Author: Tessa

TESSA Teens – Self-Care Art – Online

A small group, self-care art therapy course that will allow adopted teens to explore and express their inner thoughts and feelings, without needing the use of words.

Self-Care Art Therapy Course will be led by our experienced art therapist Oonagh Campbell.

Location – Online ( please ensure you have good internet connection and video and mic are both on)

Dates – Tuesday 27th September and Tuesday 4th, 11th & 18th October 2022

Times – 6pm-8pm

All art supplies will be sent to your home address.

Due to the nature of this group only 4 spaces available, early booking is advised.

To book your space or further details please contact the office.

Improving mental health and well-being, building resilience, exploring creative and engaging photography activates learning new skills in photography, exploring identity and expression through the lens.

We’ll help you capture the best moments.

Location – Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall Street, BT1 2FF

Dates – Thursday 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th September and Thursday 6th & 13th October 2022

Time – 4pm-6pm

Due to the nature of this group only 6 spaces available, early booking is advised.

To book your space or further details please contact the office.

“Why are so many adopted children verbally or physically aggressive? What  are they communicating through their behavior? What is the impact of living with a traumatised child? How do we stay calm in the face of our children’s overwhelmed and overwhelming emotions?” 

Love and Rage is a six-week programme for parents of adopted children to explore these frequently asked questions. This programme has traditionally been delivered in person. However, we are now ready to pilot this programme online. It will be similar to the in-person content with some alterations to make it more enjoyable whilst being online. Sessions will likely be on a Monday, for a series of six weeks for two hours per session. There will also be some home learning and reflection activities throughout the week.

Online Programme – Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November and Wednesday 1st & 8th December from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

In Person – Monday 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November and Monday 6th & 13th December from 10:30am-12:30pm, in the TESSA Office Belfast.

This short, mindfulness course is open to anyone who wishes to experience more calm in their lives. Mindfulness encourages a greater sense awareness and nurtures a feeling of kindness and understanding towards oneself and the world around us.  

These sessions will be delivered by Niamh Houghton, Mindful Kids Belfast. Niamh will introduce children and parents to various mindfulness practices including mindful breathing, mindful eating and the gratitude practice. The sessions will be led in a way that is gentle and child centered. They will offer an opportunity for parent and child to enjoy some peaceful time together while also learning a very valuable life skill.   

Wednesday 13th, 20th, 27th October and Wednesday 3rd & 10th November from 7pm-7.30pm

 Booking strictly limited to five families

TESSA are delighted to be attending and exhibiting at the Young Hearts & Minds Conference

Young Hearts & Minds Conference

La Mon Hotel Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st October 2021

The conference will bring together a wealth of knowledge, experience and research from some of the world’s leading experts in complex trauma recovery.

Young Hearts & Minds is for everyone who has a passion for the well-being and mental health of children and young people.  Take this opportunity to listen to progressive techniques and explore new methodologies on how to start the healing process and beat the long-term effects of early trauma, which can have a serious impact on a child’s development, throughout their youth, and into adulthood.  The teaching and learning at the conference will help you to develop resilience under pressure, enhance your professional development and inspire you to make a change.

Speaking at the the conference :-

• Karen Treisman
• Dan Siegal
• Marie Blaney
• Deirdre McLaughlin
• Koulla Yiasouma
• Stephen Porges
• Vivian McKinnon
• Jade Irwin
• Michael Gibbs
• Fiona Linehan

Creative Self-Care is a series of 4 online experiential self-care sessions for parents using Art Therapy methods.

When appropriate attention is focused on the care of the roots and trunk wholesomeness is emitted creating a safe place for others to hang out. 

Creative Self-Care 2 (for parents that have completed prior Self-Care 1)

Monday 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th November 2021 from 6pm-8pm.

No prior art experience needed.