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Children and Adolescents
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Do you mix children with adolescents in the same group?
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Do children and adolescents respond to group therapy?
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What if my child or adolescent is already in individual therapy?
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How can group therapy help my child?
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What can my child learn through group therapy?
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How will talking about their problems with their peers be helpful to my child?
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What if my child or adolescent doesn't get along with the other group members?
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What else might my child accomplish in group therapy?
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CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR GROUPS FOR ADULTS
DO YOU MIX CHILDREN WITH ADOLESCENTS IN THE SAME GROUP?
No. All WGW therapy groups are divided into age-appropriate sections.
DO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS RESPOND TO GROUP THERAPY?
With an experienced, effective leader, group therapy can provide a comfortable place for children and adolescents to share.
They are especially responsive to working this way because the peer-support that will be generated is particularly important to the self-esteem of these age groups.
WHAT IF MY CHILD OR ADOLESCENT IS ALREADY IN INDIVIDUAL THERAPY?
A group can provide an excellent adjunct to this work. Our experienced, professional staff welcome the opportunity to work with your child's therapist in a manner that provides mutual support for each modality. If your child is already in individual or family therapy, the WGW staff and the leader of the child's group will, with your permission, work cooperatively with the individual therapist to develop an appropriate collaborative plan to meet your child's needs.
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HOW CAN GROUP THERAPY HELP MY CHILD?
For more than 50 years, groups have been remarkably successful in helping children and adolescents cope with the myriad of issues that may arise as a part of growing up. Group work can help on its own or as an adjunct to individual or family therapy. WGW has designed groups specifically tailored to work with children and adolescents.
The group lends confidential comfort and support for the growing-up process. And, if additional disappointments or frustrations (disaster, school problems, social setbacks, illness, family changes) arise, an appropriate group, with the special sharing that takes place among leader and peers, offers the child real help in first coping and then healing.
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WHAT CAN MY CHILD LEARN THROUGH GROUP THERAPY?
If the child who needs help with improving social skills, social awareness and problem-solving expertise, a group is the ideal setting, providing important experience in cooperation, group cohesion and teamwork.
Call us at (914) 421-1500 or click here to arrange an evaluation for your child or to talk about how WGW will work with you and your child or adolescent.
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HOW WILL TALKING ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PEERS BE HELPFUL TO MY CHILD?
We all function in groups in one situation or another. Whether it be at work, school, family or kids just "hanging out," everyone has participated in one group or another. Remember that without ever realizing it your child has already been involved in a variety of groups.
Think of a therapy group as a sort of "social laboratory," but one that is specifically designed to find support and try out new, constructive ideas and behaviors. In addition to what is mentioned in this section, click here for other programs that are available for your child.
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WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN'T GET ALONG WITH THE OTHER GROUP MEMBERS?
Because of the extensive pre-group screening process provided by WGW, this is unlikely. In group therapy, group members meet regularly (usually once a week) under the leadership of a qualified psychotherapist. In the group, whose participants have been carefully screened to make sure they will "fit" with each other, members learn to help themselves and each other.
However, if such a problem does occur, as it is normal for differences to surface in everyday interactions (particularly with young people), the group environment is the perfect setting to explore how your child feels about it, why this is happening, and how he/she can work through it.
Remember to think of the group as a sort of "social laboratory," one that is specifically designed to help your child find support and try out new ideas and behaviors in the safety and comfort of the group milieu.
Your child will also experience the enjoyment of being able to share their successes and triumphs, large and small with like-minded people. Most group members find great satisfaction in the support that is gained in their struggle to achieve positive goals. This is particularly true for young people.
Call us at (914) 421-1500 or click here to arrange an evaluation for your child or to talk more about how WGW works with you and your child or adolescent. Click here for a list of current therapy groups available for children or adolescents.
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WHAT ELSE MIGHT MY CHILD ACCOMPLISH IN GROUP THERAPY?
In group therapy, your child will learn more about understanding his/her problems, overcoming challenges and how to handle the problems of growing up. With the guidance of the leader, your child will experience a unique opportunity to try out new skills. Soon, the group may come to feel a little like a supportive "family."
Depending on the focus of the group, your child will improve social proficiency and enhance his/her problem solving ability. And, of course, the nurturing group environment can offer real help and practical advice, first with coping and then with healing.
WGW's groups are tailored to work with many of the issues that arise to confront young people in today's challenging world. With the special sharing that takes place in group, your child can get confidential comfort and compassionate support in coping with disappointments, frustrations and fears.
Equally important is the nurturing empathy that often develops in the group.
In another type of group, the focus might be more behavioral so your child can learn specific techniques to help him/her cope with negative feelings (i.e., anxiety, sadness, fear, etc.) and gain self-confidence.
In all groups, there is much satisfaction to be gained for your child-- not only from using the skills that are learned, but also from sharing successes and triumphs with other members and having them share theirs with your child.
Call us at (914) 421-1500 or click here to arrange an evaluation for your child or to talk more about how WGW works with you and your child or adolescent. Click here for a list of current therapy groups available for children and adolescents.
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CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR GROUPS FOR ADULTS.
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