Group Therapy

Social Skills Group for Ages 11–13 | Support from a Therapist & Educator

Social Skills Group for Ages 11–13 | Support from a Therapist & Educator

Is your child between the ages of 11 and 13 struggling with social interactions, communication, or emotional regulation? Do they find it challenging to make friends, navigate peer pressure, or express themselves clearly? You’re not alone—and neither are they.

Our Social Skills Group for preteens (ages 11–13) provides a warm, structured, and supportive space for children to develop and practice essential social and emotional skills. What makes this group truly unique is that it’s co-led by a licensed therapist and a professional educator, combining the power of mental health expertise with classroom-based social learning.

Whether your child is shy, highly sensitive, neurodivergent (such as ADHD or autism spectrum), or just needs help finding their voice, this group is designed to help them thrive—socially, emotionally, and academically.

Why Are Social Skills Important at Ages 11–13?

Ages 11–13 represent a critical developmental window. Preteens are transitioning from childhood into adolescence, and the expectations around social and emotional maturity increase significantly. Middle school is often a time when kids face:

  • Increased social pressure
  • Changes in friendships and group dynamics
  • Academic stress
  • Identity development
  • Emotional ups and downs

For many children, this can feel overwhelming. They may want to make friends but lack the tools or confidence. Others may misread social cues, struggle with group work, or respond impulsively during conflict. Without proper support, these challenges can affect their self-esteem, academic performance, and overall well-being.

That’s why a structured social skills group can make such a powerful difference. It helps children feel seen, understood, and equipped to handle the complex world of peer relationships.

Who Is This Group For?

  • This group is ideal for children ages 11 to 13 who:
  • Have difficulty initiating or maintaining friendships
  • Experience social anxiety or shyness
  • Struggle with reading body language or understanding social cues
  • React strongly to teasing or peer conflict
  • Have challenges with teamwork or group projects
  • Feel left out or isolated at school
  • Are neurodivergent (ADHD, autism, sensory processing differences, etc.)
  • Need extra support navigating middle school dynamics

Each child is welcomed exactly as they are. Our inclusive approach ensures that every participant feels safe, respected, and empowered to grow.

What Makes Our Social Skills Group Different?

👩‍⚕️ Co-Led by a Therapist and an Educator

Your child benefits from the combined expertise of a licensed mental health therapist and an experienced educator. This dual approach offers the best of both worlds: clinical insight and school-based strategies that work in real life.

  • The therapist helps kids process emotions, understand behaviors, and learn coping skills.
  • The educator models age-appropriate communication, reinforces group routines, and helps children generalize skills to classroom and academic settings.

Together, we provide a consistent, trauma-informed, and strengths-based environment tailored to the needs of middle schoolers.

Group Goals & Focus Areas

Our curriculum is grounded in evidence-based practices from social-emotional learning (SEL), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and developmental psychology. Key focus areas include:

Friendship Skills

  • How to start conversations
  • Understanding nonverbal cues
  • Joining and exiting group activities
  • Handling peer rejection or teasing

Communication Skills

  • Active listening
  • Assertive (not aggressive or passive) speech
  • Asking for help
  • Expressing opinions respectfully

Emotional Regulation

  • Naming and identifying emotions
  • Understanding emotional triggers
  • Coping strategies for anxiety, anger, and frustration
  • Mindfulness and self-calming techniques

Conflict Resolution

  • Problem-solving in peer disputes
  • How to apologize and repair relationships
  • De-escalation strategies
  • Boundary setting

Self-Esteem & Confidence

  • Positive self-talk
  • Celebrating individual strengths
  • Practicing gratitude and self-reflection
  • Learning how to advocate for oneself

What Happens in a Session?

Each group session is interactive, fun, and thoughtfully structured to keep tweens engaged while learning.
A typical 60–75 minute session may include:

  • Welcome & Check-In
    Icebreakers, emotion check-ins, or short mindfulness activity
  • Skill-Building Lesson
    Brief lesson on the week’s social-emotional theme (e.g., “Making New Friends”)
  • Interactive Activities
    Role-play, team games, collaborative challenges, or creative projects that reinforce the skill
  • Group Discussion
    Reflecting on what was learned, sharing experiences, and peer encouragement
  • Take-Home Practice
    Optional activities or discussion prompts for parents to reinforce skills at home

We maintain a low facilitator-to-student ratio to ensure each participant receives personalized support and encouragement.

Logistics & Enrollment

  • Ages: 11–13
  • Group Size: Small group (6–8 participants max)
  • Facilitators: Licensed Therapist + Certified Educator
  • Session Length: 60–75 minutes
  • Frequency: 8 weeks
  • Cost: $360
  • Location: 27 West Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 – in-person
  • Enrollment: Open for new participants (rolling admission or cohort-based, depending on your model)

Before joining, each child will participate in a brief intake session to ensure a good fit and discuss individual goals with the facilitators.

Benefits for Your Child

  • Improved communication and social confidence
  • Greater self-awareness and emotional control
  • Stronger relationships with peers, family, and teachers
  • Reduction in social anxiety or avoidance behaviors
  • Practical tools they can use in real-life situations

By participating in our group, your child will build a social and emotional toolbox they can use for years to come.

Ready to Help Your Child Thrive?

Group

Calm in the Chaos: A Support Group for Women Navigating Life, Motherhood & Mental Wellness

You don’t have to do it all alone.

Calm in the Chaos is a therapist-led support group created for women who are feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or quietly carrying the mental load. Whether you’re managing anxiety, navigating motherhood, or simply craving deeper connection, this group offers a safe and supportive space to exhale and reset.

Join a community of women committed to growing, healing, and showing up with intention—together.

What’s included:

  • Weekly virtual group sessions
  • Supportive tools for managing stress and anxiety
  • Real conversations, gentle accountability, and sisterhood

Now enrolling for Fall 2025.

Spots are limited — Join our interest list to save your seat and get inspired!

Benefit of Group Therapy

Two of the common questions we ask ourselves when we have a problem are, “Am I crazy?” and “Is this just happening to me?” One of the great things about group therapy is that it addresses those queries right away because you are sitting in a room with people struggling with the same issue.

Other advantages of group therapy include:

  • Validation: The knowledge that one is not alone can help with motivation and improve progress.
  • Learning from peers: By talking about their experiences, people can help each other figure out what does and does not work.
  • Support from others: Help groups are an excellent source of support, especially for those who lack encouragement outside of therapy.

When to consider group therapy

While group therapy can certainly help anyone, there are specific instances in which I suggest people seek it out.

  1. When they have met the majority of their treatment goals during individual therapy.
  2. If they are struggling to open up.
  3. If their progress in individual therapy is stagnant.
  4. They have goals that would be best worked on in a group setting.

I encourage anyone interested in group therapy to let me know so that I can set something up if specific topics garner enough interest.

Contact me today for your free consultation.

I can help you attain the personal growth you truly desire.

973-937-8632