Learning through experience
Teenagers should be active participants rather than passive listeners.
Youth Development Workshops
Built Different — Core Edition
Build Confidence. Develop Character. Find Your Direction.
An inclusive, nonreligious personal development experience for participants of all backgrounds.
Registration not yet open — join the waitlist
Overview
Built Different: Core Edition
Growing up isn’t always easy. Between school, friendships, social expectations, family responsibilities, and questions about the future, teenagers face pressures that can be difficult to navigate.
What does confidence actually mean? How do you build genuine friendships? How do you manage anger, stress, and difficult emotions? How do you develop discipline, responsibility, and a sense of purpose?
Built Different: Core Edition is a four-session, psychology-informed personal development program designed to help teenage boys explore these questions through meaningful conversations, interactive activities, practical skills, and real-life challenges.
Participants learn by doing—not by sitting through long lectures. The program provides opportunities to build self-awareness, practise communication, reflect on personal values, and develop skills they can use at school, at home, and in their relationships.
This edition focuses on
- Social connection and belonging.
- Friendship and healthy relationships.
- Identity development.
- Personal values and purpose.
- Confidence and self-esteem.
- Character and responsibility.
- Healthy masculinity.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Self-regulation.
- Self-discipline.
- Leadership and communication.
- Goal setting and intentional living.
It does not include religious instruction.
What makes Built Different different?
- Highly interactive and engaging.
- Psychology-informed.
- Practical, real-world learning.
- Small-group environment.
- Focused on healthy character development.
- Encourages reflection without forced disclosure.
- Designed for teenagers, not adults.
- Emphasizes growth rather than perfection.
Four sessions
The sessions
Four interactive sessions, about two hours each. Open a session to see its topics, activities and intended outcomes.
01Session 1Connection, Friendship & BelongingFinding Your People.
Everyone wants to feel accepted, understood, and connected.
Yet many teenagers experience loneliness, social pressure, uncertainty about friendships, or difficulty finding a place where they feel they truly belong.
This session explores what belonging means, why meaningful relationships matter, and how young people can build healthier, more supportive connections.
Participants explore the difference between fitting in and genuinely belonging. They also examine the qualities of healthy friendships, including respect, trust, empathy, inclusion, and communication.
Key topics
- What does belonging mean?
- Why do we need connection?
- Fitting in versus being accepted.
- Friendship and peer influence.
- Healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Empathy and perspective-taking.
- Trust, respect, and boundaries.
- Supporting others.
- Building a positive community.
Interactive activities
- Common Ground Challenge Participants discover shared experiences and interests through structured group exercises.
- Four Elements of Belonging Explore what it means to feel seen, accepted, included, and supported.
- Friendship Scenarios Small groups respond to realistic situations involving peer pressure, exclusion, disagreements, and trust.
- Group Code Participants collaborate on guidelines for creating a respectful and supportive environment.
Intended learning outcomes
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Reflect on what belonging means to them.
- Identify qualities of healthy friendships.
- Practise empathy and communication.
- Recognize the importance of respect and inclusion.
- Explore ways to strengthen their social connections.
02Session 2Identity, Values & PurposeWho Are You Becoming?
Adolescence is a period of discovering who we are and what matters to us.
Teenagers often face expectations from parents, friends, school, social media, and society.
This session helps participants explore their identities, values, strengths, interests, and future aspirations.
Instead of simply asking what they want to do when they grow up, participants are encouraged to ask who they want to become.
The session explores how personal values can guide decisions, relationships, goals, and daily behaviour.
Key topics
- Who am I?
- Identity and self-discovery.
- Personal strengths and interests.
- Values and priorities.
- Social expectations.
- Comparison and self-esteem.
- Dreams and aspirations.
- Purpose and meaningful goals.
- Intentional decision-making.
Interactive activities
- Identity Iceberg Participants explore the visible and less visible parts of identity.
- Four Corners Debate Participants consider different perspectives on success, happiness, popularity, and purpose.
- Values Auction Participants choose among competing life priorities to explore what matters most to them.
- Future Me Participants imagine the person they hope to become in five years.
- Purpose Challenge Participants explore how small daily decisions connect to long-term goals.
Intended learning outcomes
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Develop greater awareness of their identities.
- Identify important personal values.
- Explore the influence of social expectations.
- Reflect on meaningful goals.
- Consider practical steps toward becoming the people they want to be.
03Session 3Character, Confidence & LeadershipWhat Does It Really Mean to Be a Man?
Young boys receive many messages about masculinity.
Some suggest that being a man means being physically strong, emotionally unaffected, wealthy, dominant, or constantly successful.
This session encourages participants to critically examine these expectations and explore a healthier, more meaningful understanding of manhood.
Participants discuss how confidence differs from arrogance, how courage can coexist with vulnerability, and why responsibility, respect, compassion, and emotional maturity are important parts of character.
Through real-life scenarios, participants practise making decisions that reflect their values rather than simply responding to peer pressure.
Key topics
- Masculinity and social expectations.
- Confidence versus arrogance.
- Courage and vulnerability.
- Responsibility and accountability.
- Honesty and integrity.
- Respect and compassion.
- Leadership through example.
- Emotional maturity.
- Healthy communication.
- Handling mistakes and learning from them.
Interactive activities
- What Makes a Man? Participants examine common messages about masculinity.
- Leadership Dilemmas Groups discuss challenging situations involving honesty, peer pressure, conflict, and responsibility.
- Confidence Versus Arrogance Participants compare behaviours and explore how confidence can be expressed respectfully.
- Role-Playing Participants practise responding to conflict, criticism, disappointment, and difficult conversations.
- Character Challenge Each participant chooses one quality to practise during the following week.
Intended learning outcomes
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Question unhelpful stereotypes about masculinity.
- Identify character qualities they value.
- Practise responsible decision-making.
- Explore healthy ways to express emotions.
- Understand how everyday choices shape personal character.
04Session 4Self-Mastery & Emotional ResilienceBecoming Your Own Leader.
Growing up means learning how to respond to difficult situations, manage emotions, develop healthy habits, and take responsibility for personal choices.
This session introduces practical psychological skills that can help participants understand their emotions, recognize unhelpful patterns, manage impulses, and work toward meaningful goals.
Participants explore the difference between experiencing an emotion and acting on it.
They learn that self-discipline is not about perfection or suppressing emotions. It is about developing awareness, flexibility, and the ability to make intentional decisions.
Key topics
- Understanding emotions.
- The relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
- Managing anger and frustration.
- Emotional regulation.
- Impulse control.
- Self-discipline.
- Procrastination and habits.
- Self-compassion.
- Accountability.
- Building consistency.
Interactive activities
- The Two Voices Exercise Explore the difference between immediate impulses and long-term goals.
- STOP Skill Practise pausing before reacting.
- Real-Life Scenarios Work through situations involving anger, conflict, distractions, and peer pressure.
- Habit Challenge Identify one small behaviour to practise consistently.
- Seven-Day Growth Plan Develop a realistic personal action plan.
Intended learning outcomes
Participants will have opportunities to:
- Improve awareness of emotional responses.
- Practise basic emotional regulation strategies.
- Explore healthier responses to frustration.
- Recognize the role of habits and consistency.
- Develop a practical personal growth plan.
Learning approach
How the workshops work
Built Different is not a traditional classroom lecture.
It is designed as an active, engaging, supportive environment where participants learn through conversation, collaboration, games, challenges, role-playing, personal reflection, and practical exercises.
The goal is not to tell teenagers exactly who they should become. It is to help them develop the awareness, skills, values, and confidence to make thoughtful choices about the people they want to be.
The program does not promote rigid stereotypes about masculinity. It presents strength as something that can include kindness, emotional honesty, self-control, accountability, courage, and seeking support when needed.
Connection before instruction
Meaningful relationships and a supportive group environment create opportunities for learning.
Growth rather than perfection
The program encourages progress, reflection, and accountability rather than shame or unrealistic expectations.
Strength includes emotional maturity
Confidence, compassion, emotional expression, and responsibility are compatible qualities.
Practical skills for real life
Every session should provide ideas or skills participants can apply outside the workshop.
Respect for individuality
Participants come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, beliefs, and experiences.
No forced disclosure
Participants should never be pressured to reveal private experiences, religious doubts, trauma, or personal family difficulties.
Age-appropriate delivery
Activities and discussions must be suitable for the developmental stage of the group.
Format and pricing
Who it’s for and how it runs
Registration not yet open — join the waitlist
- Who it’s for
- Teenage boys ages 14–19, organized into developmentally appropriate age groups.
- Initial group
- Approximately 16–17 years old.
- Format
- Four interactive sessions per edition, approximately two hours each.
- Total program
- Eight hours.
- Group size
- 8–12 participants.
- Delivery
- Primarily in person.
- Location
- To be announced.
- Dates
- To be announced.
ONE SESSION
Single Workshop Session
$50 CAD$50 CAD per participant per session
Approximately two hours. Available when individual-session registration is enabled.
before any applicable taxesFULL PROGRAM
Complete Four-Session Program
$200 CAD$200 CAD for the complete four-session program (eight hours)
Four sessions. Eight total hours of programming.
before any applicable taxesWaitlist Free. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee a place or create a payment obligation.
Facilitator
Khaled Albanna
Built Different is developed and facilitated by Khaled Albanna, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) in Ontario with academic training in psychology and counselling.
His approach combines psychological education, practical skills, meaningful conversation, and experiential learning.
The workshops are designed to encourage young people to explore their identities, reflect on their values, develop emotional awareness, and strengthen their relationships.
His facilitation style emphasizes empathy, curiosity, respect, active participation, and a supportive environment where young people can learn without feeling judged.
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
University of GranadaCompleting a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Yorkville University
University of GranadaCompleting a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Yorkville University
More about Khaled
I’m Khaled Albanna, a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). I work with people navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, self-doubt, and the uncertainty that can come with change. My aim is to offer a space where you feel understood, respected, and able to be yourself.
My clinical background includes community-based practicum experience with Camino Wellbeing and Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region, as well as counselling experience at Serene Heart Counselling and Psychotherapy. My experience includes supporting people facing addiction and emotional difficulties, and working with refugees and newcomers as they navigate adjustment, stress, identity, and belonging.
Having lived across cultures, I value the experiences and identities that shape each person’s story. I offer counselling in English, Arabic, and Spanish, and welcome conversations about spirituality, faith, meaning, and values when these are important to you.
My style is warm, collaborative, and grounded in listening. Together, we can explore what’s happening, make room for difficult feelings, and develop practical ways to move toward the life you want.
A FEW THINGS YOU MAY BE WONDERING
Questions?
Let’s clear things up.
What is Built Different?
Built Different is an interactive, psychology-informed personal development workshop for teenage boys focused on confidence, identity, relationships, character, emotional awareness, and purpose.
What is the difference between the two editions?
The Core Edition is nonreligious and open to teens from all backgrounds. The Muslim Edition integrates Islamic values, teachings, and examples with the program’s developmental themes.
What age group is the program designed for?
The program is designed for ages 14–19, with participants grouped by age and developmental stage.
How long is the program?
Four sessions, approximately two hours each.
How much does it cost?
$50 CAD per session or $200 CAD for the complete four-session program, before any applicable taxes.
Is this therapy?
No. Built Different is a psychoeducational youth development workshop, not individual or group psychotherapy.
Does my teen need to be experiencing difficulties to attend?
No. The workshop is intended for personal development and skill-building, not only for teens experiencing challenges.
Does the Core Edition include religion?
No. The Core Edition is nonreligious.
Can parents register their children?
Yes. Parents or guardians can register minors through the appropriate registration process.
Where are workshops held?
Locations will be announced when cohorts are scheduled.
Can we join just one session?
Individual-session registration may be available depending on the cohort. Some groups may require full-program enrolment.
Is joining the waitlist free?
Yes. The waitlist is free and does not guarantee a reserved place.
Can a school or organization book a private workshop?
Yes. Organizations can submit an inquiry to discuss group workshops and customized delivery.
Built Different: Core Edition
Help Your Teen Build Confidence, Character & Direction.
Join the Core Edition WaitlistRequest a Group WorkshopFor schools and organizations
Bring Built Different to Your Community
Built Different can be delivered in partnership with schools, community centres, mosques, Islamic schools, and youth organizations.
Whether you’re looking for a complete four-session series or a focused workshop on confidence, identity, character, emotional resilience, or purpose, the program can be adapted to the needs of your group.
- Core Edition
- Muslim Edition
- Complete program
- Individual workshop
- Customized group inquiry
Organization pricing is quoted separately.
Request a Group WorkshopBuilt Different: Core Edition is a psychoeducational personal development program, not psychotherapy or a substitute for individual mental health treatment.