Every behavior is trying to say something. Let's help your child find the words instead.
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What is Speak Up & Stay S.T.R.O.N.G™?
Speak Up & Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is built on decades of research showing that healthy communication skills are strongly associated with what parents and caregivers want most for their children: resilience, self-confidence, positive peer relationships, emotional well-being, and long-term life success.

To communicate well, children need to balance three goals:
  • Getting their needs met
  • Keeping relationships positive
  • Maintaining self-respect

The problem is that most children (or adults) are never explicitly taught the skills to accomplish these goals at the same time. 

​The Solution
What every individual needs is communication that balances their feelings and rights with the feelings and rights of the other person. In other words, healthy communication says, "I matter, and you matter." Children can learn this early, preserving both connection to others and respect for themselves.

"Problems in relationships are at the heart of most people's suffering." - Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.
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​Many people are unaware that this skill is an integral part of many evidence-based mental health interventions. With Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G., you don't have to wait to give them the skills to protect themselves - and their relationships.

Don't wait until the teen years.
  • Communication habits begin much earlier.
  • Parents and caregivers have more influence now.
  • You can influence your child's trajectory before the increased pressure of adolescence.​
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The true innovation of Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is the fact that it  empowers you right along with your children, leading to greater skill generalization and overall effectiveness.

Due to their age and level of development, your child needs an adult to support their behavior when emotions run high.

In Speak Up, Dr. Leah partners with you to be a powerful agent of change. You will learn how to scaffold your child's learning and help your child practice these skills daily during real interactions with you, siblings, friends, and classmates.
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In addition to providing this important supportive scaffolding, you are teaching your child every day, not just by what you say but by what you do.  With Dr. Leah's support, you will learn how to model these skills yourself during everyday interactions around your child.
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​Class fee: $475 for five 60-minute live online sessions. Also included is a child workbook, parent guide, home practice activities, and access to recorded instructional segments during the course.
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​Contact Dr. Leah:  [email protected] with any questions.
After taking this class, parents say:
  • They like having a shared vocabulary with their child.
  • Their children are showing new skills at home and feeling proud of themselves.
  • They know how to support their child to work out problems with their siblings more effectively.
  • Their child is showing more flexibility.
  • Their child is talking to them about their feelings more often.

After this class, children say:
  • It helps them stay out of the "red zone" more often.
  • They can talk to their parents more easily.
  • They feel more confident at school.
Questions? Contact me.
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Most parents have seen their child:
  • explode
  • withdraw
  • cry
  • avoid
  • argue
  • give in to being a people pleaser

These behaviors express important needs. The more you can help your child express these needs more effectively, the less of these behaviors your child will need to rely on.

Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. gives your child easy-to-follow scripts, so they can:
  • Share their feelings with words
  • Stand up for themselves peacefully
  • Practice compromise and flexibility
  • Feel good about themselves and their relationships

With live instruction and feedback, your child will practice ways to speak up clearly, stay calm under pressure, and build healthier relationships.
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​In addition, you'll get coaching alongside your child, so you’ll know exactly how to support them at home long after the program ends.

Who Is It For?
  • Children in the 2nd to 5th grade who can read at a 2nd-grade level or higher (necessary for learning scripts).
  • Children who have siblings, friends, and/or classmates with whom they want to get along better.
  • Parents who are able to attend the classes with their child to learn the skills and vocabulary.
  • Parents who want to help their child practice skills outside of class during the program.
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  How Does It Work?
  • Five weekly online sessions via Zoom (60 minutes each).
  • One parent/caregiver attends all sessions, so they can learn alongside their child.
  • Children attend the first four sessions, with the final session dedicated solely to supporting parents and answering questions.
  • The didactics portion of the class will be recorded for you to access throughout the course. The second parent or caregiver (if applicable) can view this material with their child outside of class. You can also learn the material in case you and your child become unable to attend a class for some reason.
  • Children and parents practice skills through role play and games, both in class and at home, for reinforcement.​​ ​
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

​1. Is the class open to all genders?
Yes. If you have questions or concerns about the composition of the class, please contact me at [email protected].

2. Will there be opportunities to continue working together after the class is over?
Yes! You will have the option to continue to receive support through continued meetings after the formal group is over.

3. Is this class reimbursable by insurance?
As an educational program, Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is not reimbursable by insurance.
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4. Can both (or all) my children participate?
As of now, siblings are not allowed to participate together in a live course. However, they can certainly watch recordings of instructional segments, and they can participate in the at-home activities.

5. What if we have to miss a class?
You will receive a recording of the class's content, along with the interactive activities and games to play offline. 

6. What if my child doesn't want to do the program, but I want them to?
It can help to refer to past complaints and use language that your child has expressed in the past when discussing their concerns about getting along with others.  Let them know other kids are participating and they are not the only ones who struggle with navigating the social arena. In addition, try to understand the underlying reasons your child doesn't want to participate. Are they shy of the camera? Do they assert that they don't have any conflicts with siblings or peers? When talking to them, ask clarifying questions first. Depending on their answer, validate the feeling and try to reassure them. Often, after the first session, children feel more comfortable and want to continue. If all else fails, you can still participate and review the recorded instructional segments with your child outside of class.
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Disclaimer: This class is considered educational in nature. As a universal prevention program, it is not a clinical service. While I am a licensed psychologist, my nonclinical services are not the practice of psychology, they are not psychotherapy, or counseling, they are not intended as healthcare of any kind, nor does your participation create a psychologist/client relationship. In addition, your participation in this group is not intended to diagnose or treat any physical or mental illness, dysfunction or condition, nor should it be considered a substitute for any healthcare services.