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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  |  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


Open for Registration January 2026! 


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

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., ABSNP

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

TBA

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

TBA

Cara Daily, Ph.D.

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 

TBA

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

TBA


Registration & Fees

Registration Super Early Bird Fee Early Bird Fee Regular Fee
ONE DAY ENROLLMENT --
Individual 1 Day Enrollment $299.00 $319.00 $339.00
1 Day Group 3-7 $249.00 $269.00 $289.00
1 Day Group 8-14 $224.00 $244.00 $264.00
1 Day Group 15+ $199.00 $219.00 $239.00
1 Day Full-Time Student $199.00 $219.00 $239.00
--
TWO DAY ENROLLMENT --
Individual 2 Day Enrollment $539.00 $559.00 $579.00
2 Day Group 3-7 $489.00 $509.00 $529.00
2 Day Group 8-14 $464.00 $484.00 $504.00
2 Day Group 15+ $439.00 $459.00 $479.00
2 Day Full-Time Student $439.00 $459.00 $479.00
--
THREE DAY ENROLLMENT --
Individual 3 Day Enrollment $719.00 $739.00 $759.00
3 Day Group 3-7 $669.00 $689.00 $709.00
3 Day Group 8-14 $644.00 $664.00 $684.00
3 Day Group 15+ $619.00 $639.00 $659.00
3 Day Full-Time Student $619.00 $639.00 $659.00

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.


Please review our Registration Terms and Conditions for information on our cancellation policy, payment policies, rebates, and more. You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to register for a workshop or conference.


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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.
More information


Recommended Accommodation

Hilton Garden Inn West Edmonton
17610 Stony Plain Rd

Edmonton, AB T5S 1V9

 Full map & directions



Continuing Education Credits

Please check back closer to the conference date for more information.