Mindfulness & Positive Psychology Programs
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Mindful-U
Learn MoreNeurodivergent University Students
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Peaceful Teens
Learn MoreStudents in Grades 11 & 12
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Mindful-U
Welcome to Mindful-U
A Mindfulness Program for Neurodivergent University Students
Too often young adults embarking on university studies burn out early on, or experience ongoing feelings of stress, anxiety and overwhelm. Too often they feel they’re the only ones, when that’s simply not the case.
As individuals on the autism spectrum grow older, they often become more aware of their unique strengths and challenges. In today's fast-paced world, this self-awareness can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, especially for those with average to high intellectual functioning who keenly feel the pressure to fit into a neurotypical society.
About Mindful-U
Fiona Goodall, Autism Consultant and Mindfulness and Meditation teacher, is offering an ongoing small group Mindfulness program exclusively for neurodivergent young adults. Whether you have a diagnosis or characteristics of Autism or ADHD, or if you're facing ongoing stress and anxiety, Mindful-U is designed for you.
This is a safe space designed to normalise feelings and foster connections among like-minded young adults. Our group is limited to a maximum of eight participants, ensuring a small, supportive environment.
What can you expect from Mindful-U?
Our group meets fortnightly throughout the year to provide support and learn about:
- Understanding the mind-body response to anxiety
- The basic theory of Mindfulness
- Ways to reduce and prevent stress build-up
- Recognising and managing emotions with acceptance
- Handling negative thought patterns
- Developing personalised coping strategies
- Problem-solving techniques
- Exploring a variety of meditations and mindfulness practices
- Integrating mindfulness into your daily life
- Engaging in mindful movement techniques
Important note: This program is not a counselling or psychology service. It is intended for educational purposes related to Mindfulness and meditation only. If you have acute mental health challenges, it's crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine the suitability of this program; and if you are seeing a mental health professional or getting help from a wider support network, it's essential you continue to do so. Making Connections Toowoomba bears no responsibility for the outcomes of the program.
Program Details
Start Date: To be advised
Day: Fortnightly Fridays (according to school term dates)
Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Cost: $80 per session (inclusive of all resources)
Note: Self and plan-managed participants may be able to use their NDIS funding.
How to register or for more information
Email Fiona at fiona@makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au
Further Information
Click here for Mindfulness research:
- The Health Benefits of Being Mindful (Monash University)
- Mindfulness Meditation Training Changes Brain Structure in Eight Weeks
- MiCBT Research - Selected Studies
- Mindfulness Meditation: A research-proven way to reduce stress
- When Science Meets Mindfulness
Click here to learn how it can help neurodivergent individuals:
- Mindfulness in Individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review and Narrative Analysis
- Early Reflections on the Therapeutic Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Adults with Autism and Suggestions for Future Research
- Mindfulness-based therapy in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A randomised controlled trial
2024 Peaceful Teens
Aged 15-18 years
*new group Starting TERM 2!*
Navigating senior education and the transition to life beyond school can be highly stressful for young people. Therefore, the 2024 Peaceful Teens program is exclusively available to senior students and young people who have left school.
Peaceful Teens offers teens and young adults support through Mindfulness and Positive Psychology techniques, helping them manage stress, build resilience, and find more enjoyment in life within a supportive, small-group setting (maximum eight participants).
Important notes:
- A commitment to all eight sessions is mandatory as these are not standalone workshops and skills build on from one another.
- Peaceful Teens IS an educational program for teens and young adults wanting to learn ways to manage everyday stress and anxiety. Peaceful Teens IS NOT a psychology, counselling, or disability service.
- Mindfulness and meditation may not be suitable for everyone. Please review our information thoroughly or consult with your healthcare professional to determine if this program is suitable for the individual.
Suitability Criteria
- Teens must be in Grades 11 or 12, or a recent school leaver.
- Teens must be willing to attend and participate (please speak with them first).
- Teens are required to have average cognitive and language ability and be able to regulate their behaviour.
2024 SESSION DETAILS
Day: Thursdays
Dates: 2nd May to 20th June
Time: 3.45pm to 5.15pm
Venue: Making Connections Toowoomba, Lawrence St
Cost: $480 (all inclusive)
Inclusions:
- Eight 1.5 hour sessions
- Workbook
- Resources
- Weekly parent updates
- Pre-program Parent Information Session
Register your Expression of Interest here:
https://forms.office.com/r/T1gucsaiAy
If you would like more information email Fiona:
fiona@makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au
THE AIMS OF THE PROGRAM
- To minimise the symptoms of anxiety and stress
- To build emotional resilience
- To empower teens to self-manage their anxiety
- To teach teens Mindfulness exercises they can use for life
- To build a reservoir of strength to enable teens to cope with life more effectively
- To minimise anxiety symptoms occurring in the future
- For teens to use a range of effective coping strategies
- Teaches teens how to self-calm
- To develop emotional intelligence skills
- To be introduced to lifelong skills to manage stress and prevent stress build-up
- Supports teens so they know they are not alone in suffering from anxiety
Lifelong Coping Skills
Peaceful Teens helps teenagers navigate their difficulties in a supportive group environment.
Sessions include hands-on activities and engaging resources to learn a range of mindfulness strategies and meditations, effective coping strategies and positive psychology exercises.
Teens learn lifelong coping skills including :
- A range of Mindfulness Meditations and strategies
- Positive Psychology exercises and helpful thinking techniques
- Scientific information about the impact of stress
- Ways to manage feelings and reduce worries
- Effective coping strategies
- Problem-solving strategies
- Ways to understand and manage stress
- Ways to manage symptoms of anxiety
- Preventative strategies to help prevent stress build-up
- Being attuned to their own bodies and minds
- Understanding and recognising their own feelings
Research
Peaceful Kids is based on evidence-based therapy and research from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR), Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiBCT), Positive Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The Peaceful Kids program is endorsed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES). Peaceful Kids was researched through the Murdoch University for Beyond Blue - Be You, and has now been approved as an evidence based school program. Research has also been conducted through EACH on both the Peaceful Kids and Peaceful Parents program and evaluated by Save the Children for their 'Cool for School' Program.
Peaceful Parents for Carers
Program Structure
Peaceful Parents for Carers: Program Structure
Peaceful Parents is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based program where parents and caregivers learn ways to reduce stress and enjoy parenting more, as well as strategies to build resilience in their child/children. This is a strength-based workshop that is engaging, practical, and delivered within a supportive, small-group environment.
Although Peaceful Parents refers to strategies for children, this cohort is suitable for anyone in a caring role, as the techniques explored can be used with anyone.
The next cohort starting July 2024!
Day: Tuesdays
A commitment to all six sessions is required. These are not separate workshops.
Dates: To be advised
Time: 9am to 10.30am
Cost: Free for carers registered with Carer Gateway (usually $360)
Group Size: Maximum 10 participants
More Information or to REGISTER contact Christina Peak from Carer Gateway:
Phone: 0403 899 477
The Program
Session 1: Introduction to Mindfulness and the brain
Session 2: Feelings, informal Mindfulness, and stress and self-regulation of attention
Session 3: Types of problems, coping strategies and problem-solving
Session 4: Self-care, priorities, social networks
Session 5: Positive thinking and gratitude
Session 6: Wellbeing boosters and where to from here
Parents/carers discover strategies for themselves...
- Mindfulness strategies
- Slowing life down and being more in Flow
- Enjoying parenting more and reducing stress
- Resilience building exercises and strategies
- Mindful parenting strategies
- Self-care and Wellbeing Boosters
- Positive psychology strategies to support their child/children
- Mindful listening and responding
- Effective coping strategies
- Managing children's feelings and worries
- Problem solving strategies
And ways to support the people they are caring for through…
- Mindful listening & responding
- Effective coping strategies
- Managing children's feelings & worries
- Problem solving strategies
TESTIMONIALS
"I really appreciated the care and support throughout the program and also the practical strategies that were taught. These were easy to apply to a busy life – small changes have made a big impact."
Mother, September 2023
"Thank you Fiona for leading the Peaceful Parents program, it was fantastic. This workshop has been so helpful. Meeting others with similar experiences and learning with them made me more relaxed and encouraged me to use the strategies. Fiona and the content were excellent."
Father, September 2023
"I would highly recommend the Peaceful Parents program to any parent. It provided me with such useful and valuable information that I can use every day to help myself and my family. The workshop is delivered in such a way that is supportive, understanding and actually very peaceful! I feel I'm an 'improved parent' for doing this course. It will no doubt continue to help me cope with the stresses we have everyday in our family life and with our family relationships and connectedness. I'm really glad I made the effort and time to attend this program."
Mother, May 2022
"I am so grateful I had the opportunity to attend this wonderful program. If you are wanting more meaningful conversations with your children while learning mindfulness techniques for the whole family then this program will deliver."
Mother, May 2022
"Peaceful Parents Program can help to make you understand what impact your emotions have on your kids and help you to better manage them. Taking time to be mindful for you and your kids will help the dynamic of the household become more positive and calm. A great program for both mums and dads."
Father, May 2022
A Word from Andrew Fuller (Clinical Psychologist & Family Therapist)
"The strongest predictor of life success for children is being able to regulate emotions. This means when they are feeling anxious or avoidant that they can bring themselves back to being resilient. We can teach children these skills. Even better we can show them how to do it. This is where the ‘Peaceful Parents’ program is so powerful. By focusing on listening, communication, and mindful parenting we can demonstrate these skills to our children day in day out.
We also know that our relationships thrive when we Connect, Protect and Respect one another (CPR). 'Peaceful Parents' builds this by helping parents to 'Connect' - to their strengths as parents, identifying strengths of children and developing cultures of unconditional positive regard, 'Protect' – by knowing how to handle strong emotions, how to listen well & calming mindfulness and emotional regulation and to 'Respect' - using the 4 C’s – calm, curious, coach and communicate to develop ways to peacefully parent children.”
Andrew Fuller
Author, Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist
Hon. Fellow, Uni of Melbourne
Ambassador of Adolescent Success
Ambassador of ALDAF
Ambassador for Mind Matters
Research
Peaceful Kids is based on evidence-based therapy and research from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR), Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiBCT), Positive Psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The Peaceful Kids program is endorsed by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES). Peaceful Kids was researched through the Murdoch University for Beyond Blue - Be You and has now been approved as an evidence-based school program. Research has also been conducted through EACH on both the Peaceful Kids and Peaceful Parents program and evaluated by Save the Children for their 'Cool for School' Program.
Children & Teens
Peaceful Kids and Peaceful Teens are evidence-informed Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based programs designed to give children and teens the skills, practice, and support to utilise coping strategies that lessen the symptoms of anxiety and stress.
The 8-week programs help children and teens build their emotional resilience, so they are better equipped to deal with the day-to-day stresses that life brings them.
The programs require parental involvement with a commitment to supporting the strategies at home using the weekly parent updates and references to the participant’s journal.
Parents & Caregivers
Committed to offering programs that provide the best outcomes for our young people, Making Connections also delivers a workshop for caregivers, called Peaceful Parents.
Peaceful Parents is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology based parenting program designed to increase resilience in both parents and their children.
Peaceful Parents is a strength-based workshop that is engaging, practical and supportive for parents and caregivers.
Parents and caregivers learn strategies to reduce stress and enjoy parenting more, as well as practical strategies to build resilience in their children and teens.
