It’s a common experience that adolescent years are a time when many young people may face challenges and withdraw from friends and family. These challenges can be internal, external, or both, but when communication grinds to a halt, those who care about them can feel shut out. It may be tempting to dismiss these behaviors as those of a typical adolescent, but there may be legitimate mental health concerns at play. A group therapy program for teens and children is an effective way to re-establish connections in a peer-to-peer setting to form a bond and support structure for every individual member of the group.
HillsidesCares provides behavioral health services to children, teens, and adolescents, including an adolescent group therapy program in Pasadena. Our adolescent group therapy program in California brings children and adolescents together to help them reach a common understanding, build a sense of accountability, and set mutually achievable goals.
Group counseling is only one of many mental health treatment programs available. Contact the HillsidesCares team today at 323.641.4842 to learn more about our other teen mental health programs.
Benefits of Choosing a Group Therapy Program
With HillsidesCares, we offer group therapy for teens and anyone between the ages of 6-17. While being an especially effective method with adolescents, the benefits of choosing to work through treatment as a group are nearly universal.
Socialization plays a significant role, especially since many clients working through their mental health issues can feel like their peers are incapable of understanding their struggles. Group sizes vary between five and 10 per group and include various ages depending on the activity.
Group Therapy Activities
Activities such as role-playing and outdoor recreation are fun ways to engage clients physically, mentally, and/or socially. In addition, common adolescent group therapy activities may include the following:
- Group discussions to encourage communication and build social skills
- Mindfulness exercises to increase awareness and reduce stress
- Team-building activities to foster cooperation and trust-building among group members
- Problem-solving activities to develop critical thinking and instill confidence
- Creative activities like art and music therapy provide alternative avenues of expression
At HillsidesCares, our group therapy program for teens also includes a psychoeducational component where participants learn about mental health issues, coping strategies, and healthy ways of managing their emotions. This not only helps them gain knowledge but also helps them take control of their own mental well-being.
The Power of Peer Support
One of the key benefits of group therapy is the power of peer support. When children and adolescents talk to their parents about their mental wellness, the age difference can be an obstacle to common ground and understanding.
Our specially-trained counselors and group therapy program seek to address this, and having discussions between clients of similar ages makes all the difference as far as perceived wisdom goes. Children and teenagers trust their peers and are generally more willing to accept feedback from others their age. Making friends is vital for understanding how clients can work through their own mental, behavioral, or emotional health.
Another benefit to working alongside peers towards similar goals is that when one group member achieves their goal, it becomes an especially potent motivator. Other members will see a peer meet their goal and feel more inclined to do the same, but they will also have a unique opportunity to ask how it was reached and learn from someone their age. It’s a valuable teacher exclusive to situations where multiple children or adolescents have a close connection built on trust, experience, and mutual understanding.
Reach Out to HillsidesCares Today for Group Therapy
If a young person is irritable, socially distant, or experiences outbursts of sudden emotion, there’s a good chance it’s something group therapy can help with. Depression, social anxiety, or any other source of low self-confidence can be treated by regular group therapy sessions mediated by caring professionals with years of experience.
If group therapy sounds appropriate for your child or adolescent, contact HillsidesCares online or call 323.641.4842 today. We can answer your questions or get you started with our enrollment process. We are here to help.