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Children's Group Therapy

 

 
 

Children of Divorcing Parents

Going through divorce is never easy. That's why we're inviting children ages six to eleven who are experiencing difficulty adjusting to divorce to attend group therapy at the Pastoral Institute. The therapy is offered monthly and consists of four weekly one-hour sessions.

 

Participating in group therapy provides children with a safe place to express and process feelings regarding their parents' divorce. Licensed professional counselors will lead children through the divorce process as well as discussions on stepfamilies, transitioning between homes and staying out of the middle. In addition, the sessions will help children learn that divorce often has delayed impacts and will offer direction on how to handle them in a healthy manner.

 

Prior to the first session, a screening appointment should be scheduled. At that time, a therapist will meet individually with each child and parent(s) to assess the need for the group and to provide a brief orientation of the program.

 

All or part of group therapy charges may be covered by insurance, the parent's Employee Assistance Program benefits or by Congregational Assistance Program benefits offered through certain area churches.

 

Contact us at cc@pilink.org or 706-649-6500 or 1-800-649-6446 for more information or to make an appointment for an assessment.

Social Skills Groups: ADD/ADHD and Autism/Asperger's

The Pastoral Institute provides Social Skills groups for children, ages seven to eleven based on the Model Me Kids® Social Skills Program. This program consists of 6 sessions of teaching social skills in a therapeutic environment with instructional DVDs, modeling, role-playing and take-home worksheets. 

 

The course is facilitated by:

  • Dr. Angela Sims, Developmental Psychologist and Children’s Director for Pastoral Institute

  • Katie Krieg, MSW , Pastoral Counseling Advanced Resident

  • James Houle, M.S., Auburn University Intern Counseling Psychology Doctoral program

 

 Some of the topics to be covered:

  • Conversational cues

  • Friendship such as play dates, taking turns, sharing, saying sorry

  • Tips and tricks for hygiene, tact, sense of humor

  • School issues (listening, hands to self, library/playground behavior, self calming)


These are time-limited groups. The groups will meet for six sessions in the Community Building Classroom:

  • Autism/Asperger's - Tuesdays from 3:00 - 4:00 PM

  • ADD/ADHD - Tuesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Social Skills Groups: Children and Adolescents

The Pastoral Institute offers multiple level Social Skills Group Classes based on age and needs that build upon previously learned skills. These courses consist of teaching social skills in a therapeutic environment with instructional DVDs, modeling, role-playing and take-home worksheets.  The Social Skills groups include weekly parent information sheets with suggestions for reinforcing learned skills at home and in the community.

 

Student's needs may include the following:

  • Basic social skills such as asking for help, asking questions, joining in, turn taking and initiating play.
  • Friendship such as play dates, taking turns, sharing, saying sorry.
  • Conversation skills, friendship skills, apologizing, accepting consequences and handling disappointment.
  • Tips and tricks for hygiene, tact, sense of humor
  • School issues (listening, hands to self, library/playground behavior, self calming)
  • Higher level social skills such as expressing feelings and recognizing others feelings, dealing with teasing, negotiating, problem solving and emotion regulation techniques.

 

The courses are facilitated by:

    • Dr. Angela Sims, Developmental Psychologist and Children’s Director for Pastoral Institute

    • Batsirai Bvunzawabaya, Auburn University Counseling Psychology Doctoral Student

     

    These are time-limited groups. The groups will meet in the Community Building Classroom.

     

    Clients, who are new to the Pastoral Institute, should schedule a screening appointment before having their child join the group. Please call our office at 706-649-6500, ext. 1201or 1202 for your screening appointment. If your child is currently a client, please register for the group by calling Batsirai Bvunzawabaya (Batsi) at 706-649-6500, ext. 1251 or email at bbvunzawabaya@pilink.org

     

    All or part of group therapy charges may be covered by insurance, the parent's Employee Assistance Program benefits or by Congregational Assistance Program benefits offered through certain area churches. Please contact Pastoral Institute’s business office at 706-706-6500, ext. 1218 to find out about insurance coverage for the group. For self-pay, the charge for the group is $66.00 plus fees for an initial screening appointment (for new clients only). Fees will be used to cover workbooks, snacks and rewards for the children; this will also include a one missed group fee of $30.00 which will be refunded if no sessions are missed (whether cancelled or no showed by client).

     

    Thank you for helping us provide this resource for children to learn social skills.

     

    Contact us at cc@pilink.org or 706-649-6500 or 1-800-649-6446 for more information or to make an appointment for an assessment.