What is group therapy for kids?

Group therapy for kids is a supportive therapeutic setting where children learn emotional regulation, social skills, communication, and coping strategies alongside peers. Through guided activities, discussions, and play-based exercises, children practice expressing themselves, solving problems, and building confidence in a safe environment.

What issues can child group therapy help with?

Child group therapy can support children struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, social difficulties, impulsivity, communication challenges, and peer relationships. It helps kids learn healthier ways to express feelings, manage frustration, and build meaningful connections.

How does group therapy improve a child’s social skills?

Group therapy improves social skills by allowing children to practice communication, teamwork, listening, sharing, and conflict resolution with peers. They receive guidance from a therapist and real-time opportunities to apply new skills in a supportive, structured setting.

What age groups can join group therapy at Resilient Mind Psychotherapy?

Resilient Mind Psychotherapy offers several child group therapy programs for ages 6 through 13, including emotional processing groups, self-esteem groups, girls’ empowerment groups, and a specialized group for homeschooled children. Teen social anxiety groups are also available for ages 15–16.

How is group therapy different from individual therapy for kids?

Individual therapy focuses on one-on-one emotional exploration, while group therapy provides a social environment where children practice communication, build friendships, and learn from peers. Both approaches support emotional regulation and confidence, but group therapy adds the benefit of real-time social interaction.

Who leads the child group therapy sessions?

All child group therapy sessions at Resilient Mind Psychotherapy are facilitated by trained mental health professionals, including licensed therapists, mental health counselors, and supervised clinical interns who specialize in children’s emotional and social development.

Group Therapy & Social Skills Groups for Kids in Brooklyn

Finding the right support for your child’s social and emotional growth is a major step. At Resilient Mind Psychotherapy in Bay Ridge, our group therapy programs provide a warm, structured environment where children can build confidence, navigate new friendships, and overcome challenges together.

Each group is led by licensed mental health professionals who guide children through activities focused on emotional regulation, communication, and resilience. Through creative exercises and interactive discussions, kids in our Brooklyn sessions discover they aren’t alone—making the process of growing together both empowering and healing.

Whether your child is navigating social anxiety, shyness, or low self-esteem, we offer the practical tools and community support they need to thrive socially and emotionally.

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

Understanding and expressing feelings is a vital part of a child’s development, yet many children lack the specific language to explain what they are going through. Our Creative Arts Therapy Group in Brooklyn offers a supportive space where kids can develop emotional awareness through hands-on activities and guided peer interactions.

In this 8-week child therapy program, children explore weekly themes focused on recognizing feelings and building healthy coping mechanisms. Each session at our Bay Ridge office includes a creative arts project, allowing children to express themselves in a way that feels natural and safe. We conclude every group with a supportive sharing circle, where children practice active listening and reflection.

Through play, art, and collaborative exercises, children learn how to:

Identify and express complex emotions with confidence.
Build practical emotional regulation and coping skills.
Strengthen social skills through positive peer interaction.
Develop resilience and self-awareness in a group setting.
Connect their inner experiences to healthy, positive behaviors.

This group is ideal for Brooklyn families looking for a structured, creative environment where their child can understand their emotional world while building community. Each session is led by an experienced mental health professional dedicated to fostering growth in a warm, therapeutic space.

The group will be:

Self-Esteem & Confidence Group for Children (6 Weeks)

Many children struggle with self-expression, confidence, and knowing how to communicate their needs effectively. Low self-esteem can make it difficult for kids to speak up in school or navigate friendships—challenges that sometimes manifest as frustration, impulsivity, or withdrawal.

Our Cultivating Self-Esteem Group is a supportive 6-week child therapy program in Brooklyn designed to help kids develop confidence from the inside out. Through teamwork exercises and guided creative projects at our Bay Ridge office, children learn to express themselves clearly, manage impulses, and build a stronger sense of self-worth.

Each session combines structured learning with therapeutic play, allowing children to:

Practice communication 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 complex emotions easier to understand.

With a focus on connection and emotional growth, this group helps Brooklyn children feel more capable and grounded in who they are—both at home and in school.

The group will be:

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:

Social-Emotional & Social Skills Group (Ages 6–8)

Young children often experience intense emotions but lack the vocabulary or coping strategies to manage them effectively. Our Emotional Processing Group in Brooklyn provides a safe, nurturing environment where children ages 6–8 learn to understand their feelings, express themselves clearly, and connect with peers sharing similar experiences.

In this ongoing child group therapy program, each session at our Bay Ridge office begins with a simple feelings check-in. Through playful therapeutic activities and guided discussions, children build vital 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 and challenges.
Practice essential communication skills like speaking and active listening.
Learn how to navigate conflict and collaborate through teamwork.
Build empathy and respect for different perspectives.
Gain confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings.

This environment naturally supports social development. By “bouncing ideas” off one another and reflecting as a group, kids give meaning to their emotions in a way that feels empowering. Over time, participants become better equipped to manage frustration, respond to challenges, and form healthier, more resilient relationships.

This group is:

Empowerment & Self-Esteem Group for Preteen Girls (Ages 11–13)

As girls enter early adolescence and middle school, they often face a new set of social and emotional pressures—ranging from academic stress and peer comparison to body-image concerns and bullying. These challenges can significantly impact a young girl’s confidence and overall mental well-being.

Our Girls’ Cultivating Self-Esteem Group in Brooklyn provides a supportive, empowering environment where girls ages 11–13 can explore their identities and strengthen their social-emotional skills. Through guided discussions and collaborative activities at our Bay Ridge office, participants learn how to express themselves authentically and build meaningful connections with their peers.

Each session is designed to foster growth through:

Emotional Awareness: Feelings check-ins that help girls identify and name their internal experiences.
Open Dialogue: A sharing circle where girls can talk openly about their challenges without judgment.
Confidence Building: Lessons on self-worth, resilience, and shifting toward positive self-talk.
Social Skills: Communication games that build stronger interpersonal skills and peer boundaries.
Connection & Empathy: Group exercises that foster a sense of community and shared understanding.

This therapy group for preteen girls helps participants navigate peer pressure and develop healthier coping strategies. By practicing communication and emotional regulation within a supportive circle, they build a foundation for long-term confidence and mental health.

This group is:

Social Anxiety Group for Teens in Brooklyn (ACT-Based)

Social anxiety can make everyday experiences feel overwhelming for adolescents. Whether it’s speaking up in class, starting a conversation, or forming new friendships, anxiety often limits a teen’s ability to participate fully and feel confident in who they are.

Our Teen Social Anxiety Group in Bay Ridge provides a structured and compassionate environment where young people can learn to manage anxiety and build social confidence within a supportive peer community. This therapy group is specifically designed for teens navigating a fear of judgment, social avoidance, or physical symptoms like a racing heart or shaking during social interactions.

The program is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a research-supported approach that helps teens:

Understand and accept difficult thoughts and emotions without being controlled by them.
Reduce avoidance behaviors that often keep anxiety in place.
Build psychological flexibility—the ability to act according to their values, even when feeling anxious.
Practice mindfulness and grounding techniques for real-world situations.
Develop practical social skills for navigating Brooklyn’s complex social environments.

Led by a clinical intern and supervised by a licensed mental health professional, this group teaches teens that they don’t need to eliminate anxiety to lead meaningful lives. Instead, they learn 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.

Social Skills & Socialization Group for Homeschooled Kids (Ages 7–9)

Homeschooled children often benefit from consistent opportunities to connect with peers and practice social-emotional skills in a structured, supportive environment. Our Homeschooled Children’s Group in Brooklyn provides a welcoming space where kids ages 7–9 can learn, share, and grow through guided discussions, therapeutic play, and creative art activities.

Led by an experienced mental health professional at our Bay Ridge office, this group focuses on building the foundational social skills necessary for healthy development. Through interactive exercises, participants learn to express their feelings, understand the emotions of others, and navigate peer interactions with greater confidence.

In our Brooklyn homeschool sessions, children develop essential life skills, including:

Self-Regulation: Learning to manage “big feelings” in a calm and healthy way.
Social Problem-Solving: Effectively working through disagreements and peer challenges.
Emotional Intelligence: Recognizing and naming emotions in themselves and others.
Cooperation: Practicing patience, turn-taking, and collaborating on group projects.
Self-Esteem: Building the confidence to express themselves authentically in a group setting.

Strengthening these abilities not only supports social development but also helps children build stronger relationships and long-term resilience. Our program is designed to complement your child’s educational journey with the community support they need to thrive socially.

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.

Group Therapy & Social Skills Groups for Kids in Brooklyn

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

The group will be:

Self-Esteem & Confidence Group for Children (6 Weeks)

The group will be:

Emotional Intelligence for Teens Summer Group

Social-Emotional & Social Skills Group (Ages 6–8)

This group is:

Empowerment & Self-Esteem Group for Preteen Girls (Ages 11–13)

This group is:

Social Anxiety Group for Teens in Brooklyn (ACT-Based)

This group is:

Social Skills & Socialization Group for Homeschooled Kids (Ages 7–9)

This group is:

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