Jacinta Webster and Dr. Chris de Feijter are involved with SPACE. (Submitted photo/Chris de Feijter )

By Derek Cornet

new program

Supportive parenting training available to ease anxiety in families

Jun 14, 2021 | 5:18 PM

Two behavioural specialists from La Ronge will be leading the way in a new type of anxiety training in Saskatchewan.

Dr. Chris de Feijter and speech and language pathologist Jacinta Webster will be involved in delivering an eight-session parent-based training program called Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). It’s being launched through de Feijter’s consulting and counselling corporation and is expected to begin in July.

“What SPACE does is it specifically targets how parents manage their own behaviour concerning the anxiety that the child has,” de Feijter said. “What it does is the training focuses on changes that parents can make to their own behaviour rather than forcing the child to make changes to their behaviour.”

The training is done completely online, de Feijter explained, with sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes depending on the topic. The program is planned to go through one session per week with parents having about an hour or two of homework. Training, however, could be completed quicker if the group, which needs a minimum of 10, want to work at a faster pace.

In Saskatchewan, de Feijter noted he is the only person currently capable of providing SPACE, but added he’s been involved with anxiety training since 1995.

long-term care

La Ronge housing shortage discussed at SUMA convention

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

snowfall

Extreme weather leads to cancelled flights at La Ronge Airport

Apr 17, 2024

“Kids do not attend any of the sessions,” he said. “The focus is only on the parents, but in the end, the children are still the client because the behavioural changes the parents make are all focusing on assisting the child on their behaviour as well.”

In addition, individual training is available for parents who prefer privacy and training that is specifically aimed at the childhood anxiety problems they experience at their home.

For those wanting more information, de Feijter encourages readers to visit the Parenting Anxious Children website. There, people can find a short video and details on how they can register.

The training is open to any residents of Saskatchewan.

–

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno