Health and Wellness Center at the Institute
Living with chronic pain and life-limiting health conditions can be challenging. Did you know that 60% – 70% of youth diagnosed with chronic pain conditions are girls? And approximately 70% of adults experiencing chronic pain are women. We also know from experience and research that our gender nonbinary and transgender community youth and adults report higher levels of pain than the general population. What can we do to support those experiencing pain and health conditions? Our approach is designed to be empowering and strength-based. It includes skills and support for building community, increasing resilience, improving coping with the anxiety and depression that often accompany health conditions, and learning self-advocacy skills..
The Health and Wellness Center at the Institute offers children, teens, adults, parents and families a safe haven for empowering themselves with:
- Support and connection
- Skills and strategies
- Self-advocacy tools
Aligned with our mission of empowerment for life, the Health and Wellness team at the Institute provides specialized psychological and support services. In collaboration with clients’ other health care professionals, we provide an individualized approach to meet unique needs, including:
Therapy:
Through positive therapeutic relationships, clients in individual, family, and group therapy learn new ways to use their minds to increase comfort in their bodies. Our team of clinicians use strength-based, “known to work” approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and clinical hypnosis. In addition, expressive arts provide an avenue for creative expression when words are hard to find. All of our therapy services for individuals, groups and families are being offered in person in Pasadena and/or online via Telehealth (online therapy), depending on the needs of the individual and family. .
If you’re curious about the process of getting started in therapy, click here to check out our guide!
Group Therapy:
Our Wellness Grit Group for ages 12 – 17 provides a place for teens with chronic pain to connect and build their hardiness skills as they support each other.
Check out our Wellness Grit page for more information!
Parent support and education:
Parents often share about the challenges they face as they seek to support their children and themselves. Research shows that support and skills for parents and family members enhance the well-being of the child or adolescent. This may include guidance on the best support to give their young person to build confidence and resilience, tips for navigating the health care system with advocacy, working with the schools on 504 Plans and IEPs and so much more!
Assessment:
Sometimes a neuropsychological, cognitive, academic and/or psychological evaluation can add clarity and helpful recommendations for the entire treatment team. Several members of our assessment team have specialized training in health psychology and provide these types of individualized evaluations as needed.
Professional Training:
We bring our commitment to professional training in our work with primary care colleagues. We love working collaboratively, and we value teaching opportunities. Read more about our professional training.
If you have questions about our services for girls, women, gender nonbinary and transgender individuals and families, feel free to contact us. We look forward to talking with you to explore ways to:
- Rediscover and/or maintain zest for life
- Increase comfort – emotional and physical
- Enhance strength, resilience and self-regulation
- Learn about advocacy options to create more ease and comfort with procedures in the health care system
- Navigate effectively school, family life, relationships and work
The Health and Wellness Center Team:
- Melissa Johnson, Ph.D., CEO & Founder of the Institute for Girls’ Development, Licensed Psychologist (PSY 13102)
- Grace M. Goodman, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist (PSY 28905)
- Paige Howard, M.S., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 148453)
- Alex Maddox, M.A., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 141737)
- Ashlee Reid, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist (PSY 35059)
- Tatevik Sarkisian, M.A., Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT 148590)