Dates: 3 Groups per year; Fall, Winter & Spring Time & Place: Wednesdays 4-5pm, 27A Reed Blvd, Mill Valley Group Size: 4 Children (mix of boys and girls)
Age Range: Groups for kids 4-5 years or 5-7 years old
About The Group
The Socialization Group offers children and their families a relationship-based, language rich program that is geared toward supporting social and emotional growth. The program places high value on helping children identify and express emotional states as an integral part of social development. This process helps children regulate their interpersonal interactions and manage the inherent stress of expanding their social repertoire. Change is fostered through individualized support for each child’s specific needs in concert with building overall group cohesiveness.
Groups are offered for children either 4-5 or 5-7 years old who are having difficulty playing with other children and/or developing satisfying peer relationships. Underlying developmental concerns may include: language delays, impulsivity, separation anxiety, power struggles, limited attention span, self regulation, difficulties relating and developmental delays.
Focus Areas
• Development of relationships with group peers.
• Increasing the child’s ability to engage in interactive play.
• Helping the child generate and expand upon play themes.
• Helping with resolution of peer conflict and negotiation of needs.
• Managing transitions.
• Helping the child identify and verbalize feeling states and control impulses.
• Raising each child’s self-esteem through the experience of successful social interactions.
Group Structure
The group consists of a total of 13 sessions. Children participate in 10 group sessions that include activities such as: art therapy, group games, partnering, imaginative group play, communication games and social skill-building activities.
A summary meeting is also held with each family at the end, where progress is reviewed and strategies for continued success are discussed. In addition, two ‘Parent Groups’ will also be scheduled.
Parent(s) set 4 group goals for their child at the beginning and progress is tracked by group leaders and summarized in the parent groups and the summary meeting at the end.
One parent is expected to stay and observe the first group to help with transitional anxiety. From group 2 on, the parent drops off at 4 and picks up at 5.
Fees
The fee for the 13 sessions is $850.
Please note—due to the social nature of the group—a commitment to the entire 10-week program is required.
Group Leaders
Noah Kempler, MFT
Noah is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with over 16 years experience running groups. He specializes in the treatment of children (and their families) with social, emotional, and developmental concerns. Noah utilizes a combination of Developmental, Family Systems and Emotion-Focused therapies in his work with children, with a particular emphasis on emotional development as the foundation for social and behavioral success. He is in private practice in Mill Valley.
Stacey Schoenstadt Kempler, MFT, ATR-BC
Stacey Schoenstadt Kempler is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and a Clinical Art Therapist. She has many years experience running groups for children and teens. Stacey utilizes art therapy to aid children and families in self-expression and problem solving. Through the medium of art, she helps her clients explore choices and master new behaviors. She is in private practice in Mill Valley.
Space is limited—contact: Noah Kempler (415) 717-3915 [email protected]