Family Smart Events

1. In the Know : Parent /Caregiver Webinars/Support
All of the events below are free, virtual and require pre registration. The format is watching a video  followed by a facilitated discussion amongst participants. All parents and caregivers are welcome.  For Families: A Conversation About Eating Disorders
February 5@1830 PM
February 20@1830 PM
Knowing how to help our kids who are experiencing an eating disorder can be a terrifying, isolating and overwhelming experience. Learn about disordered eating, what to be aware of, the importance of connection, and strategies that help support recovery. Join us as Victoria Keddis hosts a conversation with Eating Disorders Therapist & Educator Carmen Kauffman, and Rylee McKinlay, a young person with lived experience, and Terri McKinlay,  a parent with lived experience.

ADHD — The Real Deal
February 6@ 1830 PM
Feb 19 @ 12:00 PM
ADHD doesn’t just affect the person living with ADHD, it also affects those around them. As parents of kids living with ADHD, we can benefit from learning what ADHD is and how to support our kids. Dr. Duncan dispels some myths and explains how and why the ADHD brain works the way it does. Join us to learn from Dr. Don Duncan, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.

Deepening our Understanding of Emotion Regulation – Supporting our Young People with their Big Emotions.
February 12 @1830 PM Have you ever found yourself looking at your child’s emotional outburst and thinking, “What the heck is happening?” or “This doesn’t make any sense,” or “What on earth are they so upset about – it’s not that big a deal?”  If so, you are certainly not alone!  Many parents describe feeling as though they’re walking on eggshells or avoiding taking their children out in fear of an emotional ‘meltdown’ which can be embarrassing, upsetting, and can lead to some pretty big emotions for the grown ups as well. If this sounds like you, or like someone you care about, please join us for an evening filled with information about what can lead to big emotions and for some concrete strategies for responding skillfully to those situations.  Nicole will join us live on Zoom to lead us through an evening of learning which will expand upon some key points including: Understanding emotion dysregulation as a skills deficit, and identifying strategies to grow those skills. How to anticipate when big emotions will occur, and exploring specific skills for responding to it. Understanding how the principle of attunement can be a roadmap for finding solutions that will work for you and your family. Hoping for the best, planning for the worst – so that everyone knows what to expect. How to repair the relationship when it’s all gone wrong. Please join us live online for an evening filled with information, reflection, and no doubt a good amount of laughter as well.

2. Help for the Hard Times Workshop
We offer a workshop with 4 sessions monthly for families whose child or youth (up to 24 years) has been a patient in a psychiatric unit or had an ER visit due to their mental health including Eating Disorders.  
Topics include: Supporting a Safety Plan, Taking care of yourself and family after a crisis, and How to find Resources.
Registration: Click here to register.   

3. One on One Support
 We are available for  free 1:1 parent/caregiver peer support for any family who has a child struggling with their mental health or substance use. No diagnosis necessary. No waitlists. Families can self refer by contacting us at Vancouver@familysmart.ca or calling (604) 607-9581

4. All  of our video resources are available on our website and our YouTube channel.