COVID-19 and all the events that followed in 2020 created an increase of uncertainty and stress worldwide. People were faced with changes in their work environment, their home environment, and many people lost loved ones. As a result, families began living through levels of toxic stress, fears and anxieties rose.

Preschool Services Department has partnered with Jess Bernal, LMFT to provide parents a series of wellness groups. Jess Bernal, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in infant and early childhood mental health, parent-child therapy, and trauma care.

Parent Wellness Groups are 1 hour monthly. The group will focus on topics for parents of young children focusing on the stress induced by the COVID pandemic. There will be a new topic each month from Sept 2021 to May 2022. Topics focus on parenting skills and parent wellness. Group topics are listed on the attached schedule.

Topics:
  • Parent Fatigue
  • Simple Self Care
  • Challenging Behaviors
  • Managing Holiday Stress
  • Mindfulness
  • Creating Secure Attachment
  • Challenging Negative Thoughts
  • Parent-Child Relationships
  • Positive Discipline