Chillax - Anxiety Program

12/03/2026

Every week, counsellors and psychologists across New Zealand are having to turn away families seeking support for their children and teenagers, as waiting lists continue to grow.

One of the most common concerns within our communities is anxiety. To help ease the pressure on the system, Clinical Psychologist Tanzi Bennison has developed an eight-week course focused on understanding and effectively managing anxiety.

The programme can be delivered effectively through schools, in group settings. Tanzi has created a training video to support teachers in delivering the programme with ease.

There is also a parent video available to be purchased to help parents better understand anxiety.

If you would like to learn more about the programme or have any questions, please feel free to visit https://www.chillax.org.nz or get in touch with us by emailing ChillaxNZ@outlook.com

Welcome to Chillax. We offer School-based group sessions that teach anxiety management strategies for children and young adults. Designed to support young people aged 8+ develop skills and strategies to manage anxiety.

24/06/2024

As part of the Chillax program, young people learn ways to build confidence in dealing with anxiety. One of the tried-and-tested tools for this is the art of gratitude. Being thankful teaches our brain to redirect our thoughts to something outside of ourselves, which can give us a greater sense of peace.

If you are a teacher, educator, counsellor, therapist or parent and would like to know more about Chillax, feel free to contact us by emailing chillaxnz@outlook.com

17/06/2024

At Chillax we love to hear how the program helps young people build confidence. Anxiety can hold us back from what we love. Learning the tools to breath and know that those nervous feelings are normal can help us push through and achieve great things!

12/06/2024

A beautiful image of what it is to help our young people navigate the rain.

I can't stop the rain.

But I will hold the umbrella.

Even as my children get older,
taller,
and closer to grown.

Even as I know life is both.
Sunshine and rain.
Immense joy and immense hard.

I can't stop the rain.

Despite giving it my all.
Despite deeply cherishing.
Despite loving unconditionally.

The rain comes.
In aches. In grief. In uncertainty. In trials.

I can't stop the rain.

And I'm not meant to.

Because I know it's on me
to protect them from life's storms,
but to also give them the skills to navigate the waters.
To guard them from the floods,
but to also understand some rain is needed for growth.

It's a sacred dance we do as their mothers.

It's a back-and-forth rhythm of shielding,
while trying to grow their independence.
It's trying to raise them to be ready and capable,
while still protecting and nurturing.
It's holding on,
while gently letting go.

I can't stop the rain.

And it's my job to teach them to maneuver through it.

But for as long as I'm able,

I will hold the umbrella.

Because while I can't stop the rain,
I can give them the gift of knowing
that whatever they're going through,
if the storm becomes too much,
there is someone who will stand beside them

and hold the umbrella.

(words You Are Loved - Emily Roussell)

10/06/2024

Do you know that there are so many good books that have been written for young people about anxiety? As part of the Chillax Program, we provide facilitators with an extensive list of reading materials that they can use to add to the session content. One of our favourites is the book Hey Warrior by Karen Young - Hey Sigmund . Hey Warrior has beautiful graphics and is a book that helps kids understand why anxiety feels the way it does and where the physical symptoms come from. This is all important in helping young people feel empowered when it comes to these big, confusing feelings.

05/06/2024

Don't be hard on yourself. Doing what is best for our young people is not always easy and we don't always have the knowledge or tools to get it right. Just do your best and when you learn a better way do what you can to make changes. You won't regret it.

03/06/2024

One of the most difficult things as a parent is to watch helplessly as our children try to navigate big emotions. Sudden bursts of anger, sadness and crippling fear can leave us unsure what to do.

Clinical psychologist Tanzi Bennison understands these struggles. Each week she has had to turn families away from her practice as her books are full. To help alleviate some of this pressure, Tanzi has created a parent video. This 70-minute video helps parents to understand some of these big emotions that their children are experiencing and give them more tools in their parenting toolbelt. If you are interested in finding out more about the Chillax Parenting video, feel free to contact us on chillaxnz@outlook.com or visit our website.

29/05/2024

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26/05/2024

It's so easy today to isolate ourselves. The increased access to technology means we can easily find ourselves reaching for our phone rather than the sometimes awkwardness of human connection and our young people are no exception.

There are many programs that are aimed to help better understand anxiety and learn habits but many of these are self paced, online platforms. While this is not a bad thing, the beauty of the Chillax Program is that it understands the importance of community for our wellbeing. Young people take time during the sessions to share their own experiences which helps them understand that they are not alone when some of their big and confusing emotions are at play.

If you are interested in learning more about Chillax visit www.chillax.org.nz or email us at chillaxnz@outlook.nz.

22/05/2024

Its so easy to get caught up in the emotion of our little people, especially when our own emotions may be overwhelming. Instead, we need to learn to find our calm in the chaos.

19/05/2024

Feeling stressed? Try taking a breath. Not a short shallow breath, but a deep feel it in your belly breath. Slow and focused. Breathing right has the ability of calming down those stress hormones that leaves you feeling jittery and on edge.

Each of the 8 Chillax sessions has intentional exercises like breathing techniques aimed at helping young people learn key tools that will help their mind and body learn to relax when they find themselves feeling anxious.

To find out more about how the Chillax program can be used in your school, practice or even at home, visit our website at www.chillax.org.nz or email chillaxnz@outlook.com.