January 2010: Been speaking in many schools to students K -12 on Healthy Ways
to Cope with Grief, Loss and Other Tough Stuff.
The students truly enjoy my presentation.
After a program at Avenel Middle School yesterday a group of 6th graders told me that I "rocked". Pretty good compliment
I think. I am teaching these students about asking for help, who to turn to in difficult times, how to calm themselves down
a bit, how to cope with anger, sadness, loneliness, guilt, depression and more. I teach them about true depression and anxiety
and explain how people need help from those who are knowledgable about those things, such as counselors, much like they would
go to your soccer coach to get help with soccer. I have been loving being in the classrooms and truly feel as though I am
making a difference in the lives of many. If a few children wind up not turning to substances, alcohol, cutting, eating disorders
or other unhealthy coping attempts, then I have done my work well. I teach them about other healthy ways to cope and bring
in many things to show them and let them try out for themselves. I also bring books, web sites and helplines for them to turn
to in times of need.
December 09: Lisa spoke to many high school students at various high schools in NJ about Coping with Transitions,
Grief and Loss. Lisa always leaves students feeling that her message made a difference in many lives.
November 09: Lisa spoke at various colleges and universities to students
about in the fields of education, special education and substance abuse counseling about supporting future students K-12 through
losses and grief. Among the universities she spoke at were: FDU, Kean and Seton Hall.
Lisa is quite involved serving on the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth
and the Lead Response Team for Union, Essex and Middlesex Counties in NJ.
Lisa has been taking a lot of continuing education in the areas of grief, trauma, youth suicide as well as suicide
from different cultural perspectives.
Speaking
at several schools to the guidance departments as well as special services has been quite rewarding as well. Schools include
places such as: Belleville, Teaneck, Delbarton and more.
January 10, 09: Lisa received training through Comfort Zone Camp to become a counselor
at this free camp for children who have lost a sibling or parent through death. ( www.comfortzonecamp.org ) February 2009: Lisa
is took an on-line course on : Caring for Children and Families: Providing Psychosocial and Spiritual Assistance
through The National Center for Death Education.
January 28,29,30: Lisa was trained for the Union County Traumatic Loss Coalition
for Youth, (MACY training in traumatic loss)
Part II: School
Protocol when dealing with Homicide and Suicide : February 26, 27, 2009.
Lisa Athan was recently video taped on local assess channel 36 out of West Orange NJ . The
name of the program that is aired in West Orange and nearby communities is called, Let's Communicate about Issues
that Affect the Family. Lisa spoke about grief and loss in the lives of children and teens.
Lisa will be an all day presenter at Kean
University on April 17th for the New Jersey School Counselors Association Spring Conference. She is presenting on children,
teens, grief and loss as it pertains to the school counselor. Topics to be discussed: when a parent is ill, when a parent
has died, parents going through divorce, incarceration and the affect on children, immigration and loss issues and self injurious
behaviors and other harmful coping attempts used by youth to deal with their grief.