, or fear of judgment, the thing I found through my parenting workshops was that parents connecting with others through these universal struggles was as helpful as any information I could given them.

Join us at Heights Yoga (600 N Devine Rd) in Vancouver on Sundays from 6-7pm beginning February 16th, 2025 for a small (capped at 10 participants) group focused on finding self-compassion through the challenges of parenting and support from fellow parents. Cost is $15/person.

“Threading the needle” parenting stress Virtual therapy group* **

Adapted from DJ’s Cracking the Code of Parent-Teen Relationships Workshop, this psychoeducational therapy group will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 5-6pm beginning March 5th, 2025. The group will cover a wide range of topics while offering parents an opportunity to connect with other parents and to discuss parenting challenges. Topics covered include general relationship and conflict management skills adapted to the parent-teen relationship, dealing with parental anxiety, managing behavior concerns, effective response strategies for a wide variety of concerns including sex and sexuality, drug and alcohol use concerns, peer and relationship difficulties, academic difficulties, and more. The education component will operate on a 16-week rotation through four modules, with new members able to join the group if there is room as a module starts and as space allows).

Those joining the group are expected to participate for the full 16 weeks, though you may certainly discontinue at any time if you don’t feel it is the right fit for you.

Workshops*

Empowered Relationships offers live and on-demand, online and in-person workshops for parents, caregivers and couples/partners, including Cracking the Code of Parent-Teen Relationships and Secrets of Relationship Success. See all offerings on our workshops page.

*Therapy groups may be covered by your insurance plan while Workshops and Support Groups are not. To participate in a therapy group, an intake appointment with DJ will be required to enroll and establish goodness of fit for the group service. As with regular therapy, a free 15-minute “meet and greet” is available to those interested in groups.

**Therapy Groups are only available to those residing in Washington State due to licensure restrictions. If you live outside of Washington, you may consider one of the online workshops available.