Today more than ever, young people need critical social skills to effectively navigate through interpersonal exchanges in order to successfully relate to peers and adults as well.  Be it in the classroom, on the playground, when applying to college or jobs, and even when dating, young people need competent social skills to compete in a new global world.  Kids who lack social skills are at a distinct disadvantage that may not be balanced by intelligence, wealth, or good looks.

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Social skills include a set of behaviors, postures, vocal styles, and personal qualities that promote successful interactions with others.  While some children seem to have a natural ability to interact well and build friendships, others have more difficulty with such tasks.  These children might feel shy, awkward, or unsure around their peers.  Sometimes children are simply unaware of how to conduct themselves properly, or they may lack the self-control to effectively execute pro-social behaviors.  Shyness or anxiety might hinder socialization for others.  Regardless of the cause, many children experience difficulty making and keeping friends.

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By grouping children according to age and ability to gel with one another, the goal of my Friendship Therapy Groups is to heighten each child’s self-awareness and to foster the development of adaptive skills that ultimately promote effective communicating and relating with others.  These groups create the opportunity for children and teens to develop social skills and adaptive behaviors that promote harmonious, more satisfying relationships with peers, siblings, and adults.  Friendship Group Therapy is available to children ranging in age from 8 through 18.  When I formulate each group, I personally select no more than 6 children who are close in age (there are typically 18 months or less between the oldest and youngest group members).  Children in any single group will always come from different communities, ensuring each participant has a fresh start with the other children in my group.  All group participants have individual strengths and challenges so that they will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills while observing others demonstrate their own skills.  My experience shows that not only do children benefit by learning from each other, they truly enjoy each other’s presence, and feel more comfortable sharing insights and experiences; consequently, they build stronger relationships within the group.  The group experience offers children the chance to share feelings and ideas in a safe and comfortable environment.  In a group format, children are eager to hear each other’s opinions and tend to respect their peers’ feedback far more than the feedback offered by parents or teachers.

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Typically, all youth groups, regardless of the age of the participants, are structured in weekly hour-long sessions.  First children begin the session with a warm-up activity, geared to drawing children toward sharing and exploring themselves and each other. Next, there will be an activity geared toward a particular theme.  Activities may include role-playing, guided communicating, game playing, behavioral rehearsal, and open sharing.  Opportunities exist for participants to discuss relevant issues and concerns of their own.  Finally, group members process the group session aloud and then offer feedback regarding themselves other children in the group.

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Personalized parent feedback sessions occur approximately every 6 to 8 weeks, or upon parental request.  This affords the opportunity for parents to provide feedback regarding their children’s progress, and for the psychologist to offer insights and feedback based on in-session behavior and overall performance.  Individual and/or family therapy is also available when such needs arise.  For children who participate in outside psychotherapy with another psychologist, consultation is available to effectively coordinate the therapies.

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Friendship Therapy Groups meet on a weekly basis, occurring at the same time for an hour each week.  Groups will most likely take place somewhere between the hours of 4:00 to 8:00, Monday through Thursday.  The success of the group, and the success of each and every participant, is highly contingent upon your child’s regular attendance.  Each child plays an integral role in the group’s dynamics as well as the maintenance of continuity for the whole group experience.  For these reasons, attendance is mandatory.

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To explore the social skills group therapy experience further, to discuss your child, or to schedule an appointment, please contact me at 908-222-1099.

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Friendship Groups

Today’s young people struggle more than ever to establish and maintain healthy relationships among peers. Relying heavily on Social Media, children of the millennia fail to develop important 'people’ skills that promote both effective communication and meaningful socialization. Instead of relating to one another in 'real-time,' young people use electronic devices that delay interaction so teens lose important social cues in the translation of spoken words to typed text. There are fewer opportunities to develop social skills, leaving many young people ill-equipped to navigate complex social situations. Anxiety, isolation, and social rejection are the result.

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Teens, pre-teens, and younger children all benefit from Friendship Group Therapy. In a small group environment, children and teens learn self- and other-awareness. Group members demonstrate personal skills while helping their peers learn more about themselves. Bonding occurs when group members identify with one another and learn that they can form meaningful connections with other young people. My typical Friendship Group has young people close in age but from different communities, offering every participant the chance to have a fresh beginning with previously unfamiliar peers.

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My Friendship Groups provide peer support to develop social insight, confidence, communication skills, and more to children and teenagers who experience Social Anxiety, Low Self Esteem, Insecurity, ADHD, or other issues. By carefully screening candidates for both strengths and challenges, I form cohesive groups that meet weekly offering mutual support while exploring social and relationship issues. I directly lead all groups in a safe and confidential environment. Feedback to parents is available via confidential email and private feedback sessions. Depending on individual clients’ needs, consultation is available (upon parental request and consent) to referring psychologists and psychiatrists, school personnel, and physicians.

Contact me at 908-222-1099 to discuss your child’s needs, the Friendship Groups, or to schedule an appointment.

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Other Therapy Groups Available

Current groups available in my office include Friendship Group Therapy for children and teenagers. This group experience helps promote social awareness, build self-confidence and pro-social behavior, develop insight into relationships that can help enhance meaningful friendships. Women’s Group Psychotherapy offers women the opportunity to explore women’s issues in a safe and nurturing environment with other women. Topics may include identity, work issues, family relationships, and more.

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A new group experience coming soon to my practice is a Walking Group, which I tentatively call Walk with a Psychologist. In this group, Walk with a Psychologist, you may be invited to walk and talk with me, and together we can enjoy casual conversation about topics related to mental and behavioral health and overall well-being. Dates and times of this exciting new experience are not yet available. Once I select a date, time, and location, I will begin promoting this group that will combine the opportunity to speak with a psychologist with walking in the beautiful community we share.

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Another group under consideration would be for young adults who have difficulty transitioning from college to post-collegiate life. Today’s twenty-something adults experience heightened anxiety that may be due to difficulties finding a job, moving away from home (or returning home!), and forging adult relationships.

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If you are interested in any of these groups, please contact me at 908-222-1099 with any questions, to discuss your situation, or to schedule an appointment.