Parents of Gifted and 2e Children
When
Course meetings are weekly: Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, Mar. 2, Mar. 9 (no meeting Feb. 17)
Where
Summit Center Walnut Creek700 Ygnacio Valley Road
Suite 320
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Driving Directions
Parenting a gifted or twice-exceptional child (a child who is both gifted and has a learning difference) can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. While it may feel isolating at times, you are not alone! Please join us, along with other parents of gifted/2e children, in a guided weekly discussion group around the unique challenges that gifted/2e children bring to families. Groups offer a forum for parents to speak freely about their child/children’s development, share parenting concerns, and seek support with others who have similar experiences. Simultaneously, we will also learn more about the social emotional needs of the gifted/2e, the unique parenting challenges that arise, and the resources that are available.
Groups are led by certified SENG facilitators Dr. Ellena Chen, licensed psychologist, and Melanie Hayes, Ed.D., MFT intern. Topics include:
- Understanding Giftedness and Twice Exceptionality
- School, Homework, Underachievement, Motivation
- Family Dynamics and Discipline
- Social Relationships and Friends
- Emotional Side of Giftedness and 2e
- Complexities of Parenting Gifted/2e Kids
Group participation costs $250 for one person or $450 per couple for the 6 sessions. Pre-registration is required. Register early as space is limited. All participants need to purchase and bring the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, by James Webb, et al., to each session.
Ellena Chen, Psy.D., is a Licensed Psychologist who specializes in collaborative strength-based work with children and their families. She provides a range of services, including individual and family counseling, psychological assessments, and consultations. Dr. Chen is passionate about twice-exceptionality, parenting, and helping children and families who are struggling with learning differences, ADHD, and anxiety. As a parent of two young children, Dr. Chen has an in-depth understanding of the rollercoaster of emotions that can come with raising a child, and partners with parents to provide a continuity of care. She is a certified SENG facilitator.
Melanie Hayes, Ed.D., provides counseling to children, teens, adults, and families at Summit Center's Walnut Creek office. Dr. Hayes has made it her life’s work to help gifted and twice exceptional persons find their niche and work to their strengths. She is an expert in the needs of gifted/2e persons and works with a wide range of clients to help them thrive. Dr. Hayes holds a doctorate in educational leadership with a focus on giftedness and twice exceptionality, and is a certified SENG facilitator. Dr. Hayes created Big Minds, a school for 2e children that lets them learn without limits through mentoring and supporting their intellectual, social, and emotional well-being. She also has 2e twins, so she is intimately familiar with the joys and hardships of raising and educating exceptional children.