In-person and virtual groups, virtual coaching, summer camps, school programing and parent/teacher/staff consultation
Our “Diary of a Social Detective” book: winner of Mom’s Choice, Teachers’s choice and Moonbeam Children Book awards
Why Social Detective Academy?
Our programs work!
SDA offers effective, research based social/emotional training programs with highly trained professionals.
Created by child development expert Jeffrey Jessum, Ph.D. and used in schools across the US
Based on the award-winning book Diary of Social Detective, up to date research and theory and years of clinical experience.
Our Social Detective Training is unique and relevant
Fun, engaging, and comprehensive
Solving ‘real life’ social mysteries kids encounter every day has shown to be a great approach to keep children excited about the process of learning.
In our programs we take special care to incorporate students’ specific successes, struggles, strengths and weakness into daily sessions in order to make our time together as relevant and useful as possible.
Flexible programs tailored to you and your kids
We offer comprehensive and cost effective packages as well as more targeted small group programs, off and on-site.
Tailored specifically to your children’s needs and challenges
Contact us now to learn how Social Detective Academy can work for you.
Social Skills groups
Our groups in Sherman Oaks, San Fernando valley
We serve kids in Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Van Nuys, Glendale, Pasadena and surrounding areas.
15409 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
We work with schools to bring our curriculum to classrooms and after-school programs. Let’s work together to bring it to your school, drop us a message for more.
We are growing! Please contact us for collaborating and franchising opportunities.
- Our group meetings allow children to hone their social skills by defining and solving social mysteries together in an engaging way.
- Smaller group settings allow us to observe the children and offer them personalized guidance as well as a sense of comradery with their peers as they solve mysteries together.
- Our community goes beyond the meetings with opportunities for off-site outings, online communities, and frequent communication with parents and teachers.
Groups: Frequently Asked Questions
When and where do the groups take place?
- On-site groups during school hours: These can be for whole classes or be pull-out groups for specific students. Please contact us for more info.
- On-site groups after school hours: These are optional groups for those interested in extra-curricular learning. Please contact us for more info
- Off-site groups after school hours: We offer private groups for those interested in more targeted, personalized attention. Fall offerings.
How often do the groups meet?
We have found it most beneficial for groups to meet 1-3 times per week.
What size are the groups?
Groups on campus can range from small pull out groups of 3-8 kids to full classroom groups of 20-30 students. Off-site groups are usually limited to 3-8 kids in order to offer more personalized one-on- one attention.
Who teaches the groups?
Our groups are run by experienced teachers who were extensively trained by and remain supervised by Dr. Jessum. Dr. Jessum designed the year long curriculums and meets with parents and teachers on a regular basis as well.
What is the student commitment?
We expect participants to be group ready, come regularly and do their best to participate and be receptive. There is also occasional homework and assigned reading. After initial week’s meeting we will ask for a semester long commitment to ensure continuity and relationship building. We will be willing to accommodate individual circumstances if they arise.
Where do you run these groups?
Presently we are offering groups in Southern California.
In Northern California our groups are presently in Palo Alto, and we are working on a few new locations/times as these groups fill up. We’d be happy to come to your school or other alternative locations if 3+ students commit . In Southern California our groups are in Sherman Oaks. We are also working to expand our cirriculums online.
In Northern California our groups are presently in Palo Alto, and we are working on a few new locations/times as these groups fill up. We’d be happy to come to your school or other alternative locations if 3+ students commit . In Southern California our groups are in Sherman Oaks. We are also working to expand our cirriculums online.
What is the age range for the groups?
In Northern California, we are currently focusing on school-aged kids from 6-13, and create our groups based on age and developmental level. We also work with high-school students and young adults transitioning to college and more independent living. Please contact us for more info.
How do you match kids to groups?
For our private and on-site pull out groups we match kids based on their age and their emotional, social and cognitive ability.
The makeup of our on-site groups is often determined by pre-existing class structure. In those situations, all the kids in the class participate in the group.
Can we contact the teachers regarding any specific concerns with students?
Yes. In fact it is very helpful knowing if there are specific issues students are dealing with. This helps the facilitators incorporate real life issues and teach more directly to relevant dynamics going on with students or within the school as a whole.
What role does Dr. Jessum play in the program?
In addition to writing the curriculum and training the facilitators, Dr. Jessum provides regular supervision to all the group leaders. He also runs many of the groups himself and is available for parent consultation and lectures.
How do the groups work?
The groups provide a combination of teachings, experiential learning, and facilitated social interactions to help cultivate more effective social and emotional skills in real time.
Does the group curriculum vary based on the students’ ages?
Yes. Younger students are encouraged to become their own “social detective” – which makes the program more engaging – it’s not something they are just learning but something they are living. Teen groups are centered less around being a social detective, and more focused on finding one’s personal power as they become more responsible in their lives. This approach of meeting the teens where they are developmentally helps foster motivation and ownership of what they are learning in the group.
What can I expect to see in my student?
We anticipate that from day one you will see increasing awareness in your child’s understanding of their social and emotional world. Each week they will be learning new skills and will have homework to practice those skills during the week.
What other options are available?
In additions to groups, we offer individual education and training and summer programs. Please contact us for more information.
Find out how Social Detective Academy can work for you
What students, parents, and educators think about our work:
Why Social Detective Training?
Social Skills are critical to future success
Most important skill to teach – A 20-year study published in The American Journal of Public Health showed clearly once again that teaching kids social skills is the number one thing we can do to prepare them for a healthy future.
More important than IQ – Other studies showed that Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is significantly more important than IQ for determining professional success and prestige, earning potential, and even in presidential success and efficacy!
Earlier we start, the better – “From an early age, these skills can help determine whether a child goes to college or prison, and whether they end up employed or addicted” – quote from the Duke/Penn State Study Program Director
Teaching Social Detective skills is effective!
Teaching these skills improves child’s wellbeing – it’s shown to significantly increase social and emotional intelligence, which in turn improves self-esteem and helps deepen friendships.
Helps family and community – improves positive behavior, children’s ability to work effectively with others, learn in group environments, and facilitate relationships with teachers, family and peers.
Helps learning – improved attitudes towards school and learning, engagement, academic performance and educational outcomes, deeper understanding of subject matters, as well as decrease in wide range of behaviors that interfere with learning.
Find out how our program might work for your children.
About us
Social Detective Academy is an educational organization whose mission is to provide engaging, effective, and personalized social skills classes both in the private practice setting as well as in schools, camps, and after-school programs. The programs we have created are based on decades of experience.
Jeffrey Jessum, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeffrey Jessum is a well-known developmental psychologist with over 25 years of experience and the author of the award-winning book Diary of a Social Detective, which is currently used in hundreds of schools around the country. He has been leading Social Skills groups for the past 20 years.Dr. Jessum’s successful private practice, combined with expertise in child development and social skills training, are the basis for the protocols we use in our programs.
Stephanie Wright, Psy.D.
Dr. Stephanie Wright is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY31575) in California. She received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University and her B.A. from Wake Forest University. Dr. Wright completed an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Anya Jessum
Anya Jessum is a PsyD doctoral student at Alliant International University with an emphasis on family and children. She has been working with Social Detective Academy since 2017 leading groups, coaching students and helping run summer camp. Anya also has years of experience facilitating art classes with neurotypical and neurodiverse populations.
Philosophy
This generation of youth faces more challenges then ever before. Social and emotional demands, peer pressures, cultural complexities and exposure to the vast amount of information and perspectives that are offered to us in our technological age puts demands on youth like never before. These challenges and demands have the potential of creating a great deal of problems for our youth if not paired with the skills to cope both socially and emotionally. But with proper skills these challenges and demands have the potential of creating a generation of adults who have tremendous capacity to mange and make sense of the increasing complexity the modern world presents. By developing better social and emotional intelligence we can help kids be healthier, happier and better functioning members of society. We here at SDA are deeply committed to that goal.
Research: Social/Emotional intelligence is a strong predictor of success later in life
Social/Emotional Intelligence has been found to be:
Four times more important than IQ in determining professional success and prestige. (Berkeley 40-year longitudinal study, 1998)
The strongest predictor of performance in the workplace – much higher than IQ and personality traits. Studies suggest that 58% of performance can be accounted for by this. (Bradberry and Greaves, 2010)
A key factor in presidential success and efficacy (Greenstein, 2001)
Strongly correlated with higher earning potential. On average $29,000 more a year. (Bradberry and Greaves, 2010)
Questions about the program?
Sponsor a Child
“The potential possibilities of any child are the most intriguing and stimulating in all creation.”
— Ray L. Wilbur, third president of Stanford University
Here at Social Detective Academy, we strongly believe in importance of Emotional Intelligence training for both kids’ future success and the future of our world. Unfortunately camp fees are often beyond the reach of many local kids, so we are very grateful for your help.
Note that you can donate as much or as little as you wish and either sponsor a specific local child ($350), or donate any amount you wish into a general scholarship fund. 100% of your sponsorship will go towards a kids’ summer social detective adventure.
You will be updated about their progress and fun the kids are having this summer at camp. Knowing that a child in need who will get to learn and have a summer adventure like no other is a wonderful feeling, trust us we know 🙂
- We offer engaging and interactive activities and group discussions designed to increase awareness, self regulation, creativity, mind/body connection and social/emotional aptitude. Campers get to build their own social detective skills by solving social mysteries based on activities of the day. Through yoga and mindfulness activities, campers will develop their own tool kit to manage stress.
- Please Contact Us or see FAQs below for more information.We are looking forward to spending the summer with you!
Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions
What are Social Detective Adventure Camps all about?
Through adventure and exploration, kids refine their leadership skills, develop empathy, and deepen their relationships with self and others. Our award winning, road tested methodology drives the camp activities but it is mostly behind the scenes. For kids the camp is primarily about having fun.
What’s a typical day like at camp?
A typical day will include social detective skill building, cooperative and competitive activities, optional animal interactions as well as art projects, yoga, dance, music and kid friendly meditation games and practices.
What’s the process for signing up?
We offer a personalized approach to ensure the best fit possible. The first step is to register with Activityhero. We will then ask you to share your thoughts about your child to make sure they are group ready and that our camp will work for them. Please contact us us to learn more.
What are the hours?
Our hours are 1:15-3:15, Monday, Thursday and Friday
Who leads the camp?
Groups will be led by qualified and trained instructors while fun summer activities will be led by our awesome counselors, with instructors observing. Dr. Jessum will supervise all staff and will lead some groups as well.
Contact Us
Contact Us
What’s the age range for the camps?
Typically campers are 6-12 years old but we do offer exceptions. Please contact us for more information
Who is this camp for?
Elementary aged kids who want to grow in self-awareness, empathy, mindfulness and leadership skills all while having a lot of adventures and fun. If you have any questions about your child’s fit with our program, we’d be happy to discuss this with you, but generally we’d be happy to accommodate group ready kids. We offer a variety of activity options and close supervision which helps our kids to have fun, make new friends and develop their skills.