Social Skills groups support improving a child’s social interaction and communication skills in a group setting. The focus of our groups are to help children, teens and adolescents develop the social skills they need to thrive at school, in friendships and everyday life.
Social interaction is a vital part of childhood development, but many children don’t receive direct guidance on how to navigate it. Our experienced therapists create a supportive space where children and teens can learn the “hidden rules” of social behavior—those subtle, often unspoken cues that help them feel connected, confident, and understood.
Who would benefit?
Children, teens and adolescents who may need extra support in developing the tools to connect with others and thrive in social settings. Participants often include those who:
- Struggle with making or keeping friends
- Have difficulty reading social cues or understanding body language
- Experience anxiety or discomfort in group settings
- Find it challenging to initiate or maintain conversations
- Need help with emotional regulation or conflict resolution
- Are navigating transitions, such as starting school or entering adolescence
- Benefit from structured, guided practice in real-life social situations
These groups are especially helpful for children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), language delays, or other developmental differences, but they are also valuable for any child who could use a boost in social confidence.
Program goals include:
- Communication: Practice conversation skills, body language, and active listening.
- Building Friendships: Learn how to make friends, take turns, and work cooperatively.
- Manage Emotions: Develop tools for self-regulation, coping, and expressing feelings appropriately.
- Understand Social Norms: Explore the “hidden rules” of social interaction in school, community, and online settings.
- Solve Problems Respectfully: Navigate conflicts, practice empathy, and advocate for themselves with confidence.
Structure.
- Weekly 60-minute sessions for 8-10 weeks
- Small groups (4-6 participants)
- A safe supportive environment where every participant can feel seen, heard and encouraged
- Learning through play and engagement. Structured group activities are used to teach and reinforce social skills.
- Feedback is provided in real time through gentle constructive guidance.
- Peer learning allows children to learn alongside others build friendships and practice skills.
Our groups are thoughtfully tailored by age and developmental level: Each group is thoughtfully designed to meet participants where they are—whether they’re learning how to join a game on the playground or navigating peer pressure in high school.
- Preschool Language kids – These groups focus on early communication, turn-taking, parallel and cooperative play, and social engagement. (Read more about this in our Preschool Groups section.)
- Elementary-aged kids work on group problem-solving, perspective-taking, friendship building, and understanding social expectations in school and community settings.
- Tweens and teens explore more complex social situations, including peer dynamics, social media etiquette, assertive communication, and self-advocacy, helping them build independence and confidence in navigating social challenges.
For more information on a group or to be added to a waitlist for the next available group session contact us