Work/Life Integration

Today’s diverse society makes it difficult to describe a typical family situation or define what characteristics make a “perfect parent.” Culture, values, beliefs, emotional disposition and the environment in which a person was raised all influence parenting techniques. In an effort to be perfect, new parents will frequently try too hard to protect their child from any adverse experiences or go to great lengths in an attempt to please their children. This type of well-intended “perfect parenting” can lead to unanticipated problems.

Everyone has heard the saying to “take a walk in their shoes.” It is one of the simplest explanations of empathy. Understanding other peoples’ outlook, being able to recognize their emotions, and being sensitive to their situation is vital to communicate more effectively and build better relationships. This course will address ways to improve your capacity to demonstrate empathy.

This is a 1 hour webinar recording from September 2021. Click "view more and register" to access the recording*

Worries are thoughts we have about the future that generate fear. They arrive in the form of a “what if?” and generate dire warnings about terrible consequences that await us. Unfortunately, these warnings we give ourselves are generally overblown and focused on hypothetical problems that probably won’t happen. Chronic worry that begins to impact the quality of life becomes “anxiety” and well-intended suggestions to “stop worrying” or applying common stress management techniques are mostly ineffective.

People have a powerful need to understand and predict their environments in order to feel in control. When we are exposed to potential threats to our well-being, we naturally respond to this uncertainty with anxiety and fear. This training will address ways of effectively coping with uncertainty in today’s media-saturated world. The course will examine how to remain positive and functional despite the risks of living in a changing world. Included will be practical tips for coping with uncertainty, re-establishing control and how to speak to children about fear.

This year, the return to work and school is going to look — and feel — different than in year's past. Both parents and kids are going to be stressed and anxious about how to approach this "new normal". Avni Patel Thompson, the founder and CEO of Milo, is going to share a frame work about how to think about this new reality, planning tips, and how to divide household duties so the mental load feels equitable and manageable.

Keeping the romance alive in any long-term relationship can be difficult. The busyness of everyday life often prevents us from investing in our connection with our partner. Relationships are like a bonfire, they need a stable space, patience, a careful touch and the right ingredients to keep the fire going. In this workshop, you’ll learn the reasons passion wanes over time, barriers to connection and methods for reigniting the spark in your relationship.

Due to the upheaval in the housing market over the past few years many new realities of home ownership have appeared. These realities include changes in the types of home loans that are now available. It also includes more properties that are now bank-owned or under water which has changed how some interested buyers now view these types of properties. Potential buyers also need to recognize the importance of having their finances in order to apply for a home loan and understand how potential lenders now perceive what is considered good credit.

Kelly Leonard is a longtime creative executive at The Second City, the world’s premier comedy theatre, and he’s going to show us how improvisation can give individuals and groups the skills

There are many myths about counseling and psychotherapy that ultimately prevent people from seeking the help that they need. In this session we will explore these myths and demystify the therapy process. We will look at areas where therapy might be beneficial. This session will provide some insight into what happens during a therapy session and what one can expect when seeking services. We will give an overview of different therapeutic approaches and discuss appropriate levels of care to address certain concerns.

The pandemic has brought more grief, depression, and isolation than ever. Research shows that colleagues matters more in these times than professional help, but many of us feel too tapped to give it. Dr. Kelsey Crowe provides resilience building strategies and an “empathy workout” to better support from family and others in actionable ways.