Hamptons Mindful Youth offers options for children, teens, and parents, and all of the content is tailored specifically to help enhance learning for everyone in attendance. For example, the child and adolescent programs incorporate technology and art-making them super interactive and engaging. Most programs follow a ten (10) session model, although there is some variation. If you feel that your child or teen needs to build on their skill set but are not sure which program would be most beneficial please contact Dr. Maria for further details and she will help you determine the best fit.
Some of our current Skills Building Programs include:
Mindful Youth Program – Stress-Reduction and Wellbeing
This program is an adaptation of the adult evidence-based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program developed by Jon Kabat-Zin. Participants learn about the various types of mindfulness practices and participate in experiential exercises during sessions. They are then provided with materials for at-home weekly practice.
Mind Skills – Social Emotional Learning Program
This program was developed with the goal of promoting resilience and wellbeing by helping participants increase their emotional intelligence, identify personal strengths, and develop positive coping techniques. Each week participants receive an at-home practice assignment to help generalize skills learned.
Mind Ease – Anxiety Relief
This program is centered on helping to relieve anxiety in children and adolescents by combining traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relaxation training with Mindfulness-Based Therapy. Participants learn to be mindful of and challenge anxiety-provoking thinking errors while gaining coping skills.
Mind Shift – Cognitive Behavior Therapy
This program was developed to provide a background of Cognitive Behavior Therapy principles. Participants are taught how to identify and challenge negative thinking and reframe thoughts in a more realistic and positive manner
Mind Set – Organization and Productivity
This program was developed to help children learn organizational and time management skills and to identify emotional states and defeat unhelpful habits that lead to procrastination. Participants are systematically taught time management skills such as using a planner and checklists, establishing routines, and promoting other areas of executive functioning.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Skills Program
The main focus of ACT is to increase mindfulness and psychological flexibility. Clients are taught to observe their thoughts, feelings, emotions, and environmental cues, rather than reacting to them. Acceptance involves embracing private experiences without trying to change or avoid them. Through cognitive diffusion exercises, clients learn to diffuse from thoughts and see them for what they are, merely thoughts. Lastly, a significant focus is placed on exploring personal values and ACTing in accordance with them.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed Skills Program
This program is intended for adolescents and focuses on five skill areas, including Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Frustration Tolerance, and Perspective-taking/ Compromise. Dialectical Behavior Therapy has a substantial research base and is effective in decreasing symptoms associated with a variety of mental health disorders.
Mindful Parenting
This course is specially designed for parents and caregivers to provide a general outline of behavior management principles and ways to mindfully intervene with anxiety-based or disruptive/non-compliant behaviors. Parents learn to become more aware of their children’s cues and needs and to respond mindfully rather than reactively. A central focus of this course also involves providing parents with skills to better cope with their own stress.
College Prep Program
This program was specifically developed to assist college-bound adolescents in the transition to college life and academic rigor. Areas of focus include establishing healthy life habits, study skills, organization and time management skills, and accessing other resources for college success.
*All clients enrolling for skills building courses require an initial intake session to assure appropriateness of fit and for Dr. Pentcheva to be able to adapt the program to specific needs. Additionally, an individual parent/child session will be scheduled upon the conclusion of the course to provide a summary of skills learned and how to continue generalizing these skills in everyday life.
*Skill building programs ARE NOT a substitute for individual therapy and may not be appropriate for everyone. Dr. Maria can help determine whether individual therapy may be more appropriate.
*Skills building programs may be done individually or with a group.
631-268-4203 | drpentcheva@hamptonsmindfulyouth.com