The Edmonton School Mental Health Conference: Supporting Students Stress, Anxiety, Learning and Behaviour
Presented by
Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych
and Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABSNP
and Cara Daily, Ph.D.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – Friday, May 8, 2026
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Edmonton, ab
Date & Location
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – Friday, May 8, 2026
8:30am – 4:00pm
Hilton Garden Inn West Edmonton
17610 Stony Plain Rd
Edmonton, AB T5S 1V9

Who Should Attend
Education and Clinical Professionals: K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors/Psychologists, Learning Assistance/ Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers. All other professionals who support students 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 Early Childhood Educators.
Day One – May 6, 2026
Supporting the Anxious and Worried Mind in the Classroom and at School
Presented by
Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych
8:30am - 4:00pm May 6, 2026
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Think you’ve mastered everything you need to know about anxiety management? Think again – you might be surprised!
When it comes to supporting anxious students, most adults unknowingly perpetuate ineffective methods. For instance, do you provide accommodations to students to help relieve their anxiety? Do you advocate deep breathing or relaxation techniques as anxiety-busting strategies? If so, you may be unwittingly making student anxiety stronger.
Anxiety is at epidemic levels among children and teens. However, it is highly treatable when you know how to support students in helpful ways. This workshop is vital for every educator and school mental health professional committed to mastering their understanding of emotional health and to making a real difference in the lives of anxious students.
Revolutionize Your Approach to Enhance Student Well-Being
This is not just another workshop on anxiety – it’s a game-changer in mental health and education. Through practical applications and interactive learning, you will be equipped to support not just individual students but the entire classroom in managing anxiety and other big emotions while fostering emotional resilience.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Transform your understanding of anxiety and emotional health
- Uncover the key pathways and what perpetuates anxiety in students
- Challenge conventional methods that inadvertently perpetuate anxiety
- Equip yourself as an effective anxiety/emotion regulation coach to promote resilient, confident, and well-adjusted students
- Understand the core skills that EVERY student needs to learn for emotional well-being
- Walk away with an arsenal of practical tools and strategies that truly work
- Learn to apply strategies immediately to support the whole classroom, creating an inclusive and emotionally supportive learning environment
- Gain insights on fostering classroom culture that encourages emotional well-being, resilience, and collective growth
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…
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Day Two – May 7, 2026
Brain-Based Strategies for Children with Stress & Trauma: Building Resilience and Coping Skills in Students
Presented by
Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABSNP
8:30am - 4:00pm May 7, 2026
COURSE DESCRIPTION
According to the World Health Organization (2020), nearly half of all children worldwide, or approximately one billion children, suffer some form of violence each year. Exposure to trauma has been linked to a range of negative mental health outcomes including post-traumatic stress (PTS), anxiety, depression, and learning difficulties. Often times, early childhood traumatic experiences lead to maladaptive coping behaviours, heightened aggression, as well as poor social-emotional decision-making skills, all of which can impact mental health and school achievement. However, not all children exposed to trauma experience detrimental outcomes, as many are capable of devising internal coping and resilience strategies to grow from these experiences. Therefore, this workshop will explore the neural underpinnings of stress, trauma, and anxiety in children and its subsequent impact upon learning and behaviour. There will be a detailed discussion on specific brain regions impacted by trauma, as well as the relationship between anxiety and poor academic performance. Numerous interventions and practical classroom interventions will be emphasized. In summary, schools can enhance emotional wellness through early prevention efforts, appropriate assessment and screening techniques, and an improved school climate to foster emotional growth for all children.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Discuss the prevalence of stress, trauma, and anxiety for school aged children, as well as the various sources from which trauma can occur.
- Explore key brain regions that are impacted when students experience stress, trauma, and anxiety, and the subsequent effect on academic and social-emotional development.
- Discuss specific classroom accommodations and intervention strategies for students with stress and trauma, and key ways parents and educators can enhance resilience in children.
- Introduce the FACT trauma scale to measure the impact of trauma on academic and social-emotional functioning in a school environment.
- Review five essential steps toward the development of a “trauma informed” school.
Steven G. Feifer, D.Ed., ABPdN is dually trained as both a nationally certified school psychologist and board certified pediatric neuropsychologist. He has more than 20 years of experience working directly in public education, and is currently in private practice assessing children…
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Day Three – May 8, 2026
Disruptive and Challenging Behaviours with Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
Presented by
Cara Daily, Ph.D.
8:30am - 11:45am May 8, 2026
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This morning workshop provides a foundational, evidence-based framework for understanding and addressing disruptive and challenging behaviors in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. Participants will examine diagnostic criteria, neurodevelopmental underpinnings, and assessment tools used to identify autism and ADHD. Emphasis will be placed on functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and the design of effective behavioral interventions that increase appropriate behaviors while reducing challenging and disruptive ones. Through practical examples and applied strategies, attendees will gain tools they can immediately implement across school, clinical, and community settings.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD using DSM-5® and ICD-11
- Differentiate commonly used assessment tools for autism and ADHD
- Explain key aspects of brain function related to attention, impulse control, and behavior
- Conduct and interpret Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
- Design behavioral strategies to decrease disruptive behaviors and increase adaptive skills
Cara Marker Daily, PhD, BCBA, is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience providing assessment and treatment for children, adolescents and young adults with autism in the home, school, hospital and community settings. She…
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Brief Interventions including CBT strategies for Children and Adolescents with ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety
Presented by
Cara Daily, Ph.D.
12:45pm - 4:00pm May 8, 2026
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This afternoon workshop focuses on brief, practical, and empirically supported cognitive-behavioral interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. Participants will explore self-regulation strategies, mindfulness-based techniques, and structured CBT programs shown to reduce anxiety, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. The workshop also addresses social skills training, environmental modifications, and an overview of psychopharmacological considerations. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive toolbox of cognitive-behavioral and environmental strategies that support emotional regulation, positive behavior change, and functional success.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Compare self-regulation strategies that reduce stress and impulsive behaviors
- Implement mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques with children and adolescents
- Identify empirically validated CBT programs for autism, ADHD, and anxiety
- Apply social skills training approaches to improve peer and functional outcomes
- Recognize environmental modifications that enhance attention and positive behavior
- Evaluate psychopharmacological interventions commonly used with autism, ADHD, and anxiety
Registration & Fees
| Registration |
Super Early Bird Fee |
Early Bird Fee |
Regular Fee |
| ONE DAY ENROLLMENT |
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|
|
|
| Individual 1 Day Enrollment |
$279.00 |
$299.00 |
$319.00 |
| 1 Day Group 3-7 |
$229.00 |
$249.00 |
$269.00 |
| 1 Day Group 8-14 |
$209.00 |
$229.00 |
$249.00 |
| 1 Day Group 15+ |
$189.00 |
$209.00 |
$229.00 |
| 1 Day Full-Time Student |
$189.00 |
$209.00 |
$229.00 |
|
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|
|
|
| TWO DAY ENROLLMENT |
--
|
|
|
| Individual 2 Day Enrollment |
$499.00 |
$519.00 |
$539.00 |
| 2 Day Group 3-7 |
$459.00 |
$469.00 |
$489.00 |
| 2 Day Group 8-14 |
$429.00 |
$449.00 |
$469.00 |
| 2 Day Group 15+ |
$399.00 |
$419.00 |
$439.00 |
| 2 Day Full-Time Student |
$399.00 |
$419.00 |
$439.00 |
|
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|
|
|
| THREE DAY ENROLLMENT |
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|
|
|
| Individual 3 Day Enrollment |
$669.00 |
$689.00 |
$699.00 |
| 3 Day Group 3-7 |
$619.00 |
$639.00 |
$659.00 |
| 3 Day Group 8-14 |
$599.00 |
$619.00 |
$629.00 |
| 3 Day Group 15+ |
$469.00 |
$489.00 |
$509.00 |
| 3 Day Full-Time Student |
$469.00 |
$489.00 |
$509.00 |
All fees are per person and in Canadian Dollars ($CAD)
Fees do not include applicable taxes (5% GST).
Super early bird cutoff date: March 6, 2026
To receive the super early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Friday, March 6, 2026.
Early bird cutoff date: April 6, 2026
To receive the early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Monday, April 6, 2026.
Register Online Register your Group
Downloads
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Exhibitors are welcome at this event. We are pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities to businesses and organizations that provide services related to nursing, psychotherapy, addictions treatment, counselling, marriage & family therapy, psychology and other related fields.
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Recommended Accommodation
Continuing Education Credits
Please check back closer to the conference date for more information.
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