Group therapy for children and adolescents

In children and adolescents, psychological problems are particularly evident in group situations (school, kindergarten, clubs) and in contact with peers. These are perceived by the parents, reported by the children themselves or by the caregivers in kindergarten or school.

Children and young people are used to groups in kindergarten and school. They want to belong and feel comfortable in them. Group therapy with peers is particularly suitable here. Here, children and young people can learn how to deal with their problems in direct contact with others under the protected guidance of the psychotherapists so that they feel more comfortable.

As in individual therapy, parents are regularly involved in the therapy, especially in the case of children. For adolescents, parent-teacher conferences are no longer as important for further development due to their age and can – depending on the treatment plan – no longer take place or only take place to a very limited extent.

Group therapies take place – depending on the topic – in small groups of four or in larger groups of up to eight people . A group session lasts 100 minutes and takes place at fixed times. In this constellation, a very trusting atmosphere usually develops, which is characterized by mutual appreciation and compassion. As a rule, the number of sessions is limited to eight to ten.

Here, age-appropriate everyday situations are depicted and used therapeutically in the group situation. Model learning – social learning based on other children and young people – plays a major role here. Peers act as role models and encourage people to do the same themselves. Therapeutic role-playing is often used to good effect in group therapy, allowing positive feelings and behavior to be practiced and reinforced. Conflicts are also dealt with and tested in a playful way.

In addition to group therapy, individual therapy sessions can also be useful, depending on the individual treatment plan.

Group therapy can also be carried out in parallel with individual therapy, even with different people providing treatment. This “combination therapy” can also be planned across practices, i.e. individual therapy in another practice can be combined with group therapy in our practice, and vice versa.