The Boys’
Institute for Growth
Building and enhancing relationships between boys and their families, peers, and the communities in which they live
I’m a parent/trusted adult who’s interested in…
The in-person or online BIG Talks for Boys.
Individual and family therapy services to provide support in managing social, emotional, or behavioral struggles.
Welcome To BIG
BIG is a place where boys and parents come to learn and grow. It is for boys with common, everyday struggles like fitting in, dealing with peer pressure, or coping with divorce, as well as for those boys with more significant difficulties like ADHD, depression, anxiety, social isolation, and acting out in destructive ways.
For pre-teen and teen boys, BIG offers a chance to learn about “being male” and its wide-ranging meaning to cope with and express feelings, to make and keep good friends, and to relate more effectively with parents and siblings. Another part of BIG’s philosophy is to help boys understand, develop, and nurture their relationships with both girls and boys.
For parents, BIG provides the opportunity to learn about how boys tend to operate without pigeonholing them into traditional gender stereotypes. Parents also learn about how the larger culture influences boys and their concepts of masculinity, and what they can do to help their sons think deeply about what it means to be a man in the 21st Century. They also come to get support from other parents who may be in similar spots: wanting to be closer to their sons, feeling confused about how to effectively parent their boys, or maybe just feeling alone in their everyday struggles as busy caregivers. BIG helps parents feel less isolated and more connected to others who know about the ups and downs of parenting boys.
It’s BIG’s Mission To:
Support
Promote emotional, social, and educational growth in boys of all ages through specialized individual/family/group therapy, peer-to-peer support, and skill building.
Empower
Empower caregivers of boys to reach their potential as parents and further enhance their relationships with their boys through focused education, parent-to-parent support, and directly working with parents and boys in therapy.
Promote
Promote awareness within the San Diego community about relevant and meaningful issues pertaining to boys through community-based trainings and activities.
Educate
Promote professional growth for colleagues and community leaders who work with boys through cutting-edge training events that address boys’ issues that include modern-day best practices.
Featured Podcast
Having BIG Conversations with Boys
Boys need – and deserve – all of the same conversations that girls get (and deserve!): they want to learn about their changing bodies, express their ideas, and make sense of their realities. Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Miller offers a path forward based on 25 years of working with boys and their families.
Our Services
The BIG Talks (In Person)
The BIG Talks are in-person sessions for boys in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades, focused on puberty, reproduction, and adolescent changes. These sessions, attended by boys and their parents, provide essential information and encourage ongoing conversations.
Click the button to learn more about our full session details and topics.
The BIG Talks (Remote)
The BIG Talks are now offered as virtual sessions, accessible to boys in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades anywhere in the U.S. These online sessions focus on puberty, reproduction, and adolescent changes, providing essential information. Designed for boys and their parents to attend together, they encourage open discussions from the comfort of home, no matter where you are.
Click the button to learn more about our full session details and topics.
Individual & Family Therapy
Individual/family therapy starts with a 90-minute consultation with Dr. Miller to discuss your concerns and gather background information. Afterward, an initial session for your son is scheduled. Dr. Miller then meets with your son for 2-3 sessions to assess his strengths and struggles. Rating scales or self-report measures may be used to evaluate his social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. These results are reviewed with both your son and you, and treatment goals are developed collaboratively.
Our Staff
Christopher Miller, Ph.D.
Dr. Christopher Miller is the Founder and Director of BIG and has worked throughout southern California as a clinical psychologist with children, teens, and families since 1999.
Leslie Miller, Ph.D.
Dr. Leslie Miller is a licensed psychologist and certified cognitive therapist with over 18 years of experience treating children and their families.
The BIG News Blog
Part of BIG’s mission is to find and distribute relevant and useful boy-related content to parents and those who work with boys. The BIG News Blog is where you can find this content, so check back regularly to look for updated posts from Dr. Miller.
All of the BIG News Blog posts can be found on the BIG Facebook page as well.
Shifting Timelines: Why Are Kids Hitting Puberty Earlier?
Yet another reason why parents and caregivers should talk to their children about puberty earlier than once thought: their children are starting puberty at earlier and earlier ages. Last month, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a Harvard...
Engaging and Partnering with Your Child’s School About Their Sexual Health Education
With spring here, most schools and school districts begin rolling out their sex education curricula for elementary, middle, and high school-aged students. Parents and caregivers may get notifications from the school about the upcoming lessons, some details about what...
Some Important Do’s and Don’ts When Answering Your Child’s Questions About Sex
Where do babies come from? How did I get into your belly, and how did I get out? Why do boys have penises and girls have vaginas? What’s an erection? What’s a period? What is sex, and how old do you have to be to have sex? Why do people even have sex? How come…………...
Are you ready to take the next BIG step?
BIG offers a variety of services for boys and young men ages 5 and above, their caregivers, and those who work with boys in different settings. Click the button to get started.