The following workshops are available for staff, students and parents. Workshops are offered both in person and via Zoom. MPY requires a minimum of 25 participants for staff workshops and a minimum of 40 participants for parent and caregiver workshops. Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Intervention
Participants will learn the basics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how to implement CBT in their own personal lives and during treatment. Participants will also learn the inter-relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how they interact with decision making and maladaptive behaviors. Participants will receive tools defining and addressing cognitive distortions, the dysfunctional response cycle and confronting cognitive distortions by meta-cognition. Participants will receive tools to implement during clinical sessions and group therapy.
Considering Safety - In the Cloud and On the Ground
Adolescents are commonly targets of attacks, be those attacks through social media, physical violence or emotional manipulation, coercion and blackmail. Prevention is not always possible, but this presentation identifies ways that we can make ourselves less vulnerable - and considers methods of maximizing security and safety.
Creating Partnerships with Parents to Maximize Outcomes Across Settings
For students to maximize outcomes across home, school, and community, it is integral that parents be considered partners in their child’s education, including behavioral programming that both decreases challenging behavior and promotes skill development. Oftentimes, however, there is a lack of communication between educators and parents that can lead to misunderstandings, frustration and mistrust. As a result, a student’s learning and generalization of skills may be negatively impacted. Bridging the gap between home and school may be done through compassionate communication and collaboration with all team members at school and at home. In this workshop, we will discuss ways to improve our communication and collaboration skills with parents.
DBT in Schools
School personnel will learn select DBT skills and how to use them with students to improve emotion regulation. This workshop can be tailored for any staff although is geared toward counselors, specialized classrooms, and 1:1s who work with emotionally dysregulated students (e.g. paraprofessionals).
De-Escalation Strategies
Staff will learn verbal and nonverbal de-escalation techniques as well as how to keep students and staff safe during times when students are escalated and having difficulties self-regulating their emotions and/or behavior.
Decisions, Decisions: Making Choices That Shape Your Future
In this interactive presentation, students will explore the importance of decision making and how everyday choices—big or small—can impact their future. Through real-life scenarios, group discussions, and problem-solving activities, participants will learn practical strategies to:
- Identify options and consequences
- Recognize the influence of peers, emotions, and media
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Use a step-by-step decision-making model
- Reflect on personal values and long-term goals
Whether it's choosing friends, handling peer pressure, or planning for college and careers, this session empowers students with tools to make thoughtful, responsible decisions in all areas of life.
Depression & Suicide: Pragmatic Guidelines for Friends
How do you identify depression in friends and loved ones and what steps can be taken to provide support while also respecting privacy and confidentiality? When should concerns about self-harm and suicide demand action and what can be done? This presentation is designed to help students better understand depression and suicidal ideation and empower them to be vigilant of signs of trouble in themselves and others.
Developing Trauma-Sensitive School Policies
In this workshop, participants will learn about trauma and strategies that will help school communities build consistency, predictability, and compassionate accountability into their policies. If desired, participants will begin to review and revise current school policy and develop sustainable, trauma-sensitive implementation plans.
Digital Wellness for Educators: Integrating Responsible Educational Technology into the Classroom (Remote Only)
A workshop designed for educators and school leaders on helping students succeed and flourish with technology in the classroom. Discover effective ways to use educational technology, the positives of negatives of technology in education, and the future of the school system as it grows alongside digital education. Analyze real research from Generation-Z about their preference of technology in the classroom, as well as their particular preferences of different virtual platforms used to enhance learning. This presentation and collaborative-style workshop is led by Keegan Lee, a member of generation-Z, and psychology researcher at the University of North Carolina.
Effective Behavior Change Systems: Understanding the B=Map Model of Behavior Change
This workshop will review the basic principles of the B=MAP model of behavior modification. Participants will gain a better understanding of the fundamental elements that drive Behavior Modification.
- Frame student behavior within the B=MAP model
- Practice identifying lagging skills that contribute to the behavior
- Learn the basics to assess level of ability related to expected behavior
- Learn the steps to scaffold supports for students to meet with success
- Learn how success breeds more success