School…Stress…Success: How Group Therapy Can Benefit Your Teen by Denisha Johnson LCSW

School supplies. School shopping. School orientation.

Yes...it is that time of year again: time for the children to go back to school and for parents to gear up for the almost daily struggles to get homework done on time.

Group therapy can be a very beneficial tool in helping your child be successful in school. Group therapy works for several reasons.

     •it takes away the stigma of the struggles your child is experiencing

     •it provides a sense of support and a feeling that "I'm not the only one"

     •it provides a safe and therapeutic atmosphere for your child to express their feelings and get                support

     •your child can receive support from others dealing with the same or similar issues, as well as improve their self-esteem by being a support to their peers.

I have been facilitating groups for middle and high school adolescents for 4 years. I can honestly say that facilitating groups for teenagers has been a highlight of my career. To watch a teenager go from sitting on the outskirts of a group, watching the group but not participating in the group, to sitting with the group, engaging with their peers, and being one of the first people to show up for group is a rewarding experience as a therapist, for the child, and for the family.

Group therapy is a beneficial tool in treating a variety of symptoms and behaviors, including but not limited to:

     •ADHD

     •Anxiety

     •Depression

     •Family issues such as divorce or separation

     •Self-esteem issues

  lBullying

     •Trauma

     •Developing and using coping skills

     •Strategies to be successful in school

If you feel that your child would benefit from a supportive environment that nurtures their social skills, provides mental health therapy, and improves self-esteem, or for more information on enrolling your child in group therapy, please contact the Wellness Connection at 703-327-0335. It is a decision I promise you won’t forget.

For the past 10 years, Denisha Johnson has worked with Loudoun County Mental Health in a variety of positions. Starting as a residential counselor, she is now working as an Outpatient Clinician specializing in adolescent treatment.