Navigating Friendships, Knowing Yourself, and Everything In Between
Tween years are often when friendships become more complicated, emotions feel more intense, and the pressure to fit in starts to carry real weight. Many girls are trying to figure out who they are while also managing shifting social dynamics, academic expectations, and growing independence.
This group is designed to support girls through that process — not by eliminating challenges, but by helping them understand what's happening and respond with more confidence and intention.
What This Group Focuses On
This is not a traditional social skills group. Sessions go deeper into the real experiences tween girls navigate every day:
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Changing friendships — Understanding why friendships shift, how to handle feeling replaced or left out, and how to stay connected without losing yourself
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Social dynamics & peer culture — Making sense of social hierarchies, power dynamics, and the unspoken rules of belonging
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Exclusion, conflict, and "drama" — Learning how to respond to gossip, misunderstandings, and social stress without escalating or shutting down
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Emotional awareness & regulation — Building skills to manage intense feelings, reduce reactivity, and think more clearly in the moment
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Academic pressure & self-expectations — Navigating stress, perfectionism, and identity tied to performance
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Identity & self-concept — Exploring values, confidence, and how to stay grounded in who you are — even when it's hard
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Boundaries & communication — Practicing how to speak up, say no, and handle difficult conversations in realistic ways
When:
Tuesday at 4:45 PM
Fall & Spring Semesters
Where:
8401 Connecticut Ave., Ste 1120
Chevy Chase, MD
Goals of the Group
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Feel more equipped to handle friendship challenges
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Respond more thoughtfully—instead of reactively
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Develop a clearer sense of identity and values
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Improve confidence in social and academic settings
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Build meaningful peer connection within the group
How the Year is Structured
This group follows a semester model with a full-year curriculum.
Fall Semester (September–January) Girls explore social power, peer hierarchy, and belonging — learning to understand the dynamics around them and find their footing within them.
Spring Semester (February–June) The focus shifts inward: building confidence, setting boundaries, making values-based choices, and learning to act — even under pressure.
Enrollment in the fall does not commit group members to the spring, and new members are able to join in the Spring if space allows.
This group may be a good fit for girls who:
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Struggle with friendship changes or “drama”
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Feel left out, unsure where they fit, or overly influenced by peers
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Experience strong emotional reactions to social situations
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Put pressure on themselves academically
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Are looking to build confidence and better understand themselves
Evidence-Based Approach
This group draws from evidence-based approaches — including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) — adapted for the tween developmental stage.
Sessions focus on helping girls apply skills to situations they are actively dealing with. Each meeting combines skill building, group discussion, and role play so girls leave with tools they can use right away. Group members are empowered to suggest topics, share personal experiences, and offer support and feedback to one another.
This group helps participants:
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Understand how social systems actually work including social power
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Recognize patterns in friendships and group dynamics
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Make more intentional choices in difficult situations
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Build confidence that comes from experience—not just advice
Meet Your Group Leaders
Dr. Malesa is a licensed psychologist with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in working with girls at pivotal moments of growth — helping them build the skills to navigate complex social dynamics, manage emotional challenges, and develop a stronger sense of self.
Mary is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at The Catholic University of America and Deputy Executive Director of Resilience Across Borders. She is passionate about supporting youth mental health and helping girls develop resilience, self-confidence, and positive coping strategies.