Lee University’s Marriage and Family Therapy and Play Therapy Center will host “Parenting by Heart,” an emotion-coaching conference for parents and caregivers, on campus and virtually, on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
This conference, facilitated by the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate interns, aims to provide advanced parenting skills for strengthening family communication and connections, while enhancing the child’s emotional competence, confidence, courage, and resilience.
“When children know what they are feeling and why, they learn how to positively express and self-regulate their emotions and behavior for successfully navigating life stressors, social relationships, and academic tasks with increased confidence and resiliency,” said Dr. Constance Ratcliff, clinic director of LUMFTPTC.
“Parenting by Heart” will address the importance of emotional intelligence and the five steps to be an emotion coach with children of all ages. During the workshop, parents/caregivers will learn to incorporate fun and engaging activities, along with research-based strategies they can use in everyday situations to foster deeper connections in the parent/child relationship.
Presenters include MFT graduate interns Josh Alexander, Ashlyn Blackburn, Callie Bryson, Andrew DiPastena, Megan Greever, Megan Hodges, Emily Hoffman, Kathryn Reiker, Daniel Kiser, Courtney Liljekvist, Charidith McMichen, Hannah Morris, Maddie Ohman, Sara Pennington, Abby Simmons, Tolulope Sofeso, Ghalysa Swann, Millie Swinson, Heather Taylor, Linden Turner, Aaron Warren, Maddy White, and Taylor Young.
The conference is free for all attendees, but pre-registration is required by Thursday, Nov. 5. Lunch will be provided, along with snacks and drinks throughout the day.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, face masks and temperature checks will be required for those attending in person. To ensure social distancing is maintained, the conference will be held in the Johnson Lecture Hall, located in Lee’s Humanities Center, Room 104.
For those interested in attending virtually, a Zoom link will be provided prior to the event.
Lee counseling services are available for individual/family and couples therapy by appointment throughout the year.
For more information, to register, or to get the link for virtual viewing, call Lee’s Marriage and Family Therapy and Play Therapy Center at 614-8112, visit leemft.org, or email info@leemft.org.