PLANTING SEEDS OF HOPE: THE MINDgarden PHILOSOPHY
March 19, 2024
Ah, childhood—the days of endless exploration, where every corner held a new adventure and the world felt boundless with possibility. Now, imagine if in addition to those adventures, we were equipped with a toolkit—a little something to guide us through the storms, to stand tall in the face of challenges, and to find beauty in every moment. That's the essence of MINDgarden, a philosophy that envisions a world where every child is empowered with the tools for mental wellness from the very start.
MINDgarden: Cultivating Brighter Futures for Our Kids
At its heart, MINDgarden isn’t just about teaching; it’s about nurturing. It’s about ensuring emotional literacy is as fundamental as learning to read and write. And here’s why it truly matters:
• Mindfulness: It’s not just a trendy term; it’s about teaching our kids to savor every moment, finding joy in life's simplest pleasures.
• Emotional Intelligence: Giving our children the vocabulary to express their feelings, and reassuring them that it’s okay to feel, and okay to share those feelings.
• Resilience: Showing them that stumbling isn’t failing—it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and stand up even stronger.
• Community and Connection: Helping them understand that while they are unique individuals, they are also part of a greater whole—a community where each person matters.
Why MINDgarden is Essential Now, More Than Ever
In a world that’s rapidly changing, our children face new and complex challenges. MINDgarden serves as a guiding light in these turbulent times, helping our kids navigate stress and anxiety, and find their footing in moments of chaos. It’s about laying a foundation so sturdy that no matter what life throws their way, they can weather the storm and emerge even stronger.
Bringing MINDgarden to Life: Everyday Magic
MINDgarden isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about finding magic in the little things:
• Starting the Day Mindfully: Take a moment each morning to share a quiet moment with your child—watch the sunrise, or simply express gratitude for the day ahead.
• Exploring Feelings Together: Create a ‘feeling wheel’ with your child, helping them understand the rich tapestry of emotions and empowering them to express themselves.
• Stories of Strength: Bedtime isn’t just for fairy tales; share stories of real-life heroes who faced challenges head-on, inspiring resilience and determination.
• Sprinkling Kindness: Encourage acts of kindness, no matter how small, showing them that even the tiniest gesture can make a big difference.
The MINDgarden Journey: Walking Hand in Hand
MINDgarden isn’t a solitary journey. It’s a path we walk together with our children, learning from each other every step of the way.
By planting these seeds early on, we’re not just nurturing healthy minds; we’re fostering compassionate, resilient, and empathetic individuals prepared to tackle the world with open hearts.
By planting these seeds early on, we’re not just nurturing healthy minds; we’re fostering compassionate, resilient, and empathetic individuals prepared to tackle the world with open hearts.
Let’s not just dream of a brighter future for our children; let’s lay the groundwork for it, one mindful step at a time. Welcome to MINDgarden—where every child’s journey to mental wellness begins.
Therapy is grounded in connection and trust. Hi, my name is Tiffany, and I am a Speech-Language Pathologist at Kalasho Education & Youth Services. I earned my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Wayne State University in 2019 and have had the opportunity to support children and families of various backgrounds and communication needs. Throughout my experience in the educational setting, I’ve seen time and again how communication skills impact learning, confidence, and social connection. One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is partnering with families to better understand their child’s communication needs and to provide strategies that support growth and success beyond our sessions. My approach to therapy is grounded in connection and trust. I aim to create a supportive environment where communication feels safe, fun, and empowering. When children feel safe and supported, they are more willing to take risks, explore new skills, and find their voice. Here at MINDgarden, I’m grateful to be part of a team that recognizes the strong connection between communication, learning, and mental health. Tiffany's Bio Tiffany is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with several years of experience supporting children and families in educational and therapeutic settings. She provides comprehensive assessment and intervention for a wide range of communication needs, including articulation and phonological disorders, expressive and receptive language delays, childhood apraxia of speech, fluency disorders, and social-pragmatic communication challenges. Tiffany builds strong, meaningful connections with her clients and believes that trust and rapport are essential for progress in therapy. She has extensive experience working with families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and values collaboration with caregivers and interdisciplinary team members to ensure cohesive, functional, and culturally responsive support. Tiffany strives to make therapy engaging and empowering, helping each client build confidence and develop communication skills that support success at home, in school, and in social settings. Speech Language Pathologist Focus Areas Receptive & Expressive Language Development Articulation & Phonological Disorders Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) Fluency (Stuttering) Social-Pragmatic Communication Cultural and Bilingual Language Considerations Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) & School Collaboration Therapeutic Approaches Modeling, recasting, and expansion techniques Play-based and child-centered therapy Story-based interventions Expanding Expression Tool (EET) Cycles Approach Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC) for Childhood Apraxia of Speech Minimal Pairs and Multiple Oppositions approaches Psychoeducation, self-advocacy, and cognitive-based strategies Caregiver coaching and home practice support Populations Served: Toddlers, Children and Adolescents, Inclusive speech therapy for people of all identities, backgrounds, and relationships. To schedule an appointment with Tiffany, please call (586) 393-1570.
Hi, My name is Amber Donahue, I am a Mental Health Therapist at Mindgarden. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the development of MINDgarden from an abstract idea to help children and families to its fruition of a welcoming, unique, safe, and serene place of help and healing . From the calmness of reading under the Magnolia tree in the library to playful excitement of exploring the life skills room; each space has been perfectly curated to invoke a different emotion and address a specific need or challenge. As a therapist, my first visit to the building was very inspiring and rejuvenating, as I saw each room as a new way to connect with my clients and reach them in ways that are impossible in a regular office setting. As a mother, I see MINDgarden as a place that nurtures children and families. There is a warmth to the building and the staff that puts me at ease knowing that my child would feel comfortable and safe spending time here. I was thrilled when I was asked to join the team at Mindgarden. It is a privilege to work in such a beautiful space for people who value family, community and mental health. It is rare to be in a like-minded workplace where everyone truly loves their job, is committed to their work, and is excited to make a difference. I look forward to being here to see and help the vision for Mindgarden become a reality. Amber's Bio Amber Donahue is a licensed mental health therapist with a Master’s in Social Work from Wayne State University, where she also earned a dual title in Infant Mental Health. Her clinical experience includes supporting mothers with postpartum depression, young children (ages 0–6), adolescents, families, and individuals coping with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Her style is laid-back and supportive, but she’s also not afraid to gently challenge when it helps with growth. She believes the relationship between therapist and client is central to healing, so she strives to create a safe, trusting space where you feel comfortable showing up as yourself. Because she sees mental health as something that extends beyond the individual, she works to support the whole family system. Whether she is helping a new mom postpartum, children build emotional regulation skills, or adolescents navigate complex challenges, her goal is to empower families to strengthen connections, build resilience, and find balance together. Mental Health Focus Areas Postpartum and Perinatal Disorders Infant Mental Health Parenting support Separation Anxiety Anxiety & Depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ADHD Stress Management Self-Esteem Issues Social Anxiety General Behavioral Issues Mood Disorders Life Transitions Relationship & Family Stress School or College Stress Family Conflict Women's Issues Therapeutic Approaches Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Attachment Approach Family Systems Approach Person-Centered Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Strengths-Based Approach Populations Served: Inclusive therapy for people of all identities, backgrounds, and relationships. To schedule an appointment with Amber, please call (586) 393-1570.