Human beings are naturally wired for connection. From childhood through adulthood, our relationships deeply shape our emotional world, our capacity for empathy, and how we view ourselves. Healthy relationships don’t just support emotional growth. They also boost our physical health by offering protection against illness and enhancing overall well-being.
Children start learning important social skills right at home—their very first community. These early interactions within the family form the basis for future relationships. As they grow, friendships with peers become vital, significantly impacting their self-esteem and social development. Skills like making eye contact, taking turns, understanding different perspectives, and showing empathy are all honed through these peer relationships.
However, kids and teens dealing with ADHD, ASD, or other challenges often find making and keeping friends more difficult. Impulsivity, distractibility, and occasional aggressive behaviors can lead to misunderstandings and social rejection, limiting crucial opportunities for growth.
That’s where group therapy comes in as a powerful solution. Group therapy closely resembles everyday environments—family gatherings, schools, sports teams, and clubs—where kids naturally practice social skills. Within these safe and supportive group sessions, children and adolescents can try out new ways of interacting, receive immediate feedback, and learn from peers facing similar challenges. Group facilitators guide these interactions compassionately, demonstrating empathy and teaching participants how to recognize and adjust behaviors that might hinder positive relationships.
In a typical session, kids might practice recognizing emotions, interpreting nonverbal cues, and navigating tricky social situations. This is often done through role-playing, engaging games, and open discussions. These experiences significantly boost their ability to handle real-world interactions, enhancing self-awareness and empathy.
Research consistently shows that group therapy effectively reduces disruptive behaviors, improves anger management, and promotes positive social interactions. Perhaps most importantly, children and teens learn they’re not alone, building a sense of belonging and mutual support.
To amplify the benefits of therapy, we also offer groups for parents. Here, parents learn strategies to support and reinforce the skills their children gain, exchange valuable insights with others facing similar situations, and receive guidance from experienced facilitators.
I’m thrilled to announce two new groups starting this fall: one specially designed for young adults, and another focused on middle-school-age girls. To learn more about our current group offerings, please visit: https://oed.tvy.mybluehost.me/current-groups/.
Together, we can empower kids and teens to connect deeply, manage emotions effectively, and thrive socially—setting the foundation for lifelong emotional health and fulfilling relationships.
