The Vancouver Island Conference | Day One

Presented by Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych

Live Streaming Monday, April 28, 2025

$244.00

6 Hours  |   Pre-approved for CEU’s

Description

LIVE STREAM: April 28 – 30, 2025 from 8:30am – 4:00pm (Vancouver, BC) Please adjust your start time according to your specific time zone. 

ON-DEMAND: Recorded footage & course content (certificate, videos, quiz) will be available until June 2, 2025. Please allow 3 – 10 business days for footage to be processed. Extensions cannot be granted under any circumstances.

Registration will close April 27, 2025. 

 


Monday, April 28, 2025  |  Day One

Oppositional, Defiant and Explosive Behaviours: Transforming Challenges for Long Term Success
PRESENTED BY Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych

While occasional defiance and emotional outbursts are a normal part of child development, they become concerning when they are frequent, intense, and interfere with a child’s ability to function at home, school, or in relationships. Behavioural disorders are the most common mental health issue in children, often co-occurring with other conditions, and can lead to long-term difficulties if left unaddressed.
Early intervention is key to promoting social, emotional, and behavioural well-being. This workshop is designed for anyone working with children and youth facing behavioural challenges, including clinicians, educators, and families. Participants will gain an understanding of these behaviours, their root causes, and the limitations of current approaches. The workshop will also provide practical, evidence-based strategies that can be immediately applied to support children and youth in various settings. Boost your confidence with creating positive, supportive environments that encourage desirable behaviours, enhance communication, and foster conflict resolution skills.

Anxiety Solutions: Practical Strategies for Resilience, Confidence and Coping Skills in Children and Youth

Anxiety has reached epidemic levels and is now the most common mental health challenge among children and teens. Unfortunately, many children go untreated until anxiety escalates into more severe issues, such as depression, social difficulties, and behavioural problems. Early intervention is crucial, but many parents, teachers, and professionals miss the signs of anxiety or unintentionally reinforce the anxiety cycle.
This workshop is designed for anyone working with children and teens struggling with anxiety. Through a transdiagnostic lens, participants will gain a deep understanding of how anxiety manifests and how to intervene effectively. Special attention will be given to the unique stressors faced by children and adolescents today, including pressures from technology and social media. Participants will also learn why common strategies may inadvertently worsen anxiety and, more importantly, how to help kids build resilience, confidence, and coping skills to overcome their fears.
This workshop will provide clinicians, educators, and families with the tools needed to address and manage anxiety in children and teens effectively. Participants will leave with practical strategies, a deeper understanding of anxiety, and confidence in their ability to support young people in building resilience and overcoming fear.

AGENDA

Laying the Foundations: Understanding Behaviours

  • Understanding the adaptive nature of behaviours
  • Identifying the role of emotions on behaviours, along with the sources, signs, and impact of stress on functioning
  • Differentiating between misbehaviour and stress behaviour
  • Discovering why most behavioural interventions fail
  • Creating supportive relationships and environments that promote positive behaviours
  • Strengthening core skills to address all behavioural challenges
  • Mastering effective proactive strategies to promote positive behaviours

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing children’s behaviour.
  • Master the principles and practices of positive behaviour support.
  • Develop skills to create supportive relationships and environments that promote adaptive behaviours.
  • Implement effective intervention strategies to manage and transform behaviours.
  • Develop effective skills to handle any situation without escalation.
  • Develop effective skills to handle any situation without escalation.

This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively support children and youth facing behavioural challenges and to create environments that foster growth, resilience, and long-term success.

Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.

Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych, is a psychologist. Mother. Professor. International Speaker. Yoda of Anxiety. ADHD Superhero. And Changer of Lives. With nearly three decades of experience, she is a recognized expert in resilience and the social, emotional, and behavioural well-being of children and teens. In 2024, Dr. Caroline was honoured as Alberta’s Psychologist of the Year for her exceptional contributions to the field.

Known for her dynamic, engaging style, Dr. Caroline has a knack for simplifying complex challenges and equipping professionals with practical tools that make a real difference. Her workshops go beyond theory, providing strategies that educators, caregivers, and mental health professionals can use immediately to support children and teens facing any challenge.

Through her work at Koru Family Psychology and research at Athabasca University, Dr. Caroline’s mission is clear: to help every child unlock their potential, build confidence, and embrace resilience. When you train with Dr. Caroline, expect to be inspired, empowered, and ready to create a world where everyone thrives.

RegistrationEarly bird FeeRegular Fee
Individual 1 Day Enrollment$244.00N/A
Individual 2 Day Enrollment$484.00N/A
Individual 3 Day Enrollment$664.00N/A

All fees are in Canadian dollars ($CAD) and per person.

Group rates and student discounts are available. Please contact webinars@jackhirose.com for more information.

Fees are per person, seat sharing is not allowed. Please respect this policy, failure to comply will result in termination of access without a refund. For group rates please contact webinars@jackhirose.com

  • Canadian Psychological Association
    The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers (NLASW) accept CPA-approved continuing education credits