Parents of Gifted and 2e Children
When
Course meetings are weekly: Oct 4, Oct 11, Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 1, Nov 8.
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 children, in a guided weekly discussion group around the unique challenges that gifted children bring to families. Groups offer a forum for parents to speak freely about their child’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, 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. The groups follow the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, by James Webb, et al. Topics include:
- Characteristics of Gifted Children
- Family Communication
- Motivation, Enthusiasm, and Underachievement
- Discipline
- Perfectionism & Stress
- Peer Relatioships
- Only Children & Siblings
- Depression
- Values & Traditions
- Successful Parenting
Registration is CLOSED, the group is full. Please email update@summitcenter.us if you would like to receive information about our next group, starting in January.
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. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute, and is a certified SENG facilitator. As a parent of two young children, Dr. Chen also has an in-depth understanding of the rollercoaster of emotions that coming with raising a child and partners with parents to provide a continuity of care.
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.