Supporting the health, wellbeing and confidence of girls in boarding requires an understanding that goes beyond surface-level strategies. This webinar takes a holistic, evidence-informed approach to building self-belief in young females, drawing on both physiological and psychosocial perspectives.

Megan Dickinson explores how self-confidence can shift across adolescence and adulthood, unpacking common triggers and the timeline of challenges that can contribute to anxiety, disordered thinking and reduced self-belief. The session provides a clear, accessible explanation of female hormones and how they operate across the 28-day cycle, including the interaction between sex hormones and stress hormones and the impact this has on mood, behaviour, learning and wellbeing.

The webinar also delves into stress neuroscience and the role hormones play within psychological responses, helping staff better understand how stress manifests in girls and how it can influence motivation, relationships and self-perception. Megan addresses the concept of the “inner critic” and how negative self-talk can become embedded during key developmental stages.

Designed for boarding and school staff working with female students, this session offers practical strategies to help build self-belief, including developing self-awareness, fostering self-acceptance, strengthening positive self-talk and understanding the power of choice. Megan introduces the concept of the choice trajectory, providing staff with practical tools to support girls in making empowered decisions that reinforce confidence, resilience and wellbeing.