Fall 2011 Social Skills Groups

Currently I have three groups running until the end of October 2011.

I will be starting three more after-school groups the first week of November to end by December 15, 2011. You can review the costs and other details by scolling down.

Call me if you are interested in any of the following, if you have not met with me before you can also call Cary at 630-7912 to schedule an interview, it's free. Times and dates may be adjusted by parent request.

Age 6-7 Social Skills Group Self-Control Patrol
9-10am, June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26, 2011

Age 8-10 Social Skills Group Effective and Expected Word & Body Use
9-10am June 15, 22, 29, July 13, 20, 27, 2011

Age 11-15 Social Conversation and Self-Regulation Skills
June 16, 23, 30, July 14, 21, 28, 2011




GROUPS
Social Skill Development
As normally developing children reach the age of 8-9, they typically develop a need to fit in to a group. Failure to successfully meet this developmental need/anxiety can result in acting-out or withdrawal behaviors. This becomes even more critical in teenage years.

For a wonderful book that describes research and practice in this process, see Developmental Therapy- Developmental Teaching by Mary Wood, et. al., Pro-Ed Publishers, 1996. I believe that a sense of belonging in a group can make the difference between healthy adjustment and mental health problems.

Children having difficulty maturing in age-appropriate social thinking (http://www.socialthinking.com/) and social interaction skills, when grouped together, often find themselves feeling successful being in a group. The result is a more relaxed, happy, flexible thinker who begins lookingf orward to being in their group.

This philosophy has led me to provide opportunities at my clinic for children who have trouble making and keeping friends to learn and practice in the context of real relationships with age peers. Research indicates that for social skills instruction to generalize, they need to be coached as children have real interactions with peers. Contact me for upcoming opportunities this summer.

Who?
Brad Mason is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Licensed Psychological Associate, and Licensed Professional Counselor. He worked in public schools for 11years and has been in private practice for 8 years. He has conducted over 100 workshops locally, published research about children's television and aggression,and presented research at the national level. He has also been conducting groups with children for fifteen years and has treated hundreds of children in groups.

What?
Groups of about 4 children. All of the groups balance instruction with practice and having fun. Typically these groups address but are not limited to the following issues:

Ages 3-7: Play skills; visual referencing, synchronizing behavior with others, learning it is fun and exciting, keeping your mind and body in the group, cooperation, tolerating and enjoying changes and surprises.

Ages 8-11: Organized play; keeping your mind and body in the group, sharing control, recognizing, expressing, and managing your feelings in the group, perspective taking, thinking about others and remembering information about them, learning why you should monitor others and modify your behavior so they have good thoughts about you.

Ages 12-17: Advanced interaction and hidden rules; managing exciting feelings, anger,and anxiety, maintaining appropriate physical proximity, sharing control, give andtake, staying on topic and appropriate bridges and signals to new topics, verbal andnon-verbal communication and interpretation, handling teasing and bullying,self-control, investing in the group process, accepting feedback from peers aboutyour behavior and making changes so others want to be with you and think goodthoughts about you.

When?
Options are available. You may contact me to indicate scheduling preferences andarrange an initial interview and screening.


Where?
Most of the groups will meet at 811 Elm St, Georgetown Texas. This is a relaxed setting in an old cottage beneath large pecan trees surrounded by flowers. There is a large brown driveway with a playscape and yellow slide next to it. Some of the games will be conducted outside if it is not too hot, and there is plenty of space. There will also be an option for outdoor activities at San Gabriel River Park nearby.

Why?
You want to give your child the opportunity to feel successful having fun withage-peers. You hope they might make some real and lasting friendships and learn tofeel good about themselves. You might like to meet other parents and hear theirreal-world solutions to challenges you face with your own child. Your child will learn some of the thinking, behavioral, and communication skills that support successful relationships and make them more fun to love and live with. You anticipate receiving information about how you can coach your child to more successful navigation of the social world in your home and at school, and gain insights and a clearer idea of what prevents them from being more successful now.

How?
You receive feedback about your child's performance, successes and errors. Curriculums and ideology I draw from include cognitive-behavioral therapy, resources from Tony Attwood and Michelle Garcia-Winner. We play therapuetic board games, experiential group process games, outdoor games, group conversations and exercises. I typically break up the time half and half with instruction/work activities to be completed before we start having fun playing and practicing as I observe and coach your child through the process. I also often employ some applied behavioral strategies to motivate them and give feedback on their success.

How much?
Weekly (6) week sessions at 1.0 hours each are $295.00 per child prepaid, pro-rated refund by parent request if you are not happy with the group for any reason after the first or second meeting.

Brad Mason LPC, LPA, LSSP
(512) 636-6250 http://www.bradmasoncounselor.com/