Julia V. Taylor is a K-12 Certified School Counselor and author of The Body Image Workbook for Teens, The Bullying Workbook for Teens, Salvaging Sisterhood, Girls in Real-Life Situations (GIRLS): Group Counseling Activities for Enhancing Social and Emotional Development, and the children's book Perfectly You. (GIRLS is two separate curricula, one for secondary ages and another for elementary ages.)
Originating from the Washington, D.C., USA area, Julia received her undergraduate degree in exercise science with a concentration in health education from George Mason University. She received her master's degree in psychology with a concentration in school counseling from Marymount University. After a decade of school counseling, she left the trenches of education to pursue a doctoral degree in counselor education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Julia began studying gender-specific topics during graduate school and focused the majority of her research on body image, relational aggression, and self-esteem issues during the tumultuous adolescent years. During that time, she realized there was a lack of relevant curricula available to educators specific to the social and emotional development of young women. Because of this, she decided to research and write her own. Julia frequently presents her research and experiences with educators, parents, and students. She has presented over 100 workshops, breakout sessions, assemblies, and keynote addresses across the country. Julia has a passion for helping girls to develop a true sense of self, stand up to unrealistic media expectations, take healthy risks, and cultivate meaningful relationships. When not working, she enjoys running, writing, and spending time with friends and family in Brooklyn, New York, her home away from home.
Dr Shannon Trice-Black is currently a doctoral student in counseling education. She has been a school counselor for over 10 years and continues to maintain a small part-time counseling practice, working with children, adolescents, and adults. Shannon has presented her work and writings on classroom guidance, bullying, and relational aggression at conferences, workshops, and master's level classes. She serves on the board of the Jefferson Counseling Association and the Virginia Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. In addition, Shannon is a member of the Virginia Counselors Association, Virginia School Counselors Association, and American Counseling Association.
