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Cooking Class

Confidence in the Kitchen:

A Therapeutic Cooking Group for Teens

Helping youth reduce anxiety, build social skills, and feel empowered—one recipe at a time.​​​

Is your teen struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, or social isolation? Do they find it difficult to manage emotions, build friendships, or feel confident in themselves?

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Confidence in the Kitchen is a 6-week therapeutic cooking group that blends hands-on learning with practical mental health tools to help youth build emotional resilience, meaningful peer connection, and real-world life skills—all through the fun and comfort of cooking.

 

This group provides a safe, engaging space where teens can gain new skills and confidence, reduce anxiety, and learn to cook healthier versions of their favorite comfort foods—like pizza, tacos, chicken nuggets, cookies, and more. 

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Led by Registered Clinical Counsellor Teresa DeReis, this group blends fun, interactive cooking sessions with evidence-based strategies to support youth mental and emotional well-being.​

a group of teens cooking together, looking comfortable and calm.jpg

Each session includes guided discussions and experiential learning to help teens:

  • 🌿 Develop emotion regulation skills and calming techniques

  • 🧠 Strengthen mental flexibility and stress-coping strategies

  • 💬 Practice social and communication skills in a safe environment

  • 🤝 Build peer connection and reduce feelings of isolation

  • 💪 Increase self-esteem and confidence through mastery and creativity

  • 🍽️ Learn practical cooking skills they’ll use for years to come

📍 Location: Prince George

🗓️ Schedule: Thursdays 4:30-6:30 pm | Oct 2 - Nov 6
🕓 Duration: Weekly for 6 weeks | 2 hours per session

👥 Ages: 13–16 

🎯 Best suited for: Youth experiencing anxiety, low mood, low confidence, social withdrawal, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty coping

💵 Cost: $275 for the full 6-week program (includes all supplies and ingredients). The cost may be reimbursed by your health insurance provider if they cover group counselling sessions with a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC). Please check with your coverage provider.

✅ Spots are limited to maintain small-group connection and individualized support.

 

📧 Questions? Contact Teresa DeReis at Validity Counselling: 

teresa@validitycounselling.org.​​

About the Facilitator

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Teresa DeReis is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and youth mental health specialist at Validity Counselling. With a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and an extensive background working with youth experiencing anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, and low self-esteem, Teresa brings a warm, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach to her work. She is passionate about helping youth build confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections—both in therapy and through creative, hands-on programs like Confidence in the Kitchen.

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