Sunday, March 30, 2:00 PM
Families with children in 1st grade and up are invited to this special workshop presented by Kathy DiMario, a psychology instructor and counselor who developed Think Pawsitive: Posha’s Superpower Toolbox, a social-emotional learning (SEL) tool that combines cognitive psychology and self-esteem principles to help children build resilience and manage negative thoughts.
The Think Pawsitive workshop is designed to equip children and their parents/caregivers with essential tools to support mental health by fostering self-esteem, resilience, and a positive mindset. Participants will learn effective strategies to address challenges such as bullying and peer pressure. The workshop combines the book What Kind of Dog Am I? with cognitive psychology techniques and Virginia Satir's Self-Esteem Toolkit to teach children to love themselves for who they are.
Each participant will receive a handout containing engaging exercises that help children develop a healthy and accurate self-perception. This program is designed to promote children's mental health and well-being in an engaging and accessible manner.
About the presenter: Kathy DiMario transitioned from a career as a Social Security manager to earning a Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling from Monmouth University, where she was awarded Outstanding Academic Achievement and Outstanding Counselor. For the past 14 years, she has taught psychology, including child psychology, at Ocean County College.
Kathy co-authored the award-winning children's book What Kind of Dog Am I?, inspired by her daughter’s rescue dog, Posha. The book has been shared in over 200 schools, reaching 20,000 students and resulting in over $10,000 in donations to school libraries. Reflecting on her impact, Lin Manuel Miranda, Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy-winning author and composer of Hamilton, said: "Kathleen, the work that you do is commendable and admirable. Thank you for being the hero to hundreds of children who read it."
Kathy has presented workshops at Ocean County College and national forums, equipping parents, educators, and children with strategies for enhancing emotional well-being. For more information about Kathy, please click here to visit her website.
Mental Health Is Health: EB Stands United