Group Therapy

Group therapy allows children and teens to access the individualized care they deserve in a supportive environment alongside their peers. At Pediatric POST in Crystal Lake, Illinois, the team use social groups to help their patients develop healthy pragmatic language skills and improve their quality of life. Call the office today or schedule an appointment online to find out if group therapy is right for your family.

What is group therapy?

Group therapy involves a therapist working with more than one child in a safe, supportive setting. This therapy can help children improve their social and behavioral skills while strengthening their ability to manage emotions.

The mental health team at Pediatric POST tailors group therapy to meet your child’s unique needs and goals. They may incorporate various therapeutic techniques into their care plan, such as cognitive-behavioral or trauma-informed therapy. After a thorough evaluation, the team can determine whether your child may benefit from group therapy.

Are there different types of group therapy?

Pediatric POST offers multiple types of group therapy for children, including:

Play therapy

The team specializes in play therapy, offering DIRFloortime®. Play therapy provides a creative outlet for children to work through strong feelings, challenges, and problems. This play-based model involves caregivers playing on the floor with their children to meet them at their level.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy can help children target and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to improve their problem-solving skills. 

Social skills development

Social skills training focuses on improving your child’s interpersonal skills. This therapy can help children feel more confident when interacting with their peers, communicating with adults, and making friends.

Support groups

A support group joins children with similar experiences or challenges to help them communicate and solve problems in a supportive environment. The team can incorporate weekend social groups, baby and toddler groups, and music therapy groups into your child’s care plan.

Who benefits from group therapy?

Many children can benefit from group therapy. It can be particularly helpful for children to learn from their peers and interact with others. The team may recommend group therapy if your child:

• Has difficulty self-regulating their emotions
• Has trouble adapting to new environments, routines, and situations
• Experiences trauma or loss
• Finds maintaining friendships to be difficult
• Struggles with anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns

Children participating in group therapy can develop essential social skills, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and coping strategies to overcome obstacles in their life. 

Call Pediatric POST today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about group therapy.