The FRIENDS Program: Building Resilience and Preventing Anxiety

The FRIENDS program is a developmentally targeted curriculum designed to prevent anxiety and foster resilience in children and adolescents. With over 30 years of evidence based research, it has been studied and published across various cross cultural settings, proving its effectiveness in diverse environments.

This workshop will explore key risk and protective factors in the development of anxiety and how these shape the FRIENDS curriculum. Participants will learn how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques are used to work with children, parents, and teachers to enhance emotional wellbeing. Through experiential group activities and video demonstrations, attendees will gain practical skills for implementing the program.

An information package will be sent to participants after the conference, offering additional resources to support the ongoing use of FRIENDS. Facilitated by Paula Barrett and Josie Lau, this workshop provides valuable insights for educators, mental health professionals, and parents working with young people.