If you are a parent, or work directly with youth as a teacher, coach, social worker, therapist or with a youth-focused organization, and you want to increase your ability to connect, support, and provide emotional safety for those you work with - our training is for you.
Are you ready to make a difference in the life of teens?
Teen Talking Circles™ is a nonprofit organization based in Bainbridge Island, WA, and has been facilitating teen talking circles and providing facilitator trainings and workshops around the world for more than 30 years. We have witnessed the profound impact that teen talking circles can have on the lives of teens. Whether it's because of the conversations they have with peers face-to-face as they share what really matters to them -- or because they develop strong voices, agency, and confidence -- or the framework of emotional and relational skills that is established, teen talking circles provide a place for community, connection, and relationship that supports teens across barriers and feelings of isolation and loneliness.
You will create a connected and powerful sacred container for learning, bonding and healing. You will leave with new skills, inspiration and vision for the unique way you choose to bring this work to younger generations.
Facilitating talking circles is an act of social artistry that involves the ability to invite and hold sacred space for deep sharing, and requires cultivation and practice. The nature of this work is simple, human, qualitative, and ineffable, and grounded in one's own sense of knowing. However, it is important that facilitators have a solid foundation of proven circle methodology and evidence-based practices to work with youth with the greatest of skill, compassion, and integrity.
In this training you will:
- Experience being a part of a circle and understand the value to youth.
- Learn foundational practices in the art of facilitation, including the facilitator's role and responsibilities, how to create a safe container, how to handle risky behaviors, youth mental health, and tough topics, how to resolve conflict, and how to speak and listen from the heart.
- Learn and practice skills to support the risky behaviors, challenges, and mental health of teens.
- Gain an understanding of the developmental stage of teens and why they act the way they do and how best to support them.
- Explore techniques for engaging and supporting youth and their families.
- Explore your own teen years.
- Become part of a global community of facilitators who meet regularly.
- Enjoy lifetime entry into the Teen Talking Circles™ community of support that will be available to you after the training and on your journey of facilitation.
More about this training:
This immersive *IN PERSON* training takes place on Bainbridge Island over 4 days, July 11th - July 14th.
- Thursday is an early evening 5pm - 7pm opening session where we will have introductions, discuss the overall agenda for the weekend, "Open The Circle" and establish agreements. Light snack & tea will be provided.
- Friday & Saturday we will be in session 9:00 am - 6:00 pm with a long lunch and breaks for movement and integrations. Light breakfast fare will be provided each morning by TTC in the form of snack bars, muffins, fruit, juice, coffee and tea. Lunch options will be the responsibility of participants. There are 5 local restaruants onsite that accomodate a wide range of ditary preferences.
Saturday night there will be an optional group dinner at a local restaurant, participants are responsible for covering their own meal.
- Sunday will be from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Light breakfast fare will be provided in the morning by TTC in the form of snack bars, muffins, fruit, juice, coffee and tea. Lunch options will be the responsibility of participants. There are 5 local restaruants onsite that accomodate a wide range of deitary preferences.
Additional Information:
- We offer limited scholarships for different resource levels. For more information, please email: info@teentalkingcircles.org. These are grant funded scholarships and require a one year commitment of quartely follow ups.
- For current International Coaching Federation Members: This program is accredited by the ICF for CCE renewal. Core Competencies: 19 hours; Resource Development 8.5 hours. Please notify your instructors if you are utilizing this training for CCE's as there is a separate set of quizzes you must complete at the end of each session.
Although the primary mission of this training is in the service of youth, this facilitator training provides the basic information and skills necessary to run circles with people of any age.
We have learned so much about facilitating healthy and significant dialogue among and with teens from the work of Teen Talking Circles that it has become ingrained in our structure. Students now insist on there being time each week for 'circle,' both for girls and boys.--Andy Smallman, Director, Puget Sound Community School, Seattle, WA
Join us to learn how to make a difference in the lives of youth.
START A CIRCLE, SAVE A LIFE!
