Summary

Mindful Parents is a mindfulness-based workshop dedicated to parents of youth who are currently struggling with mental health or any issue. Foundations of mindful parenting which include sovereignty, empathy, and acceptance will be established and explored. Mindfulness will be practiced through sitting, walking, body scan, and metta meditation practices. Space will also be provided for parents to discuss current parenting stressors and build an internal support network. This workshop is closed to new participants. Please check back for future dates!

Schedule

March 5: An introduction to mindfulness and mindful parenting - Parents will establish a working definition of mindfulness and develop insight into how mindfulness can be a part of parenting, especially during high stress parenting moments. Parents will also begin to practice mindfulness meditation. 

March 12: Cultivating Sovereignty - This weeks discussion will focus on honoring your child’s sovereignty and look beyond the surface of current challenges. Parents will practice mindfulness through walking and sitting meditations.

March 19: Cultivating Empathy - This weeks discussion will focus on cultivating empathy for one’s self and their child. Parents will practice mindfulness through sitting meditation.

March 26: Cultivating Acceptance - This weeks discussion will focus on cultivating acceptance and appreciation for who your child is, no matter how difficult their current struggles. Parents will practice mindfulness with a choice of walking or sitting meditation.

April 2: Deepening Our Practice - This week’s intention is to take the opportunity to deepen our own personal practice and truly be with our self. Parents will be led in body scan and sitting meditation practices.

April 9: Metta and Group Closing - Metta (loving kindness) allows us to open our hearts and ourselves with compassion. Parents will be led in metta meditation practice.

Modalities & Techniques

Mindfulness Meditation

Who should go? What conditions does this help?

For parents of children of any age who are looking to build a support network, reduce stress, and learn mindful parenting practices.

Experience or Requirements

No experience is necessary

About Catherine Schiller

Catherine Schiller is a graduate level mental health counseling intern here at the Vermont Center for Yoga and Therapy. Catherine is currently a student in Southern New Hampshire University's program in community mental health. Catherine is interested in exploring how alternative modalities can accompany traditional ones in psyhotherapy. She currently has high interest in bringing mindfulness meditation as a primary modality of therpeutic intervention and is also learning the Internal Family Systems model (IFS). She hopes to bring both of these elements to her current and future work as a mental health professional. Catherine has been practicing mindfulness meditation for 5 years and practices in group and retreat settings whenever possible.

Catherine currently facilitates the Mindfulness for Teens and Mindful Parents groups and also meets with individuals for mindfulness meditation instruction and psychotherapy. Catherine works with children, adolescents, parents, and adults.