The Relationship Advantage

An evening for parents, carers, educators and anyone supporting young people and teens.

The science and transformative power of relationship for engagement, regulation and learning.

The most powerful force in the development of children and adolescents isn’t a technique, a consequence, or a perfectly timed response. It’s relationship.

Relationship shapes how young people experience the world, how they handle hard things, how they learn and regulate and who they’re becoming. It’s the single greatest protective factor a young person can have. Whether at school or at home, it’s the essential ingredient that makes everything else possible.

But it’s also often the first thing to take a hit when life gets busy, behaviour gets hard or resources are stretched.

Join Karen Young for an inspiring and practical evening exploring the science of relationships and the powerful role connection plays in learning, regulation, behaviour and wellbeing.

Grounded in neuroscience and full of warmth, Karen will explore what helps us build relationships that genuinely influence, what gets in the way, and the small everyday moments that can make more difference than we realise.

Across the evening, Karen will explore:

Why connection is the foundation of influence, and how to build it, even when connection feels tricky
The four essential pillars for regulation, learning, behaviour and engagement and how relationship is key to all of them
What young people need most from us, and the small everyday moments that matter more than we think
What gets in the way of connection, and how to recognise it before it erodes
Practical strategies that build relationship using the resources already available to you
How to respond to big feelings in ways that build connection and influence, rather than distance
How to hold firm, loving boundaries without losing the relationship
Why ‘perfect’ relationships aren’t the answer and what is

What to expect

An evening of practical, evidence-informed ideas you can use in the everyday moments that matter.

Karen will bring together the science of relationships with the realities of parenting, education and supporting young people. Expect warmth, relatable examples and practical strategies, without the pressure to get it perfect.

You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of what sits underneath behaviour and big emotions, along with practical ways to strengthen connection, hold boundaries and support young people when things feel hard.

Who is this for?

This event is for the adults supporting young people and teens — parents, carers, grandparents, sport coaches, educators, school leaders and healthcare professionals.

About Karen Young

Karen began her career as a psychologist, working extensively with children, teens and families. She is now a leading authority on anxiety and child development.

She is a sought-after speaker and consultant and works with schools, government bodies, and child and adolescent-focused organisations in Australia and internationally to build resources, implement procedures, and support the professional development of staff.

Karen is the founder of Hey Sigmund, an internationally popular online resource that provides contemporary, research-driven information on anxiety and child development.

She is the author of six books, including the bestselling Hey Warrior, which creatively assists children to understand and manage anxiety. Her books have been published in a number of languages and have collectively sold over 400,000 copies worldwide.

About Kirrilie Smout

Kirrilie Smout is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of Developing Minds Psychology. With more than 25 years’ experience working with children, teenagers and families, Kirrilie brings extensive clinical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges facing young people and the adults who support them.

Kirrilie will be our MC for the evening.

Please note: this event is for adults only.

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Contact the host of Karen Young - The Relationship Advantage