Art-Based Social Skills & Emotional Processing Group (8 Weeks)

Many children navigate a world of “big emotions” without the vocabulary to explain what they are feeling. When a child struggles to communicate their internal world, it often manifests as frustration at home, withdrawal in the classroom, or difficulty connecting with peers.

At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy in Bay Ridge, we believe that art provides a bridge where words often fail. Our Art-Based Social Skills & Emotional Processing Group is a specialized 8-week program designed for children in Brooklyn who need a creative, structured environment to build confidence and emotional intelligence.

What is Art-Based Emotional Processing?

Unlike traditional “talk therapy,” art-based processing allows children to externalize their feelings. By using clay, paint, drawing, and mixed media, children can “show” their emotions before they have to “tell” them. This approach is particularly effective for children ages 7–10 who may feel overwhelmed by direct questioning but thrive when given a creative task.

In a group setting, this process is amplified. When children see their peers creating and sharing, it reduces the sense of isolation. They realize that they aren’t the only ones who feel anxious, angry, or confused. This shared experience is the foundation of building lasting social skills.

Why a Group Setting for Social Skills?

While individual therapy is excellent for deep personal work, a group environment is the “laboratory” where social skills are actually practiced. In our Brooklyn-based sessions, children get to:

• Practice Real-Time Interaction: Navigating a shared art table requires patience, sharing, and communication.

• Develop Empathy: Watching a peer express a feeling through art helps children recognize and respect perspectives different from their own.

• Build Resilience: Working through a creative project—and sometimes making “mistakes” in their art—teaches children how to handle frustration in a safe space.

• Strengthen Peer Connections: For children who struggle with shyness or social anxiety, the art project acts as a “buffer,” making it easier to engage with others without the pressure of a one-on-one conversation.

The 8-Week Journey: What to Expect

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to move from basic emotional safety to complex social problem-solving. Each 60-minute session at our Bay Ridge office follows a consistent structure: a warm-up check-in, a guided creative arts project, and a supportive sharing circle.

Who is This Group For?

This program is specifically tailored for children in the Brooklyn area who may be experiencing:

• Difficulty making or keeping friends.

• Challenges with emotional regulation or “big outbursts.”

• Social anxiety or extreme shyness in group settings.

• Low self-esteem or a negative “inner critic.”

• A preference for creative expression over verbal communication.

By the end of the eight weeks, our goal is for every child to leave with a “toolbox” of coping strategies and the confidence to navigate their social world more effectively.

Pricing, Insurance, and Registration

We believe that high-quality mental health support should be accessible to Brooklyn families. Our group therapy programs are designed to be both effective and affordable.

Insurances Accepted

We are proud to be in-network with the following providers:

• Cigna

• Aetna

• Fidelis Care

• 1199SEIU

Self-Pay Options

For families not using insurance, the cost is $50 per session.

Location & Schedule

All sessions are held in our “aesthetic and calming” office located at:

541 Bay Ridge Parkway, Suite LL, Brooklyn, NY 11209.

Groups typically meet on Thursdays at 4:00 PM. Please contact our intake coordinator to confirm the start date for the next 8-week cycle.