institute for girls development – Illuminated Education

Stand Up! Speak Out!® Curriculum Training: Empowering Friendship & Conflict Resolution Skills – June 22-23, 2023

For professionals empowering girls, children and teens to navigate friendships. Program is based on the Stand Up! Speak Out!® curriculum being implemented in many schools and after-school programs and will be informative for Psychologists and other mental health providers. Presenters: Melissa Johnson, PhD and Vicki Chiang, PsyD. CE units: 12.0 When: June 22 – 23, 2023 (Thursday and Friday) Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm (Sign in and light breakfast 8:30 – 9:00) Location: Institute for Girls’ Development, 95 N. Marengo Ave, Suite 100, Pasadena, CA Please go to the Institute for Girls’ Development website for more description of this program. Course Level: Intermediate. This course will be useful for Psychologists and other mental health professionals as well as school counselors, school psychologists, educators and those who lead programming for girls. Learning Modalities: Attendees learn through demonstrations, videos, breakout sessions, presentations, and experiential activities. All participants receive a training packet with resources.…

Gaps and Gains – July 30, 2021

Understand the Social, Emotional and Academic Setbacks and Gifts (Yes, Gifts!) of the Covid-19 Year with Clinical Implication. How has the last unprecedented year and a half affected our children and teens? During this pandemic season, youth have experienced loss, trauma, racial justice concerns, excessive screen time, upended routines, and isolation. They’ve also experienced less frenzied schedules, perhaps developed some new skills and interests, and experienced different kinds of family time (for better or worse). The Covid-19 year has changed children’s lives in so many ways. While the long-term developmental impact of navigating this global pandemic is yet to be known, we’ll have a chance to look together at the latest research, survey data and anecdotal accounts of suffering and resilience. We’ll discuss relevant clinical considerations, interventions and applicable activities through a decolonizing lens. Date: Friday, July 30, 2021 Time: 9am to 11am CE Units: 2.0 Overview: Topics addressed include…

Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Youth: Clinical Tools for Working with Youth Across the Gender Spectrum – August 13, 2021

Presenter: Caroline Carter, PsyD This generation of youth are profoundly expanding our understanding of the possibilities available for gender identity and expression. In light of this, many clinicians who work with youth, despite their specializations, may find themselves working with a young client who holds a transgender or gender nonbinary (TGNB) identity and/or expression. This training will focus on providing practitioners with a deeper conceptual understanding of TGNB youth. When: August 13, 2021 Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am Location: This professional training session is a live, interactive webinar. We will send you the link to join the session after your register. The program is presented in conjunction with the Institute for Girls’ Development, Pasadena, CA who will send the link and manage registration. CE units: 2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION This generation of youth are profoundly expanding our understanding of the possibilities available for gender identity and expression. In light of this,…

Expressive Art Therapy: Explore the Healing Power of the Arts August 6, 2021

Presenter: Sushi Frausto, LMFT The Creative Arts have historically been a way for humanity to express, discover, grow and connect. Combined with therapeutic and educational theories, the arts can wield powers of true transformation. Expressive Art Therapy brings together various theoretical approaches and combines them with the artistic process to create spaces for healing and growth. In this course, we will discuss ways to make art safe and approachable, learn how to use various art modalities to foster development, and discover ways to incorporate the arts into the approaches you are already using. But let’s not just talk! Come ready to experience the arts for yourself as we enjoy practicing interventions you can use for yourself and those you support. When: August 6, 2021 Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am Location: This professional training session is a live, interactive webinar. We will send you the link to join the session after…

Toward Antiracism and Liberation in Your Clinical Work – April 13 and May 11, 2021

Presenter: Parisa Emam, LMFT When: April 13 and May 11, 2021 (2 Tuesdays) Time: noon – 1:30pm Location: These professional training sessions are in the form of a live, interactive webinar. We will send you the link to join the session after your register. The program is presented in conjunction with the Institute for Girls’ Development, Pasadena, CA who will send the link and manage registration. CE units: 3.0 — you must attend both sessions in full to obtain CE credit. No partial credit can be given. GENERAL DESCRIPTION This 2-part training combines lecture and experiential activity to identify how mental health clinicians can adopt an antiracist stance in their work. Drawing from research and theory related to self-of-the-therapist identity, antiracism, and microaggressions, this training offers strategies clinicians can use to begin unlearning white-centric ways of practicing mental health therapy. Clinicians will strengthen their ability to identify, respond to, and…

Effective and Compassionate Clinical Work for Gender-Expansive Children, Teens and Families – February through April, 2021

Note: This course will be repeated in September-November, 2021 and is presented in connection with the Institute for Girls’ Development, Pasadena, CA. Presenter: Susan P. Landon, LMFT This generation of youth is profoundly expanding our understanding of the possibilities available for gender identity and expression. In light of this, many clinicians who work with youth, despite their specializations, may find themselves working with a young client who holds a transgender or gender nonbinary (TGNB) identity and/or expression. Many of us have little training or experience working with these children, teens or their families. These presenters have many years of experience working to understand and help us understand the challenges faced by transgendered and non-binary people and their families. Ms. Landon has been working with gender expansive youth and their families – particularly children (ages 3 and older) – for many years. She will be providing training on working with both…

Dr. Vicki Chiang

Vicki Chiang, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist (PSY 21136) Clinical Director – Child and Adolescent Specialty Practice Clinical Supervisor for Postdoctoral Fellows I am passionate about helping my clients develop the skills they need to manage life’s many transitions and stressors by providing a safe and judgment free space to process and learn. At the Institute, I specialize in working with parents, girls and women. I love empowering parents to find solutions that work in their homes and supporting them to better manage the many challenges modern-day parenting can bring. I also enjoy working with women who need additional support balancing self-care with the many other roles they may carry (as partners, mothers, and members of the workforce). I also have a deep passion for helping girls and women navigate cultural expectations and building their self-confidence to withstand those messages. I use a relational and skills-based approach mixed with a dash of humor…

Dr. Melissa J. Johnson

Melissa Johnson, PhD, licensed psychologist (PSY 13102), is the founder & CEO of the Institute for Girls’ Development in Pasadena, CA. An expert on child and teen development with a Masters in Education and Doctorate in Counseling Psychology, Dr. Johnson has worked with children and teens for over 35 years, providing empowerment opportunities for individuals, groups and communities. At the Institute, Dr. Johnson and her team deliver strength-based therapy, inspiring educational programs, and consultation with schools and districts to help create positive school climates. Dr. Johnson’s approach to raising and mentoring girls draws together contemporary research in neuroscience, mind/body health, and evidence based interventions in mindfulness and social and emotional intelligence. The book Stand Up! Speak Out!™ Empowering Skills for Girls’ Friendships: The Essential Guide for Educators and Others Who Work with Girls is now available to provide practical tools for those who mentor girls. Dr. Johnson has been recognized…

With the Institute for Girls’ Development

Gaps and Gains – July 30, 2021 — Understand the Social, Emotional and Academic Setbacks and Gifts (Yes, Gifts!) of the Covid-19 Year with Clinical Implication. Expressive Art Therapy: Explore the Healing Power of the Arts – August 6, 2021 Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Youth: Clinical Tools for Working with Youth Across the Gender Spectrum – August 13, 2021 Effective and Compassionate Clinical Work for Gender-Expansive Children, Teens and Families – September-November, 2021

MINDFULNESS TOOLS: HELPING CHILDREN AND TEENS STRESS LESS AND CONNECT MORE – July 20, 2019

Come discover creative, fun and meaningful tools for incorporating mindfulness into everyday activities with children and teens! For mental health professionals, educators, and youth program leaders. Learn creative, fun and meaningful tools and exercises to support the effective use of mindfulness in school, after school, and in therapy. Presenter: Dr. Melissa Johnson When: Saturday, July 20, 2019, 9:30am – 3:30pm (Sign in and light breakfast 9:00 – 9:30) Exciting current research in the fields of psychology, education, and neuroscience indicate that mindfulness practices can help children and teens improve attention and focus, manage stress, enjoy more positive relationships, and increase optimism! Whether you work in an educational or clinical setting or an after-school program, mindfulness tools can be an asset to the youth with whom you work. This presentation will provide participants with current research, practical tools, and experiential exercises to support the effective use of mindfulness with children and…