Group Therapy for Kids in Brooklyn: Social, Emotional & Confidence
Group therapy offers children a powerful way to build confidence, practice social-emotional skills, and feel supported by peers who understand what they’re going through. At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, our child group therapy programs create a warm and structured environment where kids can learn to express emotions, navigate friendships, and overcome challenges together.
Each group is facilitated by trained mental health professionals who guide children through activities that strengthen emotional regulation, communication, resilience, and problem-solving. Through shared experiences, creative exercises, and interactive discussions, children discover that they’re not alone — and that growing together can be fun, empowering, and healing.
Whether your child struggles with shyness, anxiety, low self-esteem, or difficulty connecting with others, group therapy provides practical tools and a supportive community to help them thrive socially and emotionally.
Children’s Emotional Processing with Creative Arts (8-Week Group)
Understanding and expressing emotions is an essential part of a child’s mental and social development — yet many kids don’t have the tools or language to explain what they feel. Our Children’s Emotional Processing with Creative Arts Group offers a fun, engaging, and therapeutic space where kids learn emotional awareness through hands-on activities and guided peer interactions.
In this 8-week child group therapy program, children explore weekly themes focused on processing daily experiences, recognizing their feelings, and building healthy coping skills. Each session includes a creative arts project designed to help children express themselves in ways that feel natural and safe. The group ends with a supportive sharing circle where children practice communication, reflection, and active listening.
Through play, art, and collaborative exercises, kids learn how to:
Identify and express emotions with confidence
Build emotional regulation skills
Strengthen social skills through peer interaction
Develop resilience and self-awareness
Connect their inner experiences to healthy behaviors
This group is ideal for children who benefit from structure, creativity, and community support. It helps them understand their emotional world while enjoying fun projects in a warm, therapeutic environment led by an experienced mental health professional.
The group will be:
- Facilitated by Stacy Savchuk, MHC-LP
- Open for minors ages 7 to 10
- Thursdays at 4pm
- Each session will last 60 mins
- Held in our beautiful and aesthetic office
- Insurances accepted (Cigna, Aetna, Fidelis Care, 1199SEIU) or $50 per session out of pocket
Children’s Cultivating Self-Esteem Group (6-Week Program)
Many children struggle with confidence, self-expression, and knowing how to communicate their needs. Low self-esteem can make it difficult for kids to speak up in school, ask for help, or navigate friendships — and sometimes these challenges show up as impulsivity, frustration, or withdrawal.
Our Children’s Cultivating Self-Esteem Group is a supportive 6-week child group therapy program designed to help kids develop confidence from the inside out. Through interactive activities, teamwork exercises, and guided creative projects, children learn how to express themselves clearly, manage impulses, and build a stronger sense of self-worth.
Each session combines structured learning with fun, therapeutic play, allowing children to:
Practice communicating in ways that feel safe and encouraging
Strengthen emotional regulation and impulse control
Build positive self-talk and self-awareness
Develop social skills through cooperative games and group discussions
Express feelings through art and creativity, making difficult emotions easier to understand
With a focus on connection, creativity, and emotional growth, this group helps children feel more confident, capable, and grounded in who they are — both at home and in school.
The group will be:
- Facilitated by psychotherapy intern Alyssa Salvesen
- Open for minors ages 7 to 10
- Tuesdays at 4pm
- Each session will last 60 mins
- Held in our beautiful and aesthetic office
- $50 per session
Emotional Intelligence for Teens Summer Group
Processing emotions is a vital part of a teenager’s mental health yet these inner dynamics are often ignored by mainstream schooling approaches. This 8-week group seeks to fill the void by teaching participants how to identify, process and manage emotions in an effective manner. Each session will include a check-in, a question prompt, and a sharing circling. Participants will learn how to connect to their bodies, verbalize their feelings, and formulate unique ways to channel them. Some topics that will be explored include feeling emotions in mind and body, communication, and interpersonal dynamics. The skills taught in this group will set a strong foundation for the creation of resilient mental health and emotional intelligence.
The group will be:
- Facilitated by Shift Shami Kamal, LMSW
- Open to ages 15 to 17
- Run for 6 consecutive weeks starting Monday 7/3/23 at 12pm
- Each session will last 60 mins
- Held in our beautiful and aesthetic office
- Insurances accepted Cigna & Aetna or $50 per session out of pocket or $360 paid upfront for 8 sessions
Children’s Emotional Processing Group (Ages 6–8)
Young children experience big emotions, but they often lack the words or coping skills to manage them effectively. Our Children’s Emotional Processing Group provides a safe, structured, and nurturing environment where kids ages 6–8 can learn how to understand their feelings, express themselves, and connect with peers who share similar experiences.
In this ongoing group therapy for kids, each session begins with a simple feelings check-in, allowing children to practice naming emotions they like, dislike, or find confusing. Through guided conversations and playful therapeutic activities, children learn emotional regulation skills they can use at home, in school, and with friends.
Working within a group format helps children:
Understand that others experience similar emotions
Practice communication skills by speaking and listening
Learn how to navigate conflict and teamwork
Build empathy and respect for different perspectives
Gain confidence expressing thoughts and feelings
The group environment naturally supports social development. Kids learn to “bounce ideas” off one another, reflect together, and give meaning to their emotions in a way that feels engaging and empowering. Over time, they become better equipped to manage frustration, respond to challenges, and form healthier relationships.
In a typical session, children will begin by sharing their experiences including the feelings they like and dislike. They will get a chance to both speak and actively listen to one another.
Through these facilitated interactions children will be able to feel, accept and manage their emotions. Being in a group environment helps children bounce ideas off one another while reflecting and giving meaning to their feelings. It also helps with interpersonal skills necessary for teamwork and conflict resolution.
This group is:
- Facilitated by Fabia DeMartino, MHC-LP
- Open to ages 6-8
- Mondays at 5:30pm
- 60 mins per session
- Held in our beautiful and aesthetic office
- Insurances accepted Cigna & Aetna or $50 per session out of pocket
Girls’ Cultivating Self-Esteem Group (Ages 11–13)
As girls move into early adolescence, they often face new emotional and social pressures — including body-image concerns, peer comparison, academic stress, bullying, and rising expectations at home and school. These challenges can impact confidence, emotional regulation, and overall mental well-being.
Our Girls’ Cultivating Self-Esteem Group provides a supportive, empowering environment where girls ages 11–13 can explore their identities, build confidence, and strengthen their social-emotional skills. Through guided discussions, creative exercises, and collaborative activities, participants learn how to express themselves authentically and connect with others in meaningful ways.
Each session includes:
A feelings check-in to help girls develop emotional awareness
A sharing circle where they can talk openly without judgment
Lessons and reflections on confidence, self-worth, and positive self-talk
Communication games that build interpersonal and social skills
Engaging group activities that foster connection, empathy, and resilience
This group therapy for preteen girls helps participants navigate peer pressure, strengthen self-esteem, and develop healthier coping strategies. By practicing communication and emotional regulation within a supportive peer group, they build a foundation for long-term confidence and mental well-being.
This group is:
- Facilitated by Fabia DeMartino, MHC-LP
- Open to girls ages 11-13
- Mondays at 6:30pm
- 60 mins per session
- Held in our beautiful and aesthetic office
- Insurances accepted Cigna & Aetna or $50 per session out of pocket
Teen Social Anxiety Group (ACT-Based Program)
Social anxiety can make everyday experiences feel overwhelming for teens. Whether it’s speaking in class, starting a conversation, joining a group, or forming friendships, anxiety can limit a teen’s ability to connect, participate, and feel confident in who they are.
Our Teen Social Anxiety Group offers a structured and compassionate environment where adolescents can learn how to manage anxiety, build social confidence, and practice communication skills — all within a supportive peer community. This group therapy for teens is designed specifically for young people who struggle with fear of judgment, avoidance of social situations, or physical symptoms like racing heart, sweating, or shaking when interacting with others.
The group is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a research-supported approach that helps teens:
Understand and accept difficult thoughts and emotions
Reduce avoidance behaviors that maintain anxiety
Build psychological flexibility — the ability to act according to their values, even when anxious
Practice mindfulness and grounding techniques
Develop real-life skills for navigating social situations
With guidance from a trained clinical intern supervised by a licensed mental health professional, teens learn that they do not need to eliminate anxiety to have meaningful relationships or try new experiences. Instead, they learn how to move forward with courage, authenticity, and greater emotional resilience.
This group is:
- Open to Teens ages 15-16 (with some flexibility based on developmental appropriateness)
- For those diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia Disorder, or those who generally struggle with anxiety in groups.
- Small group size of 4-6 teens
- Weekly 60 min session on Fridays at 5pm
- $20 per session
- $200 for 12 sessions; 2 sessions are free make-ups.
- Facilitated by a clinical student intern experienced in working with teens. To make it more accessible, the cost is significantly reduced. The intern is closely supervised and guided by a licensed mental health professional.
Homeschooled Children’s Group (Ages 7–9)
Homeschooled children often benefit from additional opportunities to connect with peers, practice social skills, and explore their emotions in a structured and supportive environment. Our Homeschooled Children’s Group provides a welcoming space where kids ages 7–9 can learn, share, and grow through guided discussions, art activities, and therapeutic play.
Led by a trained mental health professional, this group therapy for kids focuses on helping children build foundational emotional and social skills that support healthy development. Through interactive exercises and age-appropriate psychoeducation, participants learn how to express their feelings, understand others’ emotions, and navigate peer interactions with confidence.
Children in this group develop essential skills including:
Self-regulation: managing big feelings in a calmer, healthier way
Social problem-solving: working through disagreements and challenges
Emotional intelligence: recognizing and naming emotions in themselves and others
Patience and cooperation: taking turns, sharing, and collaborating
Confidence and self-esteem: feeling safe to express themselves authentically
Research shows that strengthening these emotional and social abilities helps children perform better academically, build stronger relationships, and develop long-term resilience.
This group is:
- Open to homeschooled children 7 to 9 years old (with some flexibility based on developmental appropriateness)
- Small group size of 4-6 children
- Weekly 60 min session on Wednesdays at 3pm
- $20 per session
- $100 for 5 sessions; 6th session is a free make-up.
- Facilitated by a clinical student intern experienced in working with teens. To make it more accessible, the cost is significantly reduced. The intern is closely supervised and guided by a licensed mental health professional.