Benefits of Coming Along to our Groups
Considering coming along to our groups? Worried because you have had negative experiences before when in groups with other young people? What could be the benefits of coming along to our groups here at The Social Confidence Collective? Check out some of the answers to these questions in the blog post below.
We Do Our Best To Create a Safe and Supportive Space
Central to our groups is creating a safe and inclusive space where we aim to have all participants feel respected and valued. We embrace diversity, recognizing that each person brings unique strengths to the group, and we celebrate these qualities (which may initially feel uncomfortable - many young people have told us they haven’t been comfortable being themselves in other spaces before). We do this through having group guidelines that the group are in agreement with, providing clear, predictable structure to group, having a range of regulation tools and activities available, as well as meeting with all group members individually before the group block starts, to understand their own goals, stressors and things that help.
Goals of Group Therapy here at The Social Confidence Collective
Our group sessions focus on a variety of goals based on the young people who are coming along. These are different for each group member, but might include:
A space to learn or practice skills: Practicing communication, assertiveness, and conflict resolution in a supportive, ‘real-life’ setting
Emotional Regulation: Learning strategies to manage emotions and cope with stress in settings that are more alike to real life.
Self-Advocacy: Building confidence in expressing their own needs, setting boundaries, and advocating for oneself in contexts outside of the group
Building Peer Relationships: Developing friendships and supportive relationships with peers who understand them
Doing more with their time: Being able to engage in fun activities with others around their age
Structured Sessions and Activities
Each group session has a mix of unstructured and structured activities with opportunities for interaction and discussion. Activities include board games and card games, video games, art, craft, and sport, as well as dedicated time to focus specifically on understanding aspects of social interaction through group discussion. Individual reflection about how each group member has experienced the group is encouraged at the end of each group.
Our group recently has been loving board games!
Other than working towards your goals, there are heaps of benefits that you might experience coming along to our groups
Participants in our groups often experience other benefits, including:
Increased Self-Confidence: Gaining confidence in social situations and embracing their unique identities.
Enhanced Social Confidence: Improving communication and learning about other’s perspectives.
Peer Support: Feeling understood and supported by peers who share similar experiences.
Emotional Regulation: Developing coping strategies to support in other settings.
So if you think this could be for you, contact us now, or check out our website or socials for more information.