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SEL Curriculum — Middle School · Girls & Boys

Two Programs.
One School.
Every Student Reached.

Culturally affirming, CASEL-aligned SEL curricula for middle school girls and boys, developed by a licensed therapist and a master educator with a combined 60+ years of experience. No generic programs. No one-size-fits-all. Programs built for the students your current SEL is missing.

GYC hero v3
For Girls
For Boys
The Problem We Solve

Generic SEL is Failing Your Students

Comprehensive behavioral health education for every student in your school or youth organization. Gender-specific, culturally responsive, and built for lasting change.

44%
Schools implement SEL systematically
88% of teachers want more SEL, but less than half have a structured, consistent program with a real scope and sequence.
2x
Black boys more likely to be suspended

Black boys are 8% of K–12 enrollment but receive 18% of out-of-school suspensions. Structured SEL reduces this by giving boys tools before behavior escalates.

40%
Teen girls report persistent sadness

CDC data indicate rising sadness and hopelessness among middle school girls. Voice loss and identity confusion begin before high school, and most SEL does not address this.

"Connection before correction. Belonging before behavior. Structure before shame."

Girl, You Cute!™ and Life in the Huddle™ are the only culturally affirming, therapist-and educator-developed SEL programs built specifically for middle school girls and boys of color, addressing the root causes of voice loss and behavioral disregulation, not just the symptoms. Together, they reach your entire student population.

Our Programs

Choose Your Program — or Both

Two complete, stand-alone programs — or purchase the bundle and serve your entire school community.

Option 1 — 8-Week Intensive

GYC 8-Week Program

After-school programs, advisory periods, summer intensives, or pilot programs before full adoption. Covers the foundational Voice Discovery phase.
BEST FOR:

Includes a complete facilitator toolkit, 8 session guides, safety protocols, parent communication, and admin briefing documents.

Option 2 — Full Academic Year

GYC 36-Week Curriculum

The complete school year, September through June. All three phases, nine units, and 36 fully planned sessions with the V.O.I.C.E. Method™ and Mirror Method™.
BEST FOR:

Includes everything in the 8-Week plus full scope & sequence, Mirror Method™ curriculum, Legacy Project, district outcome reporting, and quarterly check-in with Dr. Clarke.

10-Session Program · Middle School Boys Ages 11–14

Life in the Huddle™

A complete 10-session SEL curriculum built around Dr. Clarke's "Hold It → Get It → Close It" methodology. CASEL-aligned. Flexible timing for 45 or 60 minute sessions.
ALL 10 SESSIONS — CASEL ALIGNED:

By Dr. Gregory Clarke Sr., MS.Ed., D.Min., 8 years in the classroom plus 30+ years coaching on football fields, leading in ministry, and working in community programs. Built for school, after-school, and community settings.

Life in the Huddle™ (For Boys)
✦ Best Value ✦ Serve Your Entire School

Girl, You Cute!™ + Life in the Huddle™

Created by Dr. Cheryl Clarke, LMFT, PhD, and Dr. Gregory Clarke Sr., MS.Ed., D.Min. The only culturally affirming SEL bundle that reaches your complete middle school population. Both programs. Girls and boys. One school. One purchase.
GYC for Girls LITH for Boys CASEL Aligned Family Engagement Title IV-A Eligible
Schools save when bundling
GYC + LITH
Together for less
Every License Includes

Everything Your Facilitators Need

No additional purchases. No ongoing fees. Everything is included with the license.
session plans

Complete Session Plans

Every session is fully planned. Objectives, activities, discussion prompts, timing guides, and facilitator notes. Open and teach.

user-guide

Facilitator Scripts & Language Guides

Exact language for opening, teaching, discussion, and closing. What to say, what NOT to say, and how to handle difficult moments.

safety

Safety & Referral Protocols

Red flag checklists, mandatory reporting guidance, referral decision trees, and crisis response frameworks are district-compliant.

family

Family Engagement Materials

Parent and caregiver letter templates, take-home connections for every session, and family communication guides. Ready to send.

administration

Administrator Package

Principal one-pager, program outcomes framework, CASEL documentation for approval submissions, and implementation timeline.

outcome

Outcome Tracking Tools

Pre/post reflection instruments, session exit tickets, and district-ready reporting templates documenting student growth.

How Schools Fund These Programs

Both GYC and LITH are eligible for multiple federal and state funding streams. Share this with your district finance or grants team.

Title IV-A (ESSA)
Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants. The most common federal source for SEL curriculum. Both programs are Title IV-A eligible.
Title I Part A
For schools serving high-need populations. Both programs are specifically designed for the communities Title I was built to serve.
Title IV-B (21st Century)
Funds for after-school programs. Ideal for both the GYC 8-Week Intensive and the LITH 10-session program in after-school settings.
State Wellness Grants
Many states offer annual grants for SEL and mental health programming. Both programs qualify under most state criteria.
Purchase Orders Accepted
We accept school and district POs. MWBE certification qualifies these programs for NYC and many other city/state procurement preferences.
Foundation Grants
We provide letters of support for grant applications. Many community foundations fund culturally specific SEL programs. These qualify.
Schools Are Building 2026–2027 Budgets Now

Ready to Bring These Programs to Your School?

Request a quote today and we will respond within 24 hours with a full program overview, implementation guide, and budget justification document ready for your finance team.
✦ Title IV-A Eligible ✦ POs Accepted ✦ MWBE Certified ✦ NYC DOE Compatible
Let's Talk

Start the Conversation

Whether you're interested in a pilot partnership, speaking engagement, or community organization program, we're here and ready to connect.

Reach Us Directly

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Serving the NYC Metro Area — and expanding nationally. Virtual programming available for organizations anywhere in the U.S.

Available For:

MWBE Certified
NYC PASSPort Registered
Purchase Orders Accepted
W-9 Available on Request

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Going Beyond the Couch

Behavioral health education for young people. Delivered where they already are. Empowering voices, building leaders, and transforming communities one program at a time.

© 2026 Going Beyond the Couch, LLC
NYC Metro Area · Expanding Nationally

Empowerment Education Using Therapeutic Principles
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

© 2026 Going Beyond the Couch, LLC
NYC Metro Area · Expanding Nationally

Empowerment Education Using Therapeutic Principles
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use