
Groups & Bootcamps for Summer 2025
Thank you to everyone who participated in our summer groups & bootcamps in 2024! So happy to hear how much you enjoyed them. Check out our 2025 groups & bootcamps below.
Bootcamps

Dude's Group
Led by Taylor Karey, LSW
Details:
Often times it is hard to find resources for boys to build connection and emotional inteligence. Throughout the group kids will learn: -Peer realtionships -Meeting new people -Unexpected/expected behaviors -Team work -Perspective taking -Handling situations -Understanding emotions

Radiant and Resilient Self-Esteem Group
Led by Morgan Retzer, LPC
For Incoming 4th-6th graders
​Dates: July 15th - 17th​
Time: 11-12:15
Location: Park Ridge Office
Details:
Join us for a 6 week empowering girls group that creates a space for girls to increase their self-esteem, engage in a space that is designed to help young girls build confidence, and resilience. The group works in a supportive environment promoting problem-solving abilities, healthy relationships, and positive self-talk. A great opportunity to navigate challenges through creative and mindful activities.

Back to School Readiness
Led by Laney Dossey, LPC
For Incoming 4th-6th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
The group would be focused on discussing and practicing ways to transition back to school on a positive note. We will also review expected behaviors at school.

Create to Cope
Led by Laney Dossey, LPC
For Incoming 4th-6th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
The group will be focused on utilizing creative activities to help group members cope with their overall stress whether that be related to confidence, self-esteem, general stress, and so on. During each session, participants will engage in varying creative activities while getting to socialize with each other and have fun! Group members will be able to take each of their projects home with them and there will be a short discussion at the end of each group where group members can share their projects if they wish.

Common App Bootcamp
Led by Denise Pearl, PhD
For Those applying to college
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details
Our Common App Bootcamp is designed to help high school students navigate the college application process with ease. Through expert guidance, personalized feedback, and hands-on training, students will learn how to craft compelling essays, complete their Common App efficiently, and build strong applications that stand out. Whether you're just starting or need help polishing your materials, our bootcamp ensures you’re fully prepared for college admissions.

Leadership Workshop
Led by Lindsay Fleming, LCPC
For Incoming 6th-8th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
This 6 week workshop will be broken into two parts: Pt. 1: learning and group discussion on topics like... -Confidence -Friendships -School Stress -Social Media -Conflict Resolution & Modeling Leadership -Coping Skills & Self Talk Pt 2: The girls will work together to create a philanthropy project. This project will help them gain leadership skills and give back to the community. This project will be 100% theirs and my role will be there to guide them with executing their plan!

Girls Group
Led by Taylor Karey, LSW
For Incoming 3rd & 4th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
A space for 3rd & 4th grade girls to build friendship skills, learn coping mechanisims and increase self-esteem.

Middle School Girls Group
Led by Taylor Karey,LSW
For Incoming 6th-8th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
A space for incoming and current middle schoolers to build friendship skills, learn coping mechanisims and increase self-esteem.

Executive Functioning Bootcamp
Led by Pantra Shafaee-Hoeft, LCSW & Lindsay Fleming, LCPC
For Incoming 6th-8th graders
​Dates: TBD
Time: TBD
Details:
Executive functioning involves skills like time management, organization, planning, focus, and self-regulation—key for success in school and life. This bootcamp is for middle schoolers who struggle with staying organized, meeting deadlines, focusing on tasks, or managing emotions. If your child frequently forgets assignments, procrastinates, or gets easily distracted, they’ll benefit from this program. We help middle schoolers learn new techniques for: Get Organized: Learn effective systems for keeping track of assignments and materials. Master Time Management: Break tasks into manageable steps, set realistic deadlines, and avoid procrastination. Improve Focus: Practice strategies for staying on task and managing distractions. Set Goals: Develop goal-setting habits that build confidence and academic success. By the end, students will have the tools to manage schoolwork more effectively and feel more in control of their responsibilities.
Summer Groups

Adult Children Caregiver Support Group
Led by Denise Pearl, PhD
For Adults taking care of their parents
​Dates: April 2nd - May 7th (Wednesdays)
​Dates: June 17th - July 22nd (Tuesdays)
Time: TBD
Location: Virtual
Details:
Hi! I’m Denise. I’m a therapist specializing in life transitions, particularly when adult children face decisions about their aging parents' independence. As an Instructor in Bradley University's Counseling Program teaching courses on aging dynamics, and through my extensive reading on end-of-life care, I bring professional expertise to this sensitive topic. My understanding also comes from personal experience as the primary caregiver for my father following his two strokes. For five years, I navigated the challenges of balancing his care with my family's needs, coordinating with siblings, and managing the complex decisions that arose. While I discovered resources for my father's care, I noticed a significant gap in support services for caregivers themselves. This group provides a space for adult children caring for aging parents to share experiences, process emotions, and exchange resources with others who understand this journey. Topics Covered: -Assessing Needs Assessing needs of parents, evaluating options, and considering the financial perspective -Family Dynamics Managing family dynamics in caregiving -Advocating for Needs Advocating for your parents’ needs in medical care -Boundaries Setting time and emotional boundaries -Selfcare Selfcare in caregiving -Shifting Roles & Preparing for End of Life Grieving shifting roles and preparing for the end of life

New Moms & 2nd Time Moms Group
Led by Michelle Trudeau, LCSW
For 1st Time Moms & 2nd + Moms Groups
​Dates: Click Learn more for dates
Details:
This group is a space for connection, support and advice to help you ease into this amazing, exhausting, & exciting life as a new mom. We will share about our experience as new moms and hear from experts in development, feeding and sleep. All members who attend this group will have access to our MSC moms closed facebook group. This way we can all continue to support each other. In this space we will: -Share about our experience as new moms -Gain support from & connect with each other -Learn relevant information on child health & parenting -Decrease our anxiety & increase our self confidence

Body Gremlins
Led by Genesis Martinez, LPC
For Teens & Young Adults
​Dates: Bi-Weekly Virtual
Details:
Support group for teens & young adults that will focus on body connection, neutrality and tolerance. A safe space to process the impact body image can have on an individual. This group will explore the gremlins of body image to take steps to get unstuck from the mud, one sucky part at a time.