Melissa Johnson, Ph.D., psychologist (PSY 13102), is founder and President of the Institute for Girls' Development. She works on the individual, interpersonal, and community levels to support girls. She is an expert on girls' development. Through the Institute, Dr. Johnson has developed an exciting concept in the Summer Workshop Programs. The curriculum for both programs draws from the cutting edge research and theory on girls and on Dr. Johnson's years of experience to promote self-discovery, hardiness skills, and empowerment in a growth-fostering and relationship-oriented environment. Dr. Johnson is former Chair of the Masters Programs in Counseling at the University of La Verne and has served as an adjunct faculty member at both the University of La Verne and the University of Southern California. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Girls' Resource Network, a community non-profit she helped establish to support the adults in the community who work to empower girls.
Dr. Johnson is a popular public speaker, combining her passion for girls' issues with her experience as a clinician, educator and university professor. She is frequently invited to speak to parents, educators, community program providers, girls and others on a range of topics. Dr. Johnson is a welcomed speaker at regional and national professional meetings. Her peer-reviewed publications have appeared in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.
Robin Starkey Harpster, M.A. (MFC 41937) Our Summer Program Co-Coordinator, Robin brings her amazing creativity, warmth, organizational skills, and knowledge of girls' development to position as Coordinator of the Summer Workshop Programs. Robin has been working with children, adolescents, and their families since 1996. Her inspiration to work with girls first led her to a position at Girls Incorporated of Greater Santa Barbara. For over two years, she has shared her experience and passion with the Institute for Girls' Development where she provides individual and family therapy with children, teens and young adults, as well as conducting weekly groups for girls 2nd grade through 6th grade. In addition, Robin is a popular speaker, presenting workshops for girls in schools and for other after-school programs like Girl Scouts and the YWCA. Robin enjoys helping girls develop friendship skills & empowering relationships; discover their unique gifts and skills; and find their own path of self-discovery.
Monica Valdivia, M.A. (MFC 41352) Our Summer Program Co-Coordinator, Monica has been working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families since 1999. Monica started her work in family counseling agencies where she discovered her passion for empowering girls and young women. She brings that passion to the Institute for Girls' Development where she provides individual and family therapy for children, teens, young adults and their families. In addition, Monica facilitates weekly groups for girls 2nd grade through high school. Her workshops in schools focus on helping girls develop healthy relationships as they navigate their way through their social world. Monica enjoys helping girls reconnect to their inner self. Bilingual in Spanish & English, Monica is committed to helping girls honor their cultural backgrounds and diversity.
Vicki Chiang, Psy.D. (PSY21136) brings enthusiasm, passion and dedication to The Institute for Girls' Development. In her community work, Dr. Chiang helps girls, teens and young women learn healthy and adaptive coping skills, and develop positive and nurturing relationships. Since 1999 Dr. Chiang has been a volunteer at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and has worked as a camp counselor and director of volunteer staff. Dr. Chiang utilizes arts and crafts, the great outdoors, games and team building initiatives to cultivate not just fun but powerful learning experiences for children and teens. In her clinical work, Dr. Chiang helps children, teens and families develop self confidence, empowerment and healthy self expression through individual, group and family therapy with services provided in English and/or Mandarin. Dr. Chiang has expertise in working with immigrant families and is passionate about fostering skills to help immigrant families face the challenges of negotiating acculturation, bicultural identities and cross-generation communication. Dr. Chiang received her doctorate in psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology - Alliant International University.
Linda Duong brings enthusiasm and creativity to her work as Assistant Coordinator of the Institute's Summer Workshop Programs. Linda received her BA in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2005. Currently, Linda is working on a Master's degree in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University, and looks forward to working with adolescent girls and young women. Here at the Institute, Linda also co-facilitates the Tools for Teens group. She has worked with several non-profit organizations focusing on adolescents, medically ill children, and the underserved. She speaks several languages, including Vietnamese and French & values working with children from diverse backgrounds.
Kayte Heslet, M.S. (IMF 57747), our Assistant Coordinator of the Summer Workshop Programs, received her BS in psychology from the University of La Verne in January 2006, after conducting an extensive research thesis examining gender and young people's social behavior/networks on the Internet. Currently, Kayte is completing her MS in psychology at Cal Poly Pomona, and plans to go on to work with families in the therapeutic setting. Along with her work in the 2006 Summer Workshop Program, she has spent many years volunteering and mentoring other girls, and tutoring in her community.
Joy Malek, M.S. (IMF 45388) Joy's work with girls and their families centers around her commitment to empowering children, teens and young women to utilize their personal strengths to grow through difficult periods and flourish. In group work, Joy promotes self-expression, peer support, and relational skills through art and dialogue. Along with her work at the Institute, Joy is involved in youth leadership in the community, promoting confidence, awareness, and options among children and teens. She is an experienced, engaging and knowledgeable public speaker.
Copyright © 2006 by the Institute For Girls' Development, A Psychological Corporation.
