Social Skills Groups Spring 2015
Proposed Schedule:
Ages 3-5 Tuesdays 9-10am starting January 20, 2015
Ages 6-8 Tuesdays 330-4pm starting January 20, 2015
Ages 9-11 Wednesdays 330-430pm January 21, 2015
Ages 12-15 Thursdays 430-530pm starting January 29, 2015
Links to see group in action: http://vimeo.com/user15018735/review/85033396/447c3268d1
http://vimeo.com/user15018735/review/57591172/a1057c38fa
The groups meet once weekly for six sessions total, the cost is 295.00, unfortunately insurance doesn’t work. If you have come to see me before and are interested in returning, please call.
These groups are intended for children who are having difficulty forming peer relationships. Social skills are complex and it is unlikely one group experience will teach all the behaviors that are part of relating successfully with others. My goal with each of the groups is to teach a few of the necessary skills and more importantly provide an experience of feeling successful having fun with age-peers. My heart-felt desire is that each child will gain some confidence and interest in continuing to work at enjoying sharing space effectively with others. I see many children today isolating themselves and playing video games, which seems to reinforce socially avoidant behavior and contribute to disruptions in behavioral and mental health.
Call me or send me an email to talk about your child’s needs, discuss your interests, and schedule a free interview.
Brad Mason, LPC
512-636-6250
Social Skill Development
As normally developing children reach the age of 8-9, they typically develop a need to fit in to a group. Failure to successfully meet this developmental need/anxiety can result in acting-out or withdrawal behaviors. This becomes even more critical in teenage years.
Link to see a group in action: http://vimeo.com/user15018735/review/57591172/a1057c38fa
For a wonderful book that describes research and practice in this process, see Developmental Therapy- Developmental Teaching by Mary Wood, et. al., Pro-Ed Publishers, 1996. I believe that a sense of belonging in a group can make the difference between healthy adjustment and mental health problems.
Children having difficulty maturing in age-appropriate social thinking (http://www.socialthinking.com/) and social interaction skills, when grouped together, often find themselves feeling successful being in a group. The result is a more relaxed, happy, flexible thinker who begins lookingf orward to being in their group.
This philosophy has led me to provide opportunities at my clinic for children who have trouble making and keeping friends to learn and practice in the context of real relationships with age peers. Research indicates that for social skills instruction to generalize, they need to be coached as children have real interactions with peers. Contact me for upcoming opportunities this summer.
Who?
Brad Mason is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Licensed Psychological Associate, and Licensed Professional Counselor. He worked in public schools for 11years and has been in private practice for 8 years. He has conducted over 100 workshops locally, published research about children’s television and aggression,and presented research at the national level. He has also been conducting groups with children for fifteen years and has treated hundreds of children in groups.
What?
Groups of about 4 children. All of the groups balance instruction with practice and having fun. Typically these groups address but are not limited to the following issues:
Ages 3-7: Play skills; visual referencing, synchronizing behavior with others, learning it is fun and exciting, keeping your mind and body in the group, cooperation, tolerating and enjoying changes and surprises.
Ages 8-11: Organized play; keeping your mind and body in the group, sharing control, recognizing, expressing, and managing your feelings in the group, perspective taking, thinking about others and remembering information about them, learning why you should monitor others and modify your behavior so they have good thoughts about you.
Ages 12-17: Advanced interaction and hidden rules; managing exciting feelings, anger,and anxiety, maintaining appropriate physical proximity, sharing control, give and take, staying on topic and appropriate bridges and signals to new topics, verbal and non-verbal communication and interpretation, handling teasing and bullying,self-control, investing in the group process, accepting feedback from peers about your behavior and making changes so others want to be with you and think good thoughts about you.
When?
Options are available. You may contact me to indicate scheduling preferences and arrange an initial interview and screening.
Where?
Most of the groups will meet at 811 Elm St, Georgetown Texas. This is a relaxed setting in an old cottage beneath large pecan trees surrounded by flowers. There is a large brown driveway with a playscape and yellow slide next to it. Some of the games will be conducted outside if it is not too hot, and there is plenty of space. There will also be an option for outdoor activities at San Gabriel River Park nearby.
Why?
You want to give your child the opportunity to feel successful having fun with age-peers. You hope they might make some real and lasting friendships and learn to feel good about themselves. You might like to meet other parents and hear their real-world solutions to challenges you face with your own child. Your child will learn some of the thinking, behavioral, and communication skills that support successful relationships and make them more fun to love and live with. You anticipate receiving information about how you can coach your child to more successful navigation of the social world in your home and at school, and gain insights and a clearer idea of what prevents them from being more successful now.
How?
You receive feedback about your child’s performance, successes and errors. Curriculums and ideology I draw from include cognitive-behavioral therapy, resources from Tony Attwood and Michelle Garcia-Winner. We play therapuetic board games, experiential group process games, outdoor games, group conversations and exercises. I typically break up the time half and half with instruction/work activities to be completed before we start having fun playing and practicing as I observe and coach your child through the process. I also often employ some applied behavioral strategies to motivate them and give feedback on their success.
How much?
Weekly (6) week sessions at 1.0 hours each are $295.00 per child prepaid, pro-rated refund by parent request if you are not happy with the group for any reason after the first or second meeting.
Brad Mason LPC, LPA, LSSP
(512) 636-6250