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Supporting Schools & Families:
School- Based Workshops with Dr. Tara, ND

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Meet Dr. Tara!

Dr. Tara Rawana, ND is the former co-founder of All About Mental Empowerment, an organization that has delivered mental health education to over 100 schools across the GTA, reaching more than 10,000 students and supporting hundreds of parents and teachers.

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With a focus in supporting tweens through the changes of puberty and early adolescence, Dr. Tara provides practical, evidence-informed guidance that empowers middle school students & parents to confidently support their children during these formative years.

What's Included in Each Workshop

Workshop Details:

  • Length: 1 hour per workshop

  • Availability: Tuesdays and Thursdays

  • Investment: $650 + tax per workshop

Student Workshops Include:

  • Parent Resource: A 5-page digital guide to continue the conversation at home

  • Teacher Lesson Plan: Three ready-to-use classroom activities with supporting worksheets to reinforce learning before and after the workshop

Parent Workshops Include:

  • Digital Resource: A 5-page summary of all workshop content, making it easy to implement the strategies and insights at home​

Middle School Student Workshops

Big Feelings, Stress & Your Changing Brain

Middle school is a time of change, students face shifting identities, stronger emotions, and new expectations at school and home. This workshop helps them understand what’s happening in their developing brains and why stress starts to feel different at this age. Students will walk away with practical tools to recognize early signs of stress, regulate strong emotions, and build resilience strategies they can use both inside and outside the classroom.

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Key Takeaways:

  • What’s happening in the tween/middle school brain and why emotions feel so intense

  • How stress shows up in the body and early warning signs to watch for

  • Practical, evidence-based tools to find calm, refocus, and bounce back from challenges

  • Everyday resilience skills that support academic and social success

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AI, Social Media & the Middle School Brain

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Digital life is shaping how students think, feel, and connect and artificial intelligence is changing that landscape even faster. In this session, students explore how algorithms, filters, and AI-generated content influence what they see online, impact their self-esteem, and affect their mental health. They’ll gain critical digital citizenship skills to question online content, recognize when scrolling takes a toll, and build healthier screen-time habits that protect their well-being.​

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Key Takeaways:

  • How algorithms and AI shape feeds, friendships, and online pressures

  • The connection between screen time, dopamine, and mood

  • Skills to spot misinformation and “fake realities” online

  • Practical strategies to protect mental health, resilience, and self-esteem in a digital world

Friendships, Peer Pressure & Staying True to Yourself

Friendships are one of the most important—and sometimes hardest—parts of middle school life. This interactive workshop gives students the tools to navigate shifting friendships, resist peer pressure, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Using real-life scenarios, students will practice applying their personal values when faced with tough choices, helping them build confidence, positive relationships, and social resilience.​

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Key Takeaways:

  • Why friendships change during middle school and how to handle those shifts

  • Recognizing healthy vs. unhealthy friendship patterns

  • Strategies for standing strong against peer pressure and making safe choices

  • Using personal values as a guide to build confidence and resilience in social situations

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Middle School Parent Workshops

Puberty can feel overwhelming for both parents and kids. This workshop breaks it down into clear, manageable pieces, covering the physical, emotional, and social changes your child is going through. You’ll walk away with a roadmap of what’s normal, what to expect, and how to support your child without the awkwardness or confusion.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • A clear overview of puberty: timelines, stages, and what’s typical

  • What’s happening physically vs. emotionally (and how the two connect)

  • How to respond when your child’s changes spark questions or silence

  • Practical tips to normalize conversations and reduce stigma at home

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Puberty Simplified: What Every Parent Needs to Know

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Middle school often brings mood swings, boundary-testing, and unpredictable behaviour. This workshop explains what’s happening inside your tween’s brain that makes them act the way they do. When you understand the neuroscience behind risk-taking, big emotions, and decision-making, it’s easier to parent with patience, empathy, and confidence. You’ll also walk away with tangible strategies to talk to your tween about their big feelings, and tools to support both your child’s mental health and your own.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • What’s happening in the tween brain (and why it’s so different from an adult brain)

  • Why your child seeks independence, pushes limits, and craves peer approval

  • How brain changes affect mood, sleep, and school performance

  • Tangible strategies for talking about emotions and mental health with your tween

  • Practical tools to support your child’s mental health, while protecting your own

The Tween Brain: Why They Act the Way They Do

Puberty, Social Media & Mental Health

Puberty collides with social media in powerful ways, shaping body image, confidence, and emotional health. This workshop helps parents understand the unique challenges tweens face when they’re online while also navigating big internal changes. We’ll also unpack the growing role of AI and chatbots: how kids are using them, the risks of over-reliance, and how parents can guide safe and balanced use. You’ll leave with practical strategies to protect your child’s well-being without constant battles over screens.

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Key Takeaways:

  • How puberty makes kids more vulnerable to comparison, FOMO, and online pressures

  • The impact of algorithms, AI, and chatbots on mental health and decision-making

  • Warning signs of unhealthy social media and AI reliance

  • Practical tools to set boundaries, build digital resilience, and support self-esteem

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All workshops can be facilitated in person (within the GTA) or virtually. If you have questions or would like to discuss a custom workshop for your middle school, please connect with Dr. Tara below.

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