Wrksp 1/28: Creating Anxiety Resilient Families: Practical Tools From An Imperfect Parent
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
4:30-5:30pm
Ithaca Waldorf School
20 Nelson Road, Ithaca, NY
FREE for IWS families
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, yet it is increasingly being experienced by both youth and adults in overwhelming proportions, interfering with everyday functioning and meaningful wellbeing. This community conversation and learning experience will examine the root causes of escalating anxiety and provide practical skills for building familial resilience against the negative impacts of anxiety. Integrating perspective and practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), we will - hand in hand - look bravely at our own avoidance of uncomfortable feelings and build familial language and practices for facing - and even embracing - distress. For my family and for yours, these practices make room for us to derive greater fulfillment out of the messy, unpredictable journey of life.
Megan McCormick, PhD
Dr. McCormick is a child clinical psychologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, and the Co-Founder and Director of Programs for the Center for Wellbeing in School Environments (WISE) at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. More importantly, she is the parent of Stonie, age 5, and Ren, age 2, both students in Waldorf's early childhood program. Dr. McCormick's career has centered on the development, implementation and research of multi-tiered, integrated and relationally-centered mental health programming in schools, specifically how trauma-informed training, consultation, and intervention can prevent, mitigate, and treat mental health challenges in educators and students, specifically in under-resourced and oppressed regions. WISE is a national leader in child and family mental health, partnering with schools and organizations worldwide to de-pathologize school-based challenges and promote relational health as a primary path to healing and success.
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
4:30-5:30pm
Ithaca Waldorf School
20 Nelson Road, Ithaca, NY
FREE for IWS families
Anxiety is a normal human emotion, yet it is increasingly being experienced by both youth and adults in overwhelming proportions, interfering with everyday functioning and meaningful wellbeing. This community conversation and learning experience will examine the root causes of escalating anxiety and provide practical skills for building familial resilience against the negative impacts of anxiety. Integrating perspective and practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), we will - hand in hand - look bravely at our own avoidance of uncomfortable feelings and build familial language and practices for facing - and even embracing - distress. For my family and for yours, these practices make room for us to derive greater fulfillment out of the messy, unpredictable journey of life.
Megan McCormick, PhD
Dr. McCormick is a child clinical psychologist, Associate Professor of Medicine, and the Co-Founder and Director of Programs for the Center for Wellbeing in School Environments (WISE) at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. More importantly, she is the parent of Stonie, age 5, and Ren, age 2, both students in Waldorf's early childhood program. Dr. McCormick's career has centered on the development, implementation and research of multi-tiered, integrated and relationally-centered mental health programming in schools, specifically how trauma-informed training, consultation, and intervention can prevent, mitigate, and treat mental health challenges in educators and students, specifically in under-resourced and oppressed regions. WISE is a national leader in child and family mental health, partnering with schools and organizations worldwide to de-pathologize school-based challenges and promote relational health as a primary path to healing and success.