Chlidren’s Group: For children who may struggle with impulsivity, immaturity, or difficulty reading the social cues of others leading to difficult peer relationships. This group will help children improve their interpersonal skills, make better choices, and develop more self-confidence. The weekly lessons will draw from the following skill groups: Making Friends, Keeping Friends, Problem Solving, Dealing with Strong Feelings, and Handling Stress and Conflict.  Objective information regarding the children’s behaviors will be gathered before and after the group from parents to tailor the skills that will be taught and to measure the children’s progress. The group format will include modeling, role playing, and performance feedback.  The children will be asked to practice the skills that they learn in group at home and parents will be provided with weekly updates to help reinforce the skills.

In addition, we offer Mindfulness for Upper Elementary or Middle Schoolers. This is a time-limited and skills based group that draws heavily from the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) approach. Mindfulness is the act of intentionally attending to one’s present moment-to-moment experiences in an open and nonjudgmental way. Through mindfulness strategies, one is able to calm the mind, and be less reactive and more purposeful in their responses. Mindfulness techniques have been heavily studied in the literature and have been found to have many benefits including reduced anxiety and stress, increased sense of control and self-efficacy, a reduction in anger/hostility and better reported sleep. The goal of this group is to teach upper elementary children or young adolescents how to better manage stress and anxiety and engage in more focused and intentional behavior through the use of empirically supported mindfulness techniques. Examples of the types of exercises include Body Scan, Mindful Stopping and Mindful Homework/Test Taking.

We are a family-friendly group practice offering assessment and psychotherapy for children, teens and adults. For more information or to set up a group intake appointment, please contact our intake coordinator.

Kay Abrams, PhD, Director

Contact: Intake Coordinator
Email: intake@abramsandassociates.com
301-949-2098, ext 1

3841 Farragut Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895

Visit our website at www.abramsandassociates.com

Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC has been providing social competence groups for children and adolescents since 1992. The groups focus on enhancing resilience, which we view as the ability to adapt well to life and its challenges. Children’s social competence can be impacted greatly by one or several of the following factors: ability to regulate their behavior and emotions; anxiety; ADHD; learning disabilities; low self-esteem; organizational challenges; and/or transition difficulties. Our groups help children identify what they do well, and to build on their strengths. We use the Resilience Builder Program® which utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral framework (how one thinks impacts how one feels and subsequently, how one behaves with others) and empirically supported strategies.

We also offer CBT for Anxiety Middle School Group (grades 6-8) which is a 12-week virtual group is rooted on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, considered the gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders (generalized, social, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive) in adolescents. As such, the group’s aim is to change adolescents’ inaccurate/unhelpful thoughts along with unhealthy behaviors that inadvertently maintain the anxiety.

We also offer specialized groups for children diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), Aspergers and High Functioning Autism.   All groups are led by experienced licensed psychologists and clinical social workers. Didactic, process, and experiential activities, discussions and relaxation/self-control techniques are utilized. Boys, girls, and co-ed groups from pre-school through elementary grades.

Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC also offers groups for children with selective mutism. The focus of these groups is on the continued practice and reinforcement of brave speech and social interaction with peers and adults in a fun and safe setting. Groups meet for 60 minutes each session and run for approximately 8 weeks. They are held at our Chevy Chase location at 8401 Connecticut Ave., Suite 1120, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Please email or call  Dr. Kelly O’Brien at kobrieni@alvordbaker.com or 301-593-6554, ext 41 for more information. We also offer the CCC™ Kids Camp, which is a five-day half-day camp experience designed to provide intensive behavioral treatment for children between the ages of four and eight who are diagnosed with selective mutism (SM) and/or severe social anxiety. Our goal is to support the building of your child’s confidence and success in speaking with adults and children outside the home directly prior to their return to school. The camp is directed by Drs. Kelly O’Brien and Veronica Raggi, two psychologists with extensive expertise in the treatment of SM. Children who are interested in participating must first meet 1:1 with Dr. O’Brien to ensure they are a good fit for our program. If interested, please contact our intake coordinator at 301-593-6554 x23. More detailed information is available here: www.alvordbaker.com/rbp/selective-mutism-program

Psychologists: Mary Alvord, Ph.D.;  Andrea Chisolm, Ph.D.;  Colleen Cummings, Ph.D.; Keri Linas, Ph.D., Psy.D; Erin Lewis-Morrarty, Ph.D.; Heather Loffredo, Psy.D.; Elizabeth Malesa, Ph.D.; Kelly O’Brien, Ph.D.; Nina Shiffrin, Ph.D.;  Candice Watson, Ph.D.; Susan Wilson, Ph.D.

Clinical Social Workers: Rebecca Abrahams, LCSW-C; Betsy Carmichael, LCSW-C; Thomas Verratti, LCSW-C; Lemuel Yutzy, Ph.D.

Contact: Group Coordinator
Email: intake@alvordbaker.com
301–593-6554 x23

3200 Tower Oaks Boulevard, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20852
8401 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 1120, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

301-593-6554

Visit our website at www.alvordbaker.com

CABC offers a variety of evidence-based groups for children and teens experiencing anxiety and related disorders. Groups include School Refusal groups for middle and high school students that are designed to acquire and practice nonavoidant coping skills in a supportive and welcoming environment that provides models for successful reentry. We also provide a Unified Protocol (UP)® group that provides evidence-based treatment to children and teens experiencing anxiety and/or mood dysregulation.

In addition, we offer a Superflex ® group for children 12 and under with social communication disorders, and a PEERS ® groups for Middle and High School students. We also offer a group for older teens experiencing failure to launch difficulties. All groups are evidence-based and delivered in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment.

Clinicians: Jonathan Dalton, Ph.D., Director; Kristin Bianchi, Ph.D.; Caitríona Hayes, Psy.D.; Monique Reynolds, Ph.D., Jennifer Bienstock, Psy.D., Kathleen Gifford, Ph.D.; Kelley Anderson, Ph.D., Christina Diaz, Ph.D.; Kathleen King, LCSW

Contact: Bridget Camardi, Clinic Coordinator
Email: clinic-coordinator@changeanxiety.com

301-610-7850

50 W. Montgomery Ave, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20850

1487 Chain Bridge Rd #203, McLean, VA 22101

Visit our website at www.changeanxiety.com

The Center for Family Well-Being’s In Tune™ group therapy program – now in its 14th year–offers mindfulness-based and relationship focused groups for kids, teens, and young adults. The benefits of combining psychotherapy with mindful awareness are clear: reduced anxiety, increased focus and attention, happier relationships, and greater calm, creativity, and well-being.

Our groups are tailored to participants individual needs and grounded in growing skills of emotional range, regulation, and agility; self and social awareness; as well as compassion for self and others. Positive coping and relational skills are emphasized and practiced weekly. In addition to our mind-body foundation and focus, we draw on a range of activity-based therapeutic tools, including expressive (art, play, sand), “talk,” as well as Polyvagal, CBT, and DBT interventions to grow participants courage and confidence.

Our “In Tune” groups typically run from September through June, with some exceptions including our Pikler-informed infant parent group and our Mind-Body Refresher group. Summer groups are also offered. Please check our website for updated group offerings.

Fall 2022 “In Tune” group offerings:
Riding the Wave
Coping, communication, and confidence building for 4th & 5th graders
This in-person expressive play, art, “talk,” and activity-based group also integrates mind-body practices (breath work, guided visualization, yoga, qi gong and meditation) to offer participants opportunities to learn about—and regulate—emotions; manage worries; develop skills for building strong and healthy friendships; and grow authentic connections with themselves and others. Facilitated by Kate Kelly & co-facilitator TBD; Tuesdays @ 4-5PM, beginning mid-September

Clinicians: Kate Kelly, MA, MSW, LICSW; Elizabeth Ebaugh, MSW, LICSW; Lisa Oakley, MSW, LICSW; Lida Sunderland, MA, ATR-BC, LGPAT, LGPC; Carmelita Naves, MSW, LICSW; Veronica Suleiman, MSW, LICSW; Ameila Aburn, MSW, LICSW; Liz Hagerman, LGPC, BC-DMT; Aryn Davis, MA EdHD, M Ed.

Contact: Amy Murphy, Care Coordinator
Email: Info@centerforfamilywellbeing.com

202-660-1422

5039 Connecticut Ave., NW #7, Washington, DC 20008

Visit our website at www.thecenterforfamilywellbeing.com 

Offering relationship-based developmental group experiences for boys and girls ages 5-19 since 1990. Groups are designed to provide a safe yet challenging environment within which a full range of relationship skills and competencies can develop. Close collaboration with parents through monthly parent groups and individual sessions helps to support the changes the children in our groups and their families are working to make. Our groups work with a wide range of children’s issues including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, distractibility and impulse control issues, difficulties with the expression of anger, and disruptions to family life. Our groups are organized by age, grade, and developmental capacity while tending to be heterogeneous in terms of specific issues and problems. Our goal is to work on personal and social development in a reality-based context that will promote generalization of gains to the outside world.

Directors: David A. Beigel, LPC, CGP; David Flohr, Ph.D., CGP

109 Park Washington Court, Falls Church, VA 22046

703-533-5824 ext 5

Visit our website at http://washingtonsq.org

For over 20 years, our team of psychologists, clinical social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and expressive therapists (art, movement, and drama) have been helping children improve their self-esteem, confidence, self-regulation, peer relationships, communication, interpersonal skills, and more. Our groups offer a combination of process-oriented and social skills-building strategies. We incorporate art, play, drama, movement, CBT, mindfulness, and traditional “talk” techniques. We help children with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, learning challenges, emotion regulation, adjustment, trauma, relationships, and other challenges. Children are carefully assessed for group placement based on age, need, and developmental level. We also offer individual therapy, parenting support, family therapy, couples therapy, and psychological/psychoeducational testing.

Clinical Director: Stephanie Natter, MA, LCPAT, CGP
Email: info@expressivetherapycenter.com

Clinicians: Stephanie Natter, LCPAT, CGP, Clinical Director; Chandni Bhatia, MS, LCPC, NCC; Peter Burchard, Phd; Shani Missner, MD, Phd, LMSW, CLCP; Greta Carlson, PsyD; Corine Crowley, PhD.; Veena Datta, MS, LCPC, NCC; Adria Grey, LCPC, NCC; Jacy Perkins, APRN, PMH; Susan Rail, LCSW-C; Andree Schillesci, MA, BC-DMT; Daniel Wagner, PsyD; Aaron Cooper, LCSW-C; Vicky Nogales, LMFT; Jason Moehringer, PsyD; Natascha Dillon, PsyD; Matthew Fishleder, MA, LCMFT; Christopher Michaels, LMSW; Dayna Goldsmith, LMSW, JD; Heather Stemas, MEd, LCPAT; Kimberly Schlosser, LCSW-C; Jennifer Robertson, LCPC, NCC; Kristen Pilgrim, RDT, RBT; Carmen Paulson, LCPC

10810 Darnestown Road Suite 103, North Potomac, MD 20878

301-869-1017 ext. 1
703-349-5225 ext. 1

Visit our website at www.expressivetherapycenter.com 

A sense of belonging is one of the most crucial factors of resilience building. Through playfulness within a safe and supportive environment, children in our therapy groups learn skills to make and keep friends, carry two-way conversations, more accurately read social cues, handle teasing, build empathy, solve problems, manage emotions and use positive self-talk. Our highly experienced clinicians implement child-centered, strengths-based approaches which create opportunities for successful experiences in social settings and lead to promoting a positive self-image and social confidence. Within small groups of 3-6 children, individual differences are accepted, affirmed and valued while enhancing the capacity for meaningful connections. Children served include those who are neurodivergent, navigating LGBTQ+, life transitions, friendship challenges, anxiety, ADHD, social-emotional and self-esteem struggles, and learning and behavior difficulties. Child group sessions are typically weekly 60-minute sessions for a 10– 12-week series. Parents of group members will meet as a group to discuss ways to enhance progress, reinforce skills, and support their children within home and school situations.

In-person Child Groups (inclusive to all genders; early childhood to middle school)
– Social Skills, Relationship-Building and Self-Esteem Group
• Refer to Growing Minds website for details

In-school Therapeutic Social Emotional and Cooperative-play Skills Group
• Offered in your school per schools’ request

Group Clinicians: Jill Jerome, LCSW-C, RPT-S; Orly Zimmerman-Leizerov, LCSW-C; Isabelle Spicer, LCSW-C; Milan Essex, LMSW; Kristen Taylor, LMSW

Contact: Kirsten Jensen, Practice Manager
Email: intake@growingmindstherapy.com

301-235-9927 ext.0

3204 Tower Oaks Blvd., Suite 180, Rockville, MD 20852

Visit our website: www.growingmindstherapy.com

In Step has offered comprehensive counseling and consultation services to families in the metro DC area since 1995. We offer a full range of services including individual, family, parent consultation, and psychological testing services, and our primary specialization is working in groups with kids, teens and adults.

Our elementary school age groups include: Animal Crossing Social Development Group, Minecraft Social Development Group, Kindergarten Readiness Group, Stepping Stones Social IQ Group, Lego Social Development Group for Kids on the Spectrum,  and Social Confidence Groups for Girls.

Cathi Cohen LCSW, Director
Email: info@insteppc.com

8500 Executive Park Avenue, Ste 204, Fairfax VA 22031

703-876-8480

Visit our website www.instepc.com

The clinicians at McLean Psychotherapy Practices offer numerous ongoing Social Skills groups for children of varying ages and developmental levels. Each group is specifically tailored to address the challenges faced by the group members. We use a variety of therapeutic interventions, including expressive, art and play techniques. Groups typically run from September to June, with additional summer groups offered as well. In addition, we work collaboratively with parents, schools, and other treatment providers to ensure positive treatment outcomes. The primary goals of adolescent groups are to provide a safe environment for preadolescents and adolescents to talk about peer pressure, process their feelings about social interactions, develop and maintain friendships, increase self-esteem, and improve family relationships. These groups are tailored to address specific issues raised by group members. Past topics have included stress reduction, anxiety management, dream analysis, body image and mood swings. A Young Adult Group (ages 18-25) meets to work on issues related to post-high school/college/career decisions, connecting/maintaining friendships with peers, mood disorders/anxiety and how that impacts their experience as a young adult, and dating/romantic elationships.We are excited to now be offering DBT Skills Groups. Please contact Nicole McGarry, LPC (202) 641-8429 for more information or visit our website.

Clinicians:
Lisa Elkin, Psy.D.  571-238-6524
Anne Fleury, LCS  703-282-5937
Cynthia Mathis, LMFT  703-401-5394
Nicole McGarry, LPC  202-641-8429

1483 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 301, McLean, VA 22101

703-401-5394

Visit our website at www.mcleanpsychotherapy.com

All the therapists in our practice are trained in group therapy and our practice focuses on children and adolescent groups working on social skills. We have curriculum that we build to meet the needs of each individual groups needs. Our curriculums are not boiler plate. Instead the therapists think of what each individual needs in the group and then works to integrate all the skills into the curriculum to best help foster growth and development in the areas most needed by the group members. Our groups run at 12-week increments, with two (2) parent individual meetings to help the parent reinforce what their child is learning in group. Our group therapy sessions typically run for 60 minutes. Our current groups include Elementary-Mixed Gender, Middle School Boys, Middle School Girls, High School Boys, and High School Girls.)

Clinicians: Michele Cole, Ph.D., LCSW; Amy E.S. Lehman, LPC; Ali Meyer, LCSW; Lisa Layman, LCSW; Elizabeth Welch, MA, NCC; Rachel Jenkins, LCSW; Aimee Chase, MA, MA, NCC; Katie Bly, LMSW; Katie Turco, M.S., NCC; Mary Cole, LMSW; Kayla Brothers, LMSW

Contact: Dr. Michele Cole, LCPC, Director of Psychotherapy

Email: kturco@movingforwardplc.com or kbly@movingforwardplc.com

571-483-0306

117 S Asaph Street Alexandria, VA 22314

Visit our website at https://movingforwardplc.com
Visit our group therapy listing at movingforwardplc.com/group-therapy/

If you or your child are experiencing challenges with social skills, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, family changes, medical issues or life transitions, Resnik and Associates can help! From pre-school age through young adults, group members are carefully matched to their peers based on specific areas of concern, goals and personally fit to form small groups of 2-5 members. Clients can expect to enjoy a variety of approaches that may include cognitive behavioral therapy, play therapy and expressive therapies, such as art and drama.

Clinicians: Laura Morlok, LCPC; Helen Ehlers, Psy.D; Jennifer Fleming, LCPC; Jaclyn Halpern, Psy.D; Susan Rail, LCSW-C; Simone Schwager, LCSW-C; Elizabeth Picciotta, Psy.D.

Contact: Laura Morlock, LCPC, Director of Psychotherapy
Email: groups@resnikpsychology.com

301-581-1120

5602 Shields Drive, Suite A., Bethesda, MD 20817
11510 Old Georgetown RD, Suite F, Rockville, MD 20852

Visit our website at www.resnikpsychology.com/services/group-therapy
Visit our group therapy listing at tinyurl.com/ResnikGroups

The Sibley Group is a team of over 20 specialized therapists who provide positive psychotherapy for families, adults and couples in the DC area. We offer groups for parents, children, teenagers, and young adults on such topics including the following:

• Pre-K and Kindergarten Readiness Skills Group
• Social Skills Groups [Boys, Girls & Co-Ed] for School-aged Children
• Integrative Groups for Teens [Boys, Girls, Co-Ed] for Anxiety, Depression, and Friendship Skills
• Executive Functioning Groups for Tweens/Teens
• Groups for Parents–SPACE, Support/Education, Online

School Readiness Group (K-1st Grades) – Led by Laurel Tobias, MSW, LICSW
For more information please email laurel@thesibleygroupdc.com
The Sibley Group is offering a brief 4 week kindergarten and first grade readiness group for 5-6 year old kidS. This will be a play-based group focusing on learning how to make friends, maintain friendships, work together as a group, take turns, and manage big feelings. The group will take place at the Chevy Chase office at 4pm on Wednesdays. To register, please contact info@thesibleygroupdc.com

Back to School Group (2nd-3rd Grades) – Led by Rachel Scharf, MSW, LGSW
For more information, please email rachelscharf@thesibleygroupdc.com
This group will focus on school readiness and social skills so that your child is prepared to make new connections at school! Topics will include starting conversations, playing well together and managing feelings. It will integrate games and learning activities. It is offered as a brief group [4 weeks] in the summer and short term [8-10 weeks] during the school year. Enroll your child inthis primer so that they are ready to start the new school year! To register, please contact info@thesibleygroupdc.com

Friendship Group (5th-6th Grades) – Led by Lottie Walker, MSW, LGSW
For more information, please email lottie@thesibleygroupdc.com
The Sibley Group is forming a Friendship group for 10-11 year old girls focusing on making and being a good friend, practicing mindfulness and learning how to handle big feelings. We will learn new skills, strengthen ones your child already has through games, arts/crafts and other activities as we dive into summer and prepare for the next school year. This group will run on Thursdays weekly. To register, please contact info@thesibleygroupdc.com

Clinicians: Allison Sibley, PhD, MSW, LICSW; Cristina Alba, MSW, LGSW; Justin Barrasso, MS, LPC, NCC; Danielle Birx-Raybuck, LICSW, LCSW-C; Alexander Chan, PhD, LMFT; Sarah Dougans, MSW, LICSW; Amanda Good, MSW, LICSW; Jules Hartsfeld, LPC, LCAS, CCTP; Alexis Herschtal, MSW, LICSW; Sarah Jones, LICSW, LCSW-C; Sarah Perrin, MSW, LGSW; Michelle Pittman, MSW, LICSW; Georgette Saad, MSW, LICSW; Rachel Scharf, MSW,LGSW; Barry Shapiro, MSW, LICSW; Lindsay Tiell,vMSW, LICSW; Laurel Tobias, MSW, LICSW; Lottie Walker, MSW, LGSW; Rachel Yutzy MSS, LICSW

Referral Contact: Sherri Eichberg, Assistant to the Director
Email: info@thesibleygroupdc.com

301-679-8827

Program Contact: Justin Barrasso, MS, LPC, NCC
Email: justin@thesibleygroupdc.com
202-744-1086

5039 Connecticut Avenue, NW #5, Washington DC 20008
331 8th Street NE, Washington DC 20002

Viisit our website www.thesibleygroupdc.com

The Wake Kendall Group is a team of experienced psychologists and psychotherapists who provide individual, couples, group and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults. We do psychoeducational, neuropsychological and independent school admissions testing, as well as school consultations. We offer groups for adolescents for anxiety and MBSR-T (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens). We will be offering this program for children as well. We are also offering again this fall our Mindful Parenting Program for parents of all ages.

Clinicians: Anne Wake, Ph.D.; Anne Kendall, Ph.D.; Margaret Isenman, M.A.T.; Janell Schweickert, Ph.D.; Katherine Nitz, Ph.D.; Sunita Duggal, Ph.D.; Frances Brookner, Psy.D.; Lenette Gimple Snyder, LPC; Sarah Mintz, Ph.D.; Alexandra Cargo, Ph.D.; Courtney Conn, Ph.D.; Anna Rosch, Psy.D.; Kimberly Wolfe, LICSW; Margo Genderson, Ph.D.; Sara Geisser, Ph.D.; Amber Groomes, Ph.D.; Rachel Altvater, LCPC, RPT, Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate.

Contact: Lenni Snyder, LPC
Email: lsnyder@wakekendall.com

5247 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Suite 4, Washington, DC 20015

202-686-7699

Visit our website at www.wakekendall.com