Anxiety in our children is real — and it isn’t going away just because we’re busy. That’s why an upcoming workshop in St. Albert is a timely and much-needed resource for parents, caregivers, and educators alike.

*EDIT: Please note that the event date was rescheduled for this event and will now take place on OCTOBER 15, 2025. 

What’s Happening in St. Albert

On September 11 at 6 p.m., psychologist and play therapist Tania Johnson will lead a workshop entitled “Childhood Anxiety: Helping Children Heal.” Hosted in St. Albert, the event is structured to help attendees better recognize, understand, and respond to anxiety in children with both confidence and compassion.

The workshop is strength-based and holistic, covering key areas such as:

• Brain development

• Attachment

• Environmental influences

• Natural supports

These dimensions are woven together to equip participants with practical tools and fresh perspective.

Why This Matters Now

Childhood anxiety is more common than many realize. It can show up as school refusal, social withdrawal, chronic worry, or physical complaints (stomachaches, headaches). And for parents and caregivers, it can be deeply stressful when you see your child struggling, but feel uncertain how to help.

Workshops like this one matter because they offer:

1. Education & understanding — learning how anxiety shows up in children, including brain and developmental aspects

2. Practical tools — strategies to respond rather than react, to soothe rather than stir up

3. Community & support — you’re not alone in this. Sharing the journey with other parents or professionals can mitigate isolation

4. Prevention & early intervention — the earlier we can understand and support a child’s emotional world, the better outcomes tend to be

Especially in today’s world — with high academic demands, social media, global uncertainty, and ever-present performance pressures — children’s emotional health deserves as much intentional care as their physical health.

What You Can Do (Even If You Can’t Attend)

Not everyone will be able to make it to the event, but the principles behind it can still be put into motion at home, in classrooms, or in your community. Here are some ideas:

• Open dialogues about feelings
  Let your child know it’s okay to feel anxious. Model naming your own emotions, and normalize them.

• Create safe emotional spaces
  Times when children can share worries without judgment (bedtime, walks, art time).

• Teach coping tools
  Deep breathing, grounding techniques, sensory tools (stress ball, weighted blanket, quiet corners)

• Monitor stress load
  Too much extra activity, screen time, lack of sleep, or constant pressure can fuel anxiety.

• Encourage support networks
  Friends, mentors, school counsellors, community groups — more connection helps.

• Keep perspective
  While anxiety is serious, many children grow out of patterns when given scaffolding, reassurance, and consistent support.

Final Thoughts

The St. Albert workshop represents more than just an event — it reflects a shift in how we as a community can respond to children’s inner lives. Anxiety isn’t a character flaw or “bad behavior”; it’s a signal that the child’s system is struggling with something in their environment, body, or relationships.

If you’re in the area, this could be a powerful evening of learning, connection, and reframing. And even if you can’t attend, know that the tools and frameworks behind it are accessible — and worthy of integrating into how we care for the children in our lives.

Grab Tickets to the event- They’re on sale now and limited quantity.