Mental Health & Wellness Workshops for Families
Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) offers a variety of virtual and in-person mental health and wellness workshops for parents and families through the center’s satellite location in Westport, Connecticut (YCSC Westport). Free virtual sessions are offered periodically and posted to the web calendar feed when confirmed
Mental health and wellness workshops are available for PTA/PTO groups, other parent and community groups, and schools. Presentations can be adapted and individualized based on the needs of the setting or participants.
Send an e-mail inquiry or call 203-785-7379 to learn more or to schedule a session. Scroll down or click on the titles listed below to view parent and family workshop descriptions. Learn more about our workshops for school personnel.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Overview
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With diagnoses on the rise in recent years, ADHD has become a central concern in the child mental health landscape. This workshop offers a clear and practical overview of ADHD in children and adolescents, while also exploring evidence-based strategies to support children more effectively at home and in school. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Understand the current landscape of ADHD in children and adolescents
- Describe the impact of ADHD on children’s academic, behavioral, and social emotional functioning
- Identify evidence-based treatment options for ADHD, including behavioral interventions and medication
What You Need to Know About Supporting Children and Teens with Anxiety: Parenting Strategies that Work
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Sometimes parents may wonder how much to push an anxious child to face a tough challenge. This workshop will provide parents with the background knowledge and practical strategies needed to help their child cope with anxiety and manage stressors. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Understand factors that contribute to childhood anxiety
- Learn ways to validate children’s anxious feelings while expressing confidence in their ability to cope with distress
- Recognize the importance of creating opportunities for children to overcome their anxiety
Effective Strategies for Promoting Emotion Regulation at Home
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Parenting can be incredibly challenging when children’s frustration or disappointment turns into meltdowns, tantrums, and tears. In this workshop, parents will learn strategies to help their children develop emotional regulation skills and handle intense feelings and changes in routine in a developmentally appropriate way. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Identify effective ways to incorporate structure, routine, and predictability into the home environment
- Understand the importance of co-regulation and modeling
- Learn how to encourage the use of coping strategies to regulate emotions
Navigating Challenges of Parenting in a World of Disconnection
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Parents and children alike are feeling more disconnected than ever despite the ability to connect 24/7. How do we put an oxygen mask on ourselves and also give our children what they need to feel supported and thrive in the current circumstances? This workshop aims to address challenges that we all face regarding greater technology use and changes in social support structures and offers a variety of ways to enhance a sense of connectedness for ourselves and our children. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Explore the challenges of parenting in current times with increased technology use and decrease in social supports
- Identify ways to promote healthy technology use in the context of children’s developmental needs
- Learn strategies to improve connectedness and a sense of belonging
Parents’ Role in Supporting Children in Demanding Academic Environments
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What role can parents take in fostering children’s academic growth while also supporting their emotional wellbeing? This workshop offers a framework parents can use to help their children become independent and resilient learners, particularly in rigorous academic settings. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Understand the benefits of a process-oriented approach in promoting a sense of competence and resilience
- Learn how to help your child during homework time in a way that encourages independence and minimizes parent-child conflict
- Identify ways to partner with schools to encourage children’s growth and autonomy
The Athlete Mindset: Supporting the Wellness of Student Athletes
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Student athletes today are growing up in an increasingly high-pressure sports culture, where the drive to excel can sometimes outpace their physical and emotional readiness. This workshop explores the unique mental and emotional challenges young athletes face and offers practical, evidence-based strategies to foster resilience, balance, and confidence—both on and off the field. Key learning objectives for this session are for participants to:
- Understand the pressures, stressors, and emotional experiences of student-athletes
- Learn to identify when stress, anxiety, or perfectionism may be negatively impacting student-athletes
- Discover practical ways to help student-athletes develop coping skills, confidence, and a growth mindset
- Learn how to encourage student-athletes to explore interests beyond sports and develop a well-rounded sense of self
YCSC Westport
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In addition to offering training and consultation sessions for schools and communities in a variety of settings, YCSC Westport provides evidence-based mental health treatments, diagnostic and psychiatric evaluations, and medication management for children birth to 18.
For information about available behavioral health services for families and children, or presentation offerings—including parent education, professional development, and school or community trainings—send an e-mail inquiry or call the Westport office, located at 125 Kings Highway North, at 203-785-7379.