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| Mission |
Girls face incredible opportunities and challenges as they grow. They are full of questions about who they are, who they will become, and how they are changing. They seek answers within themselves, from their relationships, and from their communities.
Here at the Institute for Girls' Development, we are dedicated to empowering girls and young women through:
Self-discoveryHardiness skills
Growth fostering relationships
Embodiment |
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Our Services |
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We offer caring, comprehensive, and innovative programs and services for girls, their families, and their circles of community.
Individual Therapy
Family, Parenting, & Couple Therapy
Groups for Girls & Young Women
Parents Finding Solutions Groups & Workshops
Psychological Assessment
Summer Workshop Programs
Community Education & Consultation
Presentations & Trainings |
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More About Our Groups |
Along with individual, family, couple, and parent therapy, we offer an extensive group program for children, teens, and adults.
Tools for Teens Groups
For girls ages 12 - 18 Bringing body and mind together to support the whole girl. Skills learned include: Self-awareness and managing feelings, positive mindset, movement and gentle exercise like yoga, navigating girls' social world, healthy body image and stress management.
For children and teens Promoting self-esteem, relational confidence and positive body image through dialogue, art, media literacy, and other activities. A journey of self-discovery in an environment of support, respect, and mutual learning.
Process Groups
For children, teens, and young adults Our process groups provide the opportunity to identify important issues and grow and heal with the benefit of peer group interaction.
Social Competency Skills Groups
For children and teens These groups are ideal for girls who will benefit from specific and focused social skill-building. We integrate complementary skills in the areas of relaxation, self-calming, positive mindset, and self-care.
For women ages 17 - 30 An exploration of self-discovery and empowerment, our young women's groups foster authentic relationships and skills for living real.
Parents Finding Solutions Groups and Workshops
Groups provide information, resources and support for effective, loving, and mindful parenting. |
| Institute Team |
Melissa Johnson, Ph.D.
(PSY 13102)President & Founder
Clinical Psychologist Monica Valdivia Aguilar, MA, MFT
(MFC 41352)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Lisa Blum, Psy.D.
(PSY 19790) Clinical Psychologist
Vicki Chiang, Psy.D.
(PSY 21136)Clinical PsychologistRobin Starkey Harpster, MA, MFT
(MFC 41937)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Kayte Heslet, MS
(IMF 57747)Marriage & Family Therapy Intern
Joy Malek, MS
(MFC 47098)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist |
| Contact Us |
95 N. Marengo Ave., Ste. 205
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 585-8075
InstituteForGirlsDevelopment.com
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| institute news |
May/June 2009 |
Greetings!
Welcome to our expanded and paperless Institute News - chock full of empowering resources, information, and support for families, girls, and those who care about them! We've been providing this newsletter to our community since 2005 and believe our new format - with sections for parents, girls and others - will come in handy as you and the young people you care about navigate life in these interesting times. Please feel free to forward this resource to others. Economic Worries? This issue is all about ways you and your children can build resilience during these tough times. Our feature article is: Stay in Your Body! And Other Great Hardiness Tips for Tough Economic Times. Learn about tapping into resourcefulness, creativity, and ways to de-stress plus great tools to consider when talking to your children about financial challenges. Be Money Savvy is our "Teen Link" this issue - girls can link to our website where they'll find lots of fun, growth-fostering activities, including resources for financial mindfulness and literacy. Summer Workshop Program information and links are included for our Mind Body Spirit Adventures (for 3rd-8th grade girls) and for our high school program Steppin' Up Adventures. Warmly,
Melissa J. Johnson, Ph.D.
Founder & President, Clinical Psychologist (PSY13102)
Institute for Girls' Development, A Psychological Corporation
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Stay in Your Body!
And Other Great Hardiness Tips for Tough Economic Times
By Melissa Johnson, Ph.D.,
President & Founder, Institute for Girls' Development.
Clinical Psychologist (PSY13102)
Copyright © 2009, Institute for Girls' Development
When we listen to children, we hear about their worries. The monster under the bed. The mean kid at school. And now, the economy. News headlines are confusing - and scary. And then it hits home. "My favorite teacher got a pink slip." "Mom just lost her job." "Boy, my parents are sure fighting a lot... about money." What can we do to help our children and teens be hardy in times of upheaval?
 1. Do our own work. Have you ever noticed when we're stressed out and irritable, depressed or anxious or both... our kids are suddenly grumpier too? Or more withdrawn? It's what I call the "trickle down theory of stress and anxiety." Our children are so tuned in that they pick up cues we don't even know we're sending. Life is stressful AND we can take action to manage stress - to settle our minds and our bodies. Folk wisdom from the airline industry reminds us "put your own oxygen mask on first and then help your children." The best way to help our children manage stress is to be a calm, grounded presence. Explore stress-relieving strategies that engage your body. And breathe. Many relaxation and meditation traditions say the breath is like a bridge, bringing the body and mind together. Find what your body loves and do it. It may help you calm your mind as well.
2. Lead by example. OK, let's be real. Despite our best efforts, our nervous systems aren't always calm! We get stressed out, lose our tempers, say things we wish we hadn't. When you and your child are calm again, apologize. Let your child know you let your stress get to you but you're working on it. Invite your child to share what her or his body feels like when she or he is stressed. Does he feel it in his tummy? Does she feel tight in her muscles? Open the door for a conversation about stress and ways to cope with it.
3. Stay in Our Bodies. Pick one! Being in nature, vigorous exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing, hot baths. My Qigong teacher is often asked which practices are best. He says, "if you practice it, it is good for you; if you don't practice it, it isn't good for you." Find what you love. Then, do it! Help your child find the ones they love - and encourage them to do it! When you're stressed, do something to relax and calm together - at no cost. Take a walk or play a laughing game. Blow bubbles. Do a craft. Dance. Lie on the ground underneath a tree and breathe. Close your eyes and discover how many different sounds you can hear. Notice what it feels like to calm the nervous system.
For the complete article, click here.
To access more tips and resources on stress management and financial literacy, click here.
Disclaimer: PLEASE NOTE: Nothing in what you find here should be construed as medical advice pertinent to any individual. As is true with all written materials, and especially information found on the internet, you must be the judge of what appears valid and useful for yourself. Please take up any questions you might have regarding the content of this web site with your psychotherapist or physician. |
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 JUST FOR TEENS!
BE MONEY SAVVY
Money.... It buys us stuff. We can give it away to good causes. We can earn it doing interesting things. We can save it. We say "financial education is economic self-defense." Teens, click here for some cool info and resources about being money savvy. |
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Institute For Girls' Development
Summer Workshop Programs
Mind, Body, Spirit Adventures for the Whole Girl
3rd Grade - Middle School
Steppin' Up Adventures for High School Girls
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