BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Teen Therapy Group

sOCIAL cONNECTIONS

Many of us experience some level of challenge with creating relationships that feel genuine and supportive. Especially for teens, when the need for acceptance and belonging is very high, not having strong social connections can prevent them from feeling good about themselves and their lives. This can lead to feeling depressed and isolated. 

signs your teen Could Benefit from support in creating more meaningful social connections

• They isolate themselves and feel lonely

• They have difficulty interacting in groups or with their peers

• They struggle to make plans to go out with friends

• They do not attend family outings

• They are shy to participate in classes

• They worry too much about how others perceive them

• They are afraid to speak up

• They have trouble accepting a compliment

• They struggle to try new activities that involve socializing with others

The good news!

Your teen does not always have to feel this way. With support and practice in connecting with others, self-confidence grows. As teens learn they are able to be uncomfortable and act anyway, their agency increases. They find they are able to have more fun doing things they enjoy and build closer friendships. Group therapy is the perfect place to get this support.

Why Group Psychotherapy

The purpose of group therapy is to help people form new relational patterns and new responses for creating connection with others. Group therapy is focused on talking through problems to identify current social and relational patterns that build awareness and confidence. When connecting with others, teens often assume the worst will happen, and they believe that others will judge, criticize, embarrass, or mock them. Instead of the worst happening, within-group therapy people can identify fear in relational and social settings and speak about it with the group. Group practice can help people interrupt unhelpful patterns and replace them with coping strategies that help people relate and connect with others.

Going to a group with others who would like to create more meaningful relationships helps people realize they are not alone. This creates a supportive environment that allows teens to open up and learn to become more comfortable in social situations.

details

Age range: 14 to 18 years old (currently enrolled in high school)

Start date: Start will be March - the exact date will depend on enrollment.

When: Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm

Where: Online via Zoom

Length: Weekly for 9 weeks

Cost: $90 per session

Therapists

Melanie Warning, LPC, has been working with youth for the past 10 years in therapeutic settings, and she holds the time of adolescence with reverence for its potency. Adolescence is a rite of passage, an in-between space, that can be a powerful pathway for growth. Melanie believes that the journey of adolescence, when held and supported with care and intentionality, can be a time to deepen into and discover one's unique gifts and expression in the world. This can allow for the creation of a strong foundation to support the transition into adulthood.

Rachel Fields, LPC, has been working in and with therapeutic groups for over 20 years. From this experience, she believes that the healing power of groups cannot be overestimated. Group therapy is especially powerful during the teen years when the need for acceptance and belonging with peers is so high. She is passionate about helping people connect in group by learning new, more effective ways to communicate while strengthening confidence and self-esteem through building supportive relationships with others.