Clarke Psychotherapy

*Please e-mail coordinators for information on future groups

Past Groups:

Spring 2016 Groups:

Becoming the Boss of My Worries (ages 10-12)

This is a group where your child can come together with other children to understand their worries, and learn to manage them in ways that leave them feeling more in control. Children can feel more comfortable discussing their fears & worries when they feel they are not alone, and they can leave feeling more confident and capable.

This group will help your child to focus on:

• Gaining awareness of their anxiety triggers, and body cues (or clues), through fun games and activities!  ~ By learning to recognize their anxiety triggers and signs, they will be able to prepare to deal with their anxiety. 

• Understanding and becoming more aware of  the cycle of thoughts (i.e. the connection between their thoughts, feelings, actions and decisions, and the outcomes, which might impact  how capable they might think they are) and challenging negative and unrealistic thoughts while noticing more of the positives. ~ By learning to catch their negative thoughts, and to challenge any stuck thoughts, while also being able to accept that they will have some difficult thoughts and emotions at times, children often begin to feel more confident and capable. 

• Facing fears one step at a time! ~ Trying to take a HUGE step towards facing a fear all at once can be overwhelming, and that experience may actually reinforce the fears and expectations of some children! But, if your child can break the steps down into smaller, more manageable steps, each success can help them to build confidence to bring us to the next level!

• Learning how to find the best possible solutions to problems ~ this can help your child to feel more confident about their ability to deal with difficult situations!

• Discovering what helps them to relax! ~ your child likely already has a few ideas about what helps them to relax when we are feeling worried or anxious, and we would encourage them to keep doing any of those things! By practising various methods of relaxation and mindfulness (which focus on the mind, the body and the senses) each week, your child will begin to recognize those approached that approaches work best for them, and over time the approaches will come more naturally to them at those times that they need to regulate difficult emotions. 

• Knowing who can help support them ~ your child will learn who their supports are in different situations, so they will be prepared to seek the help when they need it. 

• Finding  motivation! ~ Your child will learn to identify (sometimes with your help) some rewards and ways of celebrating even small successes. This will encourage your child to stay focused on working towards their goals! Soon, feeling more confident and capable will feel like a reward in itself!

Dates: (*all sessions are held on Saturdays from 1-3pm)

• 1 Pre-group Parent/Guardian Information Session (*parent(s)/guardian(s) are required to attend)

           April 2, 2016

• 10 Weekly Sessions (2 hours each / parent(s)/guardian(s) will be asked to join for the last 15-minutes weekly)

            April 9, 16, 23

            May 7, 14, 21, 28

            June 4, 11, 18

            *Note: Break on April 30    

• 1 Follow-up Booster Session (3 weeks following the completion of the regular group sessions)

           July 9

Location: (*see map below)

• At the office of Behaviour Matters - 192 Combe Avenue 

            *Note: Nearest Major Intersection: Wilson Heights Blvd & Sheppard Avenue

Fees: (*includes all fees, materials & taxes)

• $50 per session (*To be paid in full upon acceptance to the group)

           *Note: Check with your insurance provider for coverage for social work services.

How to Register:

• To register please use the Registration Form at the bottom of this page.

Contact Information:

• E-mail: c.h.clarke@hotmail.com 

Co-facilitators:

Crystal Clarke, BSW, MSW, RSW

Susan Keegan Smit, CYW

*Please submit the Registration Form below via e-mail at BBW_Toronto@hotmail.com   

*Printable Flyer below: