

Helping Teens Cultivate Resilience and Self-Compassion
A six-week, in-person mindfulness workshop for teens 13-17, led by Noelle Wittliff, LMFT
Six Fridays / 4:00pm – 5:30pm: 4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6
Please note: no classes on 4/25 or 5/9
Village Home Education Resource Center
Beaverton, Oregon
Register by March 1 and save $50 with code EARLY50
13-year-olds are welcome to join either this teen program or Mindful Tweens PDX, based on their preference and comfort level.
Mindful Teens PDX welcomes teens of all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and neurodiverse experiences.
How can mindfulness help teens navigate life’s challenges with confidence and ease?
Adolescence is a unique time of change, possibility, and self-discovery. Mindfulness teacher Noelle Wittliff encourages teens to embrace their strengths while also teaching them simple strategies to reduce stress, increase emotional well-being, and explore identity and belonging with greater balance and authenticity.
This supportive and welcoming environment is designed to meet teens wherever they are on their journey, helping them develop lasting practices to foster resilience and self-compassion. No prior experience with mindfulness necessary—just an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Mindful Teens PDX is for teens who would like to…
‣ Learn mindfulness tools for managing stress
‣ Feel more grounded and engaged with life
‣ Approach thoughts and feelings with greater balance
‣ Build resilience in times of uncertainty
‣ Strengthen their ability to focus and stay present
‣ Relate to themselves with kindness and understanding
‣ Connect more authentically with others

Why Mindfulness and Self-Compassion?
Because these practices can transform how we approach life.
Mindfulness helps teens stay present and grounded. It enhances creativity, improves focus, and deepens awareness. By cultivating mindfulness, teens can learn to respond to challenges rather than react. It also empowers them to engage with others from a place of presence, empathy, authenticity, and intentionality, building stronger and more meaningful connections with themselves and others.
Self-Compassion fosters self-acceptance, emotional well-being, and a greater sense of optimism and joy. It teaches teens to treat themselves with kindness, especially in moments of confusion and struggle, rather than engaging in self-doubt or self-criticism. Self-compassion helps build resilience, allowing teens to bounce back from setbacks and see challenges as opportunities for growth. With self-compassion, teens can embrace their imperfections and develop a more positive, supportive relationship with themselves.
What Can Your Teen Expect?
In a warm and supportive small group setting, teens will explore mindfulness through guided meditation, gentle movement, engaging group discussions, and creative activities like painting, drawing, journaling, collage, and making friendship bracelets. These activities are designed to make learning mindfulness fun and approachable, offering teens a chance to express themselves while building new skills and practices.
Each session is designed to encourage self-reflection, foster meaningful connections with peers, and help teens develop tools they can use in their everyday lives. Whether they’re looking to better manage stress, improve focus, or strengthen relationships, this class provides a safe space for growth and learning.
A Note on Participation
In this class, all activities—whether it’s meditation, art, movement, or group discussions—are invitational and optional. Teens are encouraged to participate in ways that feel comfortable to them. Simply observing, listening, or watching is a valid form of participation and can still offer meaningful benefits. The focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment where each teen can engage in the program at their own pace and in their own way.
Appreciation from the Community
“After taking this class, I noticed I have more self-compassion. I liked connecting with other learners. I would recommend it to others because it was a good learning process.”
— Student, age 13, Beaverton, OR
“After taking the Mindful Teens class, I feel calm, present, and less reactive. I liked everything about the class, but the art activities were my favorite. I would definitely recommend this class to other teens. It was awesome!”
— JJ, age 14, Portland, OR
“My favorite part of class was the mindful eating and art. It was fun!”
— Brooks, age 14, Portland, OR
“We’ve noticed our teen is happier, more confident, and mindful. He really enjoyed the Mindful Teens class, we can tell. We consider this an invaluable service you are offering. Thank you, Noelle!”
— Joe & Margretta, parents of a 14 year old, Portland, OR
Meet Noelle

Noelle Wittliff, LMFT (she/her)
Noelle is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Licensed Family Therapist, and mom of two. With over 20 years of experience supporting kids, teens, and families, she brings a deep understanding of the challenges young people face today. Having grown up in both Asia and the U.S., Noelle draws on her diverse background and three decades of mindfulness practice to inform her work.
Her teaching style is warm, engaging, and relatable, and she’s passionate about making mindfulness and self-compassion practices accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Learn more about Noelle and her work with families:
Mindful Parenting: mindfulparenting.com and noellewittliff.com
Follow her work on Instagram: instagram.com/themindfulpath
Class Curriculum and Themes
Each class will include guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, discussion, sharing, and reflection. The six-week course will cover the following:
[1] Intro to Mindfulness and Present Moment Awareness: An exploration of mindfulness and how it can support a grounded approach to daily life. Simple practices such as mindful eating and mindful listening will be introduced to develop awareness and build a foundation for staying present in the moment.
[2] Mindfulness of Thoughts and Feelings: An opportunity to observe thoughts and emotions with kindness and curiosity instead of judgment or reactivity. Strategies will be provided to identify emotions such as anger, sadness, or anxiety and process them mindfully.
[3] Self-Compassion and Self-Care: A focus on developing the skill of self-kindness, especially during difficult moments. Small daily habits for mental and emotional health will be identified, along with an exploration of self-compassion and its role in strengthening optimism and joy.
[4] Building Resilience and Handling Stress: Practical strategies to maintain calm and steadiness when challenges arise. Grounding techniques will be practiced, and mindfulness will be used as a tool to navigate stress and setbacks with balance and ease.
[5] Mindful Relationships: An exploration of how mindfulness can enhance peer and family relationships. Activities will include practicing active listening, clear self-expression, and cultivating empathy to foster stronger, more meaningful connections.
[6] Mindfulness of Technology: An examination of the impact of technology on focus, emotions, and relationships. Habits around screens and social media will be reflected upon, with practical strategies provided for setting healthier boundaries. Learn how to use technology with greater intention while staying present and prioritizing what matters most.
Closing/Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life: We’ll spend the last part of our final class, exploring ways to integrate mindfulness into daily routines. We’ll discuss ways to deepen practice, maintain progress, and continue building awareness and balance long after the course ends.
A note to your teen.
I didn’t discover mindfulness until I was a young adult (22, to be exact), but I often think about how much it could have changed my experience as a teen. Learning these skills earlier would have given me tools to handle challenges, relate to myself with more compassion, and approach life in a more balanced way. That’s why I created this workshop—to share these practices with you now, so you can navigate life’s ups and downs with more ease and show up as your most authentic self.
I’m excited to support you on this journey of mindfulness and self-compassion. Mindful Teens PDX offers a safe and welcoming in-person space where you can connect with others, build confidence, and strengthen your resilience. You’ll learn simple, practical tools to manage stress, feel more grounded, and create balance—skills that can support you throughout your life.
If this feels like a good fit for you, I’d love to have you join us.
Kindly,
Noelle
Register for Mindful Teens PDX
To register for Mindful Teens PDX with Noelle Wittliff, please fill out the form below. Upon successful registration you’ll receive a confirmation email. No email? Please check your spam. If you still don’t see it, please email noelle@mindfulparenting.com.
Register by 3/1 and save $50 with code EARLY50.


Six Fridays: 4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6
Please note: no classes on 4/25 or 5/9
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
$300 / Student
Register by 3/1 and save $50 with code EARLY50
Limited to 12 Participants
Village Home Education Resource Center
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Refund & Cancellation Policy
The course fee of $300 per student covers the entire six-session program, regardless of the number of sessions attended. Individual sessions cannot be purchased separately.
If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us by March 15, 2025, to receive a full refund. Unfortunately, we are unable to issue refunds after this date.
Mindful Teens PDX begins on April 18, 2025.
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to supporting your teen on this journey!
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Please email Noelle at noelle@mindfulparenting.com with any questions.
