Elementary Groups
Our office has two elementary groups currently running:
- Upper Elementary – Grades 3-5th
- Lower Elementary – Grades K-2nd
Our elementary counseling groups help give kids the extra support they need to feel happier and more connected to those around them. Parents are provided group progress, as well as skills for their family to practice at home in between group sessions. The groups are perfect for families who are ready to work on themselves, try new skills, and practice what they learn outside of group sessions.
This group might be good for your child if they have any of the following…
- Emotion regulation difficulties: Kids struggling with overwhelming emotions, mood swings, or intense reactions to stressors may be seeking support and guidance on how to manage their emotions more effectively.
- Relationship challenges: Kids who have difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships with peers or siblings may be looking for strategies to improve their communication skills.
- Impulsive behaviors: Kids who engage in impulsive or risky behaviors such as engaging in activities that lead to falls, talking to strangers, engaging in physical altercations with peers or siblings, lying, or stealing may be seeking help to develop alternative coping mechanisms that do not lead to negative consequences.
- Negative self–image: Kids who struggle with low self-esteem, self-criticism, or self-doubt may be looking for ways to challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs and develop a more positive and accepting self-concept.
- Feeling stuck or anxious: Individuals who feel stuck in unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving may be seeking a supportive environment where they can learn new skills and perspectives to help them make positive changes in their lives.
As a parent you are probably asking, is this a social skills group or will this group help my child with the big emotions they are feeling? Our answer is yes. The elementary groups for children who struggle can help children develop social skills while also addressing their emotional needs.
One reason why the group can serve both purposes is that social skills and emotional regulation are interconnected. When children struggle with emotions, it can impact their ability to form positive social relationships. Teaching children social skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and empathy can help them manage their emotions more effectively and create healthier relationships with others.
Additionally, addressing emotional needs can also help children develop better social skills. When children are struggling with big emotions, they may have difficulty controlling their behavior and responding appropriately in social situations. By teaching children emotional regulation skills, such as identifying and expressing their feelings in healthy ways, they can develop more self-control and be better able to navigate social situations. This can lead to improved social relationships and increased confidence in social interactions.
Addressing emotional needs and teaching social skills are both important components in helping children who struggle with problems, behaviors, and feelings.
What to expect
Investment of Time.
When enrolling your child to participate in our elementary groups, as the parent or caregiver ask yourself the question, do we have the time to dedicate to this opportunity?
Our elementary groups require a willingness to put in the investment of time, blocking out the weekly group in your calendar each week to transport your child, as well as ensuring their schedule is clear for them to attend rescheduling or not double-book responsibilities.
Caregiver involvement significantly impacts a child’s progress. We see caregivers as part of your child’s treatment team and that involvement is highly recommended. Involvement can lead to greater success in managing emotions and behaviors. Involvement can look like:
- reinforcing skills your child is working on in the group
- model for your child, you, or another adult in the home using skills they are working on in the group can lead to them mirroring your behaviors and creating a stronger bond between child and caregiver
- practice skills to build confidence, thus your child will more likely retain and use those skills in their daily life
- Provide weekly updates to the group therapist on how your child is doing, both positive progress and areas they continue to struggle in.
- Encourage your child’s elementary school to reach out to the office to provide updates and dialogue about any struggles they see.
Investment of Money.
Participating in the elementary group each week is $50/per session.
We do not bill insurance for our groups.
Groups are designed to be psychoeducational, skills development, and support. In general, skills groups are not covered by Medicaid or commercial insurance because they do not meet the criteria for “medical necessity.”
Kids are expensive. Extracurriculars, tutoring, clothes…and now you’re saying to yourself, there’s an expectation to pay for group counseling? We understand there is a financial impact of treatment on any household and can put a strain on the family’s finances.
As you know, mental health conditions can have significant impacts on a person’s life, including their ability to work, form relationships, and engage in daily activities. Without proper treatment, mental health conditions can worsen over time and become more difficult and expensive to treat, for example, IOP or hospitalization.
While it may be difficult to make financial sacrifices in the short term, the long-term benefits of treatment can be invaluable.
Complete form to start the conversation and explore the next steps!
Use the contact form to inquire about groups.
Weekly groups are $50/session
Due to the influx of referrals, please be patient with us, as we will respond as quickly as we can. The messages are checked daily, if you do not get a response in 24 hours please resubmit.
We appreciate you reaching out to us, we look forward to working with you!