Many troubled teenagers and young adults struggle with low self-esteem, which can contribute to problem behaviour.
Thanks to spiritual counsellor Claire Nielsen approximately 50 teenagers and young adults from Prince George and Vanderhoof had a chance to "fall in love with themselves," at an all-day workshop on Sunday.
The workshop is based on a popular U.S. teen motivational program called Motivating the Teen Spirit.
"The idea is to teach kids to really check in with themselves and respond, rather than react, to their life," she said. "So many young people are very reactionary."
By taking the time to really understand their feelings and identify negative attitudes, teens become more conscious and conscientiously about their actions, she said.
Participants in the program ranged from 13 years old to 25 years old, she said. And although the program focuses on troubled teens, the message of self-confidence and integrity can be applied to anyone's lives, she said.
"When our community is having gangs come up because of the pressure in Vancouver... I see this as catching some of these kids before they get involved," she said. "I think it's the kind of thing we need to give kids."
Nielsen is hoping to turn the workshop into a biannual event to provide opportunities for more teens to take part.
"I wanted to bring this up here for my own teenagers," she said. "But I think I learned more than they did."
Participant Coulter Gould said the workshop empowered him and gave him the confidence to take a risk on his own business.
"It made me feel a bit more confident in myself and what I want to do," Gould said.
Natalya Hille said the workshop will change her approach to relationships.
"For me it was an eye-opener," Hille said. "It's changed a few things with my family -there is a few issues and I want to fix that."
Hille said it was, "an eye-opener," to learn that other teens feel the same way she does.
Anna Klose said she took away some methods for dealing with life challenges.
"I think I'll use some of the tools they talked about," Klose said.
For more information about Motivating the Teen Spirit, go online to www.motivatingtheteenspirit.com.
