The Power of Counseling Groups for Children: Unlocking Potential and Fostering Growth

As a parent of 3 who is a licensed marriage and family therapist and specializes in working with children and teens, I know that I won't be able to be the only person to fill my child's mental health cup. I know I am vital to their mental well-being, but I'm not the all-encompassing golden ticket to their mental well-being.

Likewise, your child's teachers, coaches, mentors, pastors, aunts and uncles, and friends are not the only people who can ensure your child's mental wellness, but they are an essential part of it. 

Our children and teens are experiencing a tone of fast-paced life experiences that might be confusing, joyful, challenging, sad, or frustrating because that is the nature of life. Counseling groups are a fun way for kids and teens to have a positive space with their peers to explore their emotions, learn how to express themselves in positive, healthy ways, learn to problem solve, learn to love themselves more, and have a space just to be themselves without demands. 

Story Time

Nashville Summer Camps Social Emotional Counseling Groups 2024

This past summer, I was privileged to provide social-emotional counsel group services at Nashville summer camp for children ages 6 through 14. I ran three groups: ages 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 14. These groups were 60 minutes long, one time for one week and six weeks. The transformation was outstanding, and I expected nothing less from it because I believe in the transformative power of my work with children. Not only the work I do but the transformative power of social-emotional counseling groups. 

The camp director, whom I will call Janice to protect the camp's and the children's confidentiality, told me that by the end of week three of the counseling group, challenging camp behaviors had stopped altogether. Janice told me that she saw the children and teens telling other children to "stop and do a redo" or to "stop and think about it first" and that the children and teens were "using their words more and labeling the feelings" instead of yelling or saying mean or hurtful words.  At six weeks, the children and teens were more confident, kinder to one another, labeling emotions, helping each other and encouraging others to make positive choices.

Janice was amazed at what a total of 6 hours over six weeks could do with these children and teens. Might I add these children and teens' backgrounds came from families with limited resources, lots of family stressors, and generational traumas? I was so happy to hear the reports from the camp staff and director about the improvements they saw because it was also what I saw happening in the group counseling sessions.

 The Transformation In The Group Counseling Session

I watched for six weeks as the children and teens enthusiastically encouraged their peers to do a "do-over" when they crossed a boundary, spoke out of turn, mishandled big feelings, or did other things. They led the mindfulness and calm-down activities, practicing stepping out of their comfort zones, opening up, and sharing their feelings and experiences in their lives. They felt confident, empowered, heard, seen, and accepted by their peers and a trusted adult. They asked when I would be back. They were hungry for more. Counseling Groups are powerful transformation tools for so many!

My Social-Emotional Counsel Group Mojo

What's my recipe? What's the magic? What happens in these groups of mine? What on earth am I doing with these children and teens that are facilitating this amount of change?

1. Because I speak Kid and Teen, I am building connections and a healthy attachment with them. I am authentic and share a piece of who I am with them and why I do what I do.
2. I have fun with them and provide them with structure and safety.
3. I teach them social and emotional skills in a fun way. I role-play with them, use games, help them practice labeling feelings, and learn to problem-solve
4. I meet them where they are at and accept them as they are 
5. I challenge them to make better positive choices because I believe that they can 

At the core of my social-emotional counseling groups, from a fundamental skill-building perspective, I teach:

• I teach them how to notice what they are feeling and label it.
• I teach them skills to use to help calm down when they are feeling big feelings and teach them how to identify their big feelings before they are too difficult to handle
• I teach them how to practice changing their thinking to more positive thinking.
• I teach them the process of problem-solving
• I teach him how to make amends and try again| "redo."

Because I specialize in working with children and teens, I have experience offering groups with different core foundations. I've run the following groups:

• Anxiety Groups
• Trauma Groups
• Confidence Groups
• Social Emotional Groups
• Grief Groups
• ADHD groups

Since I expanded from a solo practitioner to a group practice, we now have a great team with the skills to work with children, teens, and adults individually and in groups. So be sure to visit often to see what groups we are offering. We currently have a fall tween group and a couples group!

CHECK OUT OUR COUNSELING GROUPS HERE

Additional Benefits of Group Counseling for Children and Teens:

1. Building Social Skills and Confidence

Counseling groups provide children a structured environment to learn and practice essential social skills. In a group setting, children interact with their peers, which can help them develop better communication skills, empathy, and the ability to navigate social dynamics. Through role-playing, group discussions, and collaborative activities, children gain confidence in expressing themselves and understanding others, paving the way for healthier relationships in and out of school.

1. Normalizing Experiences and Reducing Stigma

One of the most significant benefits of counseling groups is the opportunity for children to realize that they are not alone in their struggles. Hearing others share similar experiences can be incredibly validating and reassuring. This sense of commonality can help normalize their feelings and reduce the stigma of seeking help. It fosters an environment where children feel safe to open up about their challenges, knowing they are not alone.

2. Encouraging Emotional Expression and Coping Strategies

Counseling groups often incorporate activities and exercises to help children constructively express their emotions. Whether through art, storytelling, or guided discussions, these activities encourage children to articulate their feelings and experiences. Additionally, counselors can introduce coping strategies and problem-solving skills that children can apply within the group and in their daily lives. Learning these techniques in a group setting helps reinforce their effectiveness and provides a supportive framework for practice.

3. Fostering Peer Support and Community

One of the standout features of counseling groups is the sense of community they create. Children build connections with their peers, fostering a supportive network beyond group sessions. These relationships can be invaluable, offering emotional support and understanding that complements the guidance they receive from adults. The peer support dynamic often helps children feel more engaged and motivated to participate in their personal growth journey.

4. Enhancing Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution Skills

Counseling groups often tackle real-life issues and conflicts that children face, providing a platform to explore solutions collaboratively. Through guided discussions and activities, children learn to approach problems from different angles, consider various perspectives, and develop effective resolution strategies. These skills are beneficial in resolving conflicts within the group and translate to improved problem-solving abilities in everyday situations.

5. Promoting Resilience and Adaptability

Participating in counseling groups can also bolster a child's resilience and adaptability. By navigating group dynamics, facing challenges, and overcoming obstacles together, children learn to adapt to changing circumstances and bounce back from setbacks. This resilience is a crucial life skill that can help them manage stress, embrace new experiences, and approach challenges positively and proactively.

Counseling Groups

Counseling groups for children offer a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond the sessions themselves. From enhancing social skills and building confidence to fostering peer support and resilience, these groups provide a nurturing environment for children to grow, learn, and thrive. By investing in counseling groups, we address current challenges and equip our children with the tools they need for a successful and fulfilling future. Embracing the power of counseling groups can be a transformative step toward supporting our children's emotional and social development in meaningful and impactful ways.

Note: The benefits of group counseling in this blog post were written with the assistance of Chaptgpt. Thank you, technology! 

Shout Out: 

I want to thank Black Mental Health Village Benaias Esayeas, Founder and executive Director of BMHV, for trusting me to do the group counseling with the camp and the children and teens!

Please check out them out! Black Mental Health Village.