This presentation assists parents and caregivers in gaining a deeper understanding of their child’s experience of anxiety. We address such questions as: What is anxiety? How does anxiety impact a child and their nervous system? Is my child’s anxiety normal or is this an anxiety disorder? When should I seek professional help? The goal of this presentation is to explore what is happening “under the hood” when anxiety takes over and how to best respond. We also discuss ways that parents and caregivers can take care of themselves in the process.

Living Inquiries:

Well-being and belonging.
Engagement with others, materials, and the world

Pathways:

Joy in relationships with people, place, materials and ideas.
Safety and respect.
Emotions, thoughts, and views.
Every child is a gift.
Time for engagement.

Suitable for students, parents, intermediate and experienced early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages, from infants/toddlers to school age children, including children with extra support needs.

Facilitator(s): Michelle Srdanovic

Michelle is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works primarily with families and couples who are navigating the impact of anxiety, historical trauma, and challenging patterns in relationships. She is trained in Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST), Expressive Play Therapy and much more. Currently, she divides her time between private practice, part-time teaching as Faculty at BCIT, and providing supervision to community agencies. Michelle is passionate about connecting with community on important topics that impact families.