Teen Groups
Monarch Family Counseling is now offering a set of teen groups at our Herriman location. Please contact us for more information.
Skills group (for highschoolers 14-18)
This is a six week group aimed to help teens learn invaluable life skills in areas such as communication, consequential thinking, empathy, conflict management, relationships, coping skills, emotional management, and boundaries. It’s $175 for the six weeks and includes materials/supplies that participants get to take home. Call for start dates and run times. A fee is required upon signing up. Space is limited.
Teen Support Group (for highschoolers 14-18)
The teen support group is a safe place for teens to come and talk about whatever they need to. Topics may range from bullying, relationships, emotional management, finding a job, suicide, etc. All group sessions will be overseen by the therapist so safety and content can be monitored. Space is limited. You will be asked to pay for four weeks at a time upfront. This ensures that the group dynamic, while evolving, has some consistency from month to month. Each month is $100. Typical groups will be held once a week in the evenings for an hour and half session – call for start dates and specific run times. (It is recommended that teens take the skills group first so they have the skills they need to manage emotions, work through difficult topics, and communicate a difference in opinions.)
Please note that group therapy is not a substitute for individual therapy. If your teen is actively suicidal or self-harming, we ask that they participate in individual counseling in addition to group therapy. Additionally, if your teen presents symptoms that indicate more therapy is needed, we will reach out to you to discuss treatment options. Our goal is to keep everyone in the group safe while still providing a healthy outlet to talk about issues teens are facing.
How do I know group therapy is appropriate for my teen?
Teens that are a good fit for group therapy are ones who can well in peer-to-peer groups, can follow instructions, are able to manage anger so they aren’t aggressive or hostile, and are open to new ideas and skills. Teens participating in group therapy should not be actively suicidal or self-harming or, if they are, are also receiving individual therapy.
What happens if things aren’t going well in group?
If your teen is struggling to follow group rules, they may be asked to leave and no refunds will be given. If your teen is struggling because they are in crisis, we will contact you about other treatment options that may be more appropriate for their needs. There may be a time when your teen is uncomfortable with someone in the group or with a topic. We strongly encourage teens to work through this in group and push on. In life, there are many times when we’ll feel uncomfortable but part of developing skills is learning how to appropriately handle those situations in a way that maintains healthy boundaries.
What if my child wants to stop coming?
Again, we recommend teens work through any issues they have in group. If they choose to stop coming anyway, refunds will not be given.
What are the benefits to group therapy?
Group therapy can be beneficial in many ways. It gives teens a chance to have a voice, find support with others in similar situations, offer and receive empathy, learn new skills, and gain a greater understanding of themselves and how they relate to others.
What are the risks?
Group therapy is not for everyone and can be risky in some situations. If you are unable to speak up or work through conflict with other group members, if you are in crisis or suicidal, or if you are aggressive, hostile, or emotionally fragile then individual therapy may be a better fit for your needs.
Contact us for more information.
