GROUPS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AND SOCIAL SKILLS/COUNSELING GROUPS. WHEN CAN MY CHILD BENEFIT FROM IT?
PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE GROUPS
The 8 to 11 year old age range is generally a playful time when children are, more or less, eager to engage in activities that are mentally and physically exciting. This is a period when the ability to connect, relate, and play successfully with peers becomes very important. This involves skills of cooperation, flexibility, frustration tolerance, listening and effective communication.
• The need to learn skills of effectively dealing with teasing and bullying becomes critical. Many children need to rehearse various responses to teasing, practice being assertive, without being overly selfish or boorish, and know when to report problems to adults.
• Entering the middle school years presents new developmental challenges. Adolescents need a firm foundation of social skills as the gravity of the peer group, in terms of its power as an influential force in their lives, increases tremendously. A primary concern becomes what peers think of them, in relation to how they feel about themselves. A group counseling situation offers a platform for peers to process their intense emotional concerns about identity and social role, and to practice relationship skills.
A major function of all the groups is to facilitate a deep sense of trust among the participants, which allows children to take the risks involved in sharing guarded feelings and giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback with peers.
GROUP COMPOSITION
- At present I offer counseling groups for 2 age ranges: ages 8 to 11 years, and 12 to 14 year olds. When possible more than one group is offered within those age brackets in order to further shape groups according to the strengths, social challenges, and maturity levels of the clients. The group size is 4 or 5 participants, mixed gender, with myself as facilitator.
REFERRALS
- Referrals to these groups come from many sources, most often from parents whose concerns have been heightened by reports from school staff regarding a child’s struggles in the social domain. By the time children reach the 3rd and 4th grade a significant gap between the general expectations for social behavior, and a particular child’s strained social functioning, becomes more glaring and problematic. Also children themselves sometimes complain to parents about a pattern of distress related to social experiences with peers, which prompts parents to explore resources for help.
- Referrals to the adolescent groups often result from a parent-school consultation as well but there is a different quality to the concerns. Social challenges for children during the middle school years many times involve more troubling current stressors and a deeper apprehension about how this might impact future success.
GROUP STRUCTURE
- The groups are conducted on a weekly basis, 50 minute sessions, usually for a semester-like duration. Assessment tools are utilized, and goals and rules established. An agenda is developed for each group with input from group members. An emphasis is placed on maintaining the integrity of the group at all times – one circle, one activity, one focus, one person speaks at a time.
- Lastly, the group composition, the structure, purpose, and function of the groups must result in an enjoyable time for the participants. Their motivation for continuing participation is a crucial factor regarding the success of the service. This is achieved through the use of role plays, group games and other fun and creative activities, as well as engaging the participants in taking responsibility for developing the curriculum and related activities.
If you would like to learn more about a group for your child or adolescent please feel free to call me at 973.783.6977 x33 .
