​Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is a live online, 4-week educational class that you and your child participate in, along with other parents/caregivers and children. 

​In this class your child (and you) will learn "just right" strategies to:
  • Request that someone do or stop doing something.
  • Know what to do and say when someone (often a sibling or classmate) doesn't respond to their request the first time.
  • Learn how to actively ignore someone teasing them in a way that works and feels good.
  • Speak up about their needs even when they're concerned about hurting someone's feelings.

These "just right" strategies are known as assertiveness strategies.  Assertiveness (not to be confused with aggressiveness) is the ability to stand up for yourself without impacting the rights of others. It is a way to teach children alternative behaviors for times when they may otherwise default to passive or aggressive tendencies. Assertiveness training has a significant research base demonstrating its association with emotional wellbeing, self-esteem and better relationships. You'll help your child complete special home and school challenges that make learning fun, AND you'll find new ways to communicate and collaborate with your child.  This is a class for you to do with your child, so you can support them out in the world not just now, but in the future. 
Class Fee: $425
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.

"This class gave my child more confidence to speak up about her needs. We both got many different tools for handling and practicing what we can say in tricky situations to find the right balance of assertiveness. I also found that the class helped my child open up more about her feelings and that gave us a closer bond."
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Parent of an 11-year-old girl
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.
Do you want to help your child navigate a sibling relationship or tricky situations at school?

Many children struggle to find the “just right” way to communicate their needs. Without knowing what to say and do, kids often feel there's no other option except to react in big ways or withdraw and do nothing. Either way causes a loss of self-esteem. 

Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is built on a simple belief: when children have better options to get their needs met, they make better decisions. The program teaches practical interpersonal skills, because the ability to communicate effectively with others is foundational to self-confidence, healthy relationships, and long-term success in our increasingly social world.

Although some children struggle more than others, because of their level of development, almost all kids struggle to balance their own needs with those of others, especially in tricky situations. Every child can improve their perspective-taking and how to solve conflicts that are an inherent aspect of relationships.
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Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is a 4-week class that gives your child scripts to follow, 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 friendships.
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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.

    This Class Is Right for Your Family If:
  • Your child is between 7 and 12 and can read at a 3rd grade level or higher (necessary for learning scripts).
  • Your child has siblings, friends, and/or classmates that they want to get along better with.
  • You are able to attend the classes with your child to learn the skills and vocabulary.
  • You want to help your child practice skills outside of class during the four weeks.
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    Class Format and Structure:
  • Weekly online sessions occur Monday or Wednesday afternoons via Zoom (60 minutes each).
  • One parent/caregiver is required to attend all sessions for the entire hour, so they can learn alongside their child.
  • 1-2 assertiveness strategies are taught each week by Dr. Leah. This section 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.​
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​Contact Dr. Leah:  [email protected] with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

​1.  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 the instructional segments that are recorded for reviewing at home, and they can participate in the at-home activities!

2. Why is it important that parents/caregivers attend with their child?
As a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in reinforcing your child’s learning. The course will provide you with strategies to support your child’s practice of the skills taught in class. This collaboration is essential because children often require guidance to apply new skills effectively in real-life situations.

3. 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.

4. Is this class covered by insurance?
As an educational program, Speak Up and Stay S.T.R.O.N.G. is not reimbursable by insurance. Dr. Leah provides invoices but not
superbills for this course.