Inside/Outside Self-Discovery Program 

 For Girls Who Were Adopted  
 

The dynamic Inside/Outside curriculum, written by Helene Feinberg-Walker, Sarah Barrett, & Jane Shure, was designed to help youth develop skills to navigate the challenging terrain of early adolescence by teaching about self-awareness, what feelings are and how to work with them, strategies for constructive self-talk, methods for managing stress and tension, the forces that drive social comparison and cause insecurities, and media literacy. 

The Inside/Outside Self-Discovery Program promotes self-esteem and resilience by:

• increasing internal resources that fortify healthy teen development

• building skills for managing the ups and downs of peer relationships

• fostering abilities to resist cultural pressures to be perfect

• developing supportive inner talk to counter self-criticism

 Evaluative research suggests that participation in this program enhances the coping skills needed for resilience and self-acceptance. The Inside/ Outside Self-Discovery Program is ideal for anyone working to empower middle school youth. 

Former ACONE Board member, Etta Lappen Davis, a licensed teacher and adoption consultant, is adapting the Inside/Outside program for middle school girls who were adopted. ACONE will pilot the program this summer for girls entering grades 6 – 8. The program will consist of seven morning sessions, from 9:30am – 12:00pm at the ACONE office in Westborough.