You may have seen some of my other videos talking about how powerful and valuable Teen Girl Therapy Group can be.
Or perhaps a friend, or another counselor, has recommended group therapy for you.
Whatever the reason you landed here, you probably still have a LOT of questions about what Teen Girl Therapy Group is all about.
I’m answering your BIGGEST Questions-
the ones I’m asked most often- so you can make an informed decision if this group is right for what you need…
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1. Do I have to be a teenage girl?
Teen Girl Therapy Group was originally created as a safe supportive community for people who are experienced as female. There are certain issues that pop up for teenage girls that I found it was helpful to have a community where people could know that they were not alone; that there were others like them.
While you don't have to be a girl in the traditional sense, knowing that the group was designed with the idea that it would be supporting teenagers who were going through female social issues is important when you're going into it.
If you've ever lived life experienced as a female you can certainly join Teen Girl Therapy Group.
2. I’m a teenager but I’m not in high school. Can I join?
Yes, you must be an active middle school or high school student. I'm really sorry, but kids in college, even if you are technically a teenager, you're in a very different life stage than the kids that are in high school and middle school.
3. Do I have to live in CT?
Kind of. So, I am licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut currently. There isn't a really great way easy way to do virtual counseling across state lines at this time without applying for licensure in those states, too.
So, that means that the client needs to be physically located in the State of Connecticut at the time of service in order for me to provide therapy to them. And my Teen Girl Therapy Groups at the moment are all in person.
I'm not sure if I'll ever do a virtual group but as of right now, they're all right here in this office in Woodbridge, Connecticut. If you'd like to be considered for a spot in Teen Girl Therapy Group, you don't necessarily have to be a resident of Connecticut, but you have to be able to physically come to group at this location.
4. Will I know someone from my school?
This is a really common question that I get all of the time. And I'm always very curious about why that would be a concern or an issue.
I totally get that because group therapy is meant to be a private and confidential experience, though sometimes when you're in a group therapy, it's an opportunity to practice new ways of being and thinking and also being experienced by others.
So, knowing somebody from school could go either way. It could be a really great opportunity to learn how to bond and renew relationships in a safe supportive environment.
Though at the same time, I would never knowingly put kids in a group that had a bullying dynamic. If you are concerned about a particular individual being in the group, I cannot disclose where any of my group members go to school or who's actively in group. That's that whole confidentiality factor. But what I can do is if you inform me about a particular relationship or person, I can be considerate of that while inviting kids into the group. And if there were to be an issue discovered after somebody's been invited into the group, what I typically do is I'll have a discussion with both people together and separately.
Ultimately I would navigate what is in the best interests of both of those clients and what they desire.
5. What if no one is my age?
A lot of teenagers are concerned that they may be older or younger than the majority of the group members and ultimately, I don't base my groups based on chronological age, I base who gets invited into a particular group on their developmental identity and what issues they're coming for support. So that means that even if somebody is one, two, five years younger or older than you, that you could actually be in really similar states where you can learn and benefit from each other's experience. I think that there's a fear because when you're a teenager or a kid, typically the groups that you're in are really close in age, in your grades, in your little league sports, and so the idea of being with somebody who is slightly older or younger, can feel a little uncomfortable. But I've actually seen some really cool things happen in group when people who are of a different age are able to come together in a healthy supportive community. And it's good practice for when you get older because they don't put you in jobs based on your age, they put you in jobs based on your skillset.
6. Are the group members mean?
So, I'm gonna be totally honest and real with you. Sometimes some of the teens that are in group therapy may say things either intentionally or unintentionally mean. I can't control what people say or think. Ultimately though, if somebody is showing up and coming to a group therapy experience, they're pretty kind and considerate already- so the likelihood of somebody being unnecessarily intentionally mean is really low.
Plus, I'm in group therapy with you all and so if somebody says something that may come across as mean, I'm there to help navigate that conversation to bring it to their attention and come up with a resolution with the entire group on how to remedy that. Or what I like to call, repairing the relationship, Not only with that particular individual but the group as a whole.
7. What if they don’t like me?
This is one of the most common reasons that I find teens are a little hesitant to consider joining group therapy. And to be fair, that's a very valid concern because ultimately we all just wanna be liked.
Wouldn't it be lovely if everyone just liked and adored and loved us!!??
When teens ask me this question, I really urge them to consider looking at it in a different way: instead of asking what if they don't like me, the more effective way of looking at this is what can I do to be likable?
Whether they like you or not is really not up to you and you'll just stress yourself out worrying about making sure that people like you. However if you focus on being a likable person ,then if they don't like you that's on them. You've done everything that you can do.
Plus, you don't have to be liked by everybody in order to work on yourself. In fact, not being liked is a very strong indicator that your self-esteem and confidence is improving because you're making decisions based on what you like and what you need, not solely on the desires of other people and that can be really empowering.
8. What if they can’t help me?
Ultimately, you know your needs best. A lot of people think that if a group therapy doesn't work for them, then they must have failed, and that's just not true. If you are showing up and being willing to participate and give it a try, the best that you can do is just be open and considerate and continue to check in and evaluate is this helping me or is this not? I do recommend giving it at least 6-8 sessions before you decide if you’re ready to move on from group.
9. When is group over?
Group therapy is not a one-size-fits-all and because my groups are open, that means that the kids in group can grow and change over time. As they've gotten the most benefit out of group, they move on from group.
One of my favorite activities is our moving on circle. It's where we go around and we share our best wishes for each other and note the progress that we've seen over their time in group. Sometimes we get a little silly, sometimes it gets a little sad, but overall we love celebrating success, even if it's the idea of voicing to the group that this is just not the right fit for me. I think that's actually really awesome and really wonderful when a kid can acknowledge and assert themselves and celebrate that decision.
10. How do I sign up for Teen Girl Therapy Group?
As you can see, I’m pretty thoughtful and considerate when it comes to providing quality care and treatment for the teens I work with. And so I do that based on not only what your individual needs are, but what the kids in groups are working on, and what the group's needs are. 'Cause with group therapy, it goes both ways. It's a give and take with everyone.
Step 1: The very first step is completing a phone screening with someone from my team. You can click here to schedule your call now. If you’re under 18, a parent needs to make this call. If you’re 18, then it needs to be with you.
Step 2: After that, then we have an in-person client assessment. This is where I get to meet you (and a parent if you’re under 18).
Step 3: You decide! From there it's an opportunity to assess, engage, and ask questions and get to know one another to see is this the right fit and would it be a good idea to invite you into one or more of the groups.
Tell me….
Did I answer all your questions about Teen Girl Therapy Group? Feel free to DM me or let me know in the comments over on my YouTube channel- you can click here to go to this video.
And please be sure to share this video because you never know who you could be helping in the process.
Not sure what to watch next? How about this video where I’m setting the record straight on all the lies you hear about group therapy- click this link to watch a great video on this very important topic.
Want even more positive influences in your teen's life? Teen Girls Therapy Group is a weekly space where your teen girl can connect with others dealing with anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem. By talking and learning together, they learn to feel better about the relationships they have with themselves and others.
If you want to secure your teen's spot- complete your complimentary 15-min parent phone screening at 203-228-8971 or completing the contact form here.
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