Parent Training Feelings in Focus: Guiding Emotional Growth for 22q Youth is a disability-specific, six-week program designed to empower parents and carers in supporting their child with 22q in managing, understanding, and regulating their emotions effectively. This program provides essential insights into the psychological and behavioural characteristics of 22q, equipping families to overcome barriers, build functional skills, and address common challenges related to the condition.
The Feelings in Focus program is designed with flexibility in mind. All sessions are delivered live online, giving you the opportunity to engage in real time and interact with experts and fellow participants. Can’t make it to a live session? No problem! Each session will be recorded and made available as on-demand webinars, allowing you to watch at your convenience throughout the six-week program and three more weeks after its conclusion. Whether you prefer live participation or learning on your own schedule, this program ensures you won’t miss a thing.
Topics covered include:
Developing parental emotional awareness and regulation to model adaptive, balanced responses, fostering resilience and emotional stability in the participant.
Understanding the unique emotional and behavioural patterns in 22q and applying strategies tailored to meet the participant’s impairment needs.
Strengthening the parent-child connection through empathetic, targeted support that enhances emotional regulation and independence.
Practical, evidence-based strategies to support participants in expressing and managing emotions, increasing their ability to manage personal care routines independently.
Building collaborative problem-solving skills, equipping participants to engage confidently in social activities, improving relationships, and developing critical social skills for everyday interactions.
Our disability-specific program empowers participants by enhancing parental understanding of 22q, helping them overcome psychological and behavioural barriers to develop life skills, independence, and social engagement. By the end of the program, parents will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to support their child’s journey towards greater autonomy, social confidence, and functional skills.
Course Schedule: (All live sessions take place from 19:00 to 20:00 CEST (UTC+2), but you can also watch the recorded sessions!)
1. Wednesday, September 3, 2025 – Session 1
2. Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – Session 2
3. Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – Session 3
4. Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – Session 4
5. Wednesday, October 1, 2025 – Session 5
6. Wednesday, October 8, 2025 – Session 6
Trainer: Dr. Sasja Duijff
Platform: Online via Zoom
Time: 19:00–20:00 (CEST)
Costs:
Feelings in Focus Training: EUR€250,-
Feelings in Focus Training + 2 one-on-one coaching sessions EUR€499,- (worth EUR€530,-)
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About the trainer
Dr. Sasja Duijff is a registered pediatric psychologist and mindfulness trainer with over 20 years of experience supporting children and adults with 22q and their families. She holds a PhD on 22q. Sasja is particularly passionate about empowering parents, this dedication inspired her to develop the trauma-informed Care4Parents training program, which offers essential guidance for families navigating their journeys.
Her 15 years of experience (2003-2018), at the 22q outpatient clinic at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital in Utrecht highlighted the vital importance of collaboration between specialists and parents. Known for her curiosity, warmth, and analytical approach, she is enthusiastic about meeting families and helping them thrive. As a mindfulness supervisor and teacher, Sasja integrates mindfulness practices into her work, fostering resilience and well-being among the families she serves.
In her role as an educator on Infant Mental Health, Sasja provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to the needs of families. Her expertise covers the lifespan of 22q, addressing issues from prenatal counseling to adulthood, with a focus on stress management, chronic sorrow, trauma, and compassion. Sasja is based in The Netherlands and is fluent in both Dutch and English.
