Caregiver education series: Supporting anxious teens, how to skillfully address avoidance
Banner Image
Image

We’re excited to announce a new education series for the summer and fall. These free virtual workshops build on the principles of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and offer practical tools to help you support your loved one’s mental health.
A repeat workshop by popular demand! Whether your teen is avoiding school, the dinner table, or stepping out of their comfort zone, this workshop will help participants understand how avoidance reinforces anxiety and how to “coach” your teen to build self-confidence, tolerate uncertainty more effectively, and strengthen communication between you and your teen.
Rob Nettleton, MSW RSW, is a social worker and psychotherapist in The Royal’s Mood and Anxiety Program. In addition to his clinical role, Rob coordinates MSW student placements and develops and facilitates emotion coaching workshops for caregivers and parents. Outside of his work at The Royal, Rob maintains his small (but mighty!) private psychotherapy practice. He enjoys curling, writing non-fiction, and (whenever possible) playing video games. He can be reached at Robert.Nettleton@TheRoyal.ca.
Amanda Rocca, MSW RSW, is a social worker and psychotherapist in The Royal’s Youth Psychiatry Program. Through the youth outpatient program, she provides therapy for challenges such as chronic mood dysregulation and suicidal ideation. Amanda is passionate about helping families improve communication using emotion coaching strategies. Beyond her work at The Royal, she collaborates with Carleton University, local social work organizations, and Australian mental health academics to advance mental health social work education.
Other sessions in this series
We recommend reviewing these resources to prepare for these workshops: From conflict to connection (article) and Mental Health Foundations caregiver resources.
Tuesday November 4, 2025
6–7:30 p.m.
Click here to register. For more information, please contact Leticia.Hardowar@TheRoyal.ca.