Therapy Groups
Structured group work has been a successful approach for many of our patients who are seeking mental health support. Attendees receive evidence-based information from our counselors on topics such as parenting, anxiety, depression, and strategies to support their well-being. If you are interested in one of our groups, please contact Shannon Porter, our Mental Health Coordinator, at (802) 662-4206.
To participate in one of our therapy groups, children must be patients at Essex Pediatrics.
DBT Skills For Teens (Ages 15-18)
Mondays from 3:30-4:30pm
May 13th to June 24th, please see flyer for more details.
Each week, a new DBT skill for emotion management is introduced. DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is a therapeutic technique that supports people in accepting their life circumstances, and helps them to develop skills to notice and avoid unhelpful behaviors. We will practice skills during session, and participants will be expected to complete a journaling assignment before the next week’s meeting. This group will run for six weeks, in person at Essex Pediatrics. This group is for teens ages 15-18, however older teens may be accepted if it is determined they are an appropriate fit for group.
This group is facilitated by Eliza Behrsing, LICSW and Shannon Porter, our mental health coordinator. Please call Shannon at 802-338-5050 to register.
Well-Being Group! Taking Care of Yourself While Having Fun
Thursdays from 4:30-6pm
May 2nd to June 6th, please see flyer for additional information.
Join us for our new activity based group to explore interests and healthy habits for children ages 8-11. Who would be a good fit for this group? Anyone who could benefit from building self-esteem, resilience or social connections. Each week, participants will discuss a new topic related to wellness. Topics include self-care, developing hobbies, exercise, friendships, helping others and fostering independence. If you are interested in registering your child for group, please contact Meg at 802-472-1491.
Who Run The World? Girls! A Self-Esteem and Empowerment Group For Teen Girls
Thursdays, 5-6:30pm
April 4th to May 9th, please see flyer for additional information.
Join us for a group open to female-identifying patients! Each week we will discuss topics related to self-esteem, sense of self, friendship and compassion for both self and others. This group meets for six weeks on Thursdays, starting April 4th, from 5-6:30pm. Please reach out to Kate at 802-316-4115 for more information.
Caregiver Support Network: For Caregivers of Children Experiencing Substance Use
Tuesdays, 5-6:15pm, please see flyer for additional information.
Join and connect with other caregivers with similar experiences to you. Caregivers will learn strategies to support their children experiencing substance use. This support group is facilitated by Jenn Spagnuolo, LCMHC, LADC.
Caregiver Support Network: For Caregivers of Children with Persistent Mental Health Challenges
Tuesdays, 4:30-6pm, please see flyer for additional information.
Connect with other caregivers with similar experiences to you. Caregivers who are raising a child with a mental health challenge can come together to validate each other’s experiences, share advice and connect. Caregivers who participate have children with different levels of mental health challenges, but some examples include children that have needed a higher level of care, have a large treatment team or have persistent mental health challenges.
“Supporting my child in the mental health system can feel so isolating, it is nice to connect with other caregivers who get it”.
This group is facilitated by Marley Powden, LICSW and Shannon Porter, our mental health coordinator.
Caregiver Support Network: For Caregivers of Children with Autism or Developmental Delays
Fridays 5:30-6:30pm, please see flyer for additional information.
Join us as we connect you with other caregivers with similar experiences to yours. Share your challenges, successes and gain support.
Facilitated by Sean Riehl and Gretchen Paulsen.
To register, please contact our mental health coordinator, Shannon at 802-338-5050.
Caregiver Support Network: For Mothers of Newborns
Fridays 9-10:30am, please see flyer for additional information.
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a snack while connecting with other mothers with similar experiences. This group is open to mothers of babies under seven months old. To register and receive additional details, please contact our family home support provider Katie at 802-383-8540.
Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD – A Parenting Series
Join Cath Burns, PhD and other parents/caregivers to learn how to support kids who are living with anxiety and OCD to cope better. Group will discuss the book, “Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD”.
Session One – Understanding Anxiety, OCD and parental accommodation
Session Two – Mapping parental and family accommodations
Session Three – Reducing Accommodations and planning
Session Four – Reviewing your plan and troubleshooting
Registration for this group is now closed. If you would like to be notified when the next round of group is beginning, please call Shannon at 802-338-5050.
Children’s Coping Skills Group: Ages 7-9
Learn about the signs of anxiety and depression. Each week, a new topic is introduced with activities and skill implementation. Practice mindfulness and relaxation strategies, recognize the signs of anxiety and depression and seek to address those bodily sensations. We will practice identifying negative automatic thoughts, use cognitive coping strategies to address those thoughts, and find ways to get and to stay active. Join us in practicing facing, rather than avoiding, the things that make you anxious. This group will run for six weeks, in person at Essex Pediatrics.
Registration for this group is now closed. If you would like to be notified when the next round of group is beginning, please call Shannon at 802-338-5050.
Managing Anxiety and Depression: Teen Skills Group (Ages 13-15)
Learn about the signs of anxiety and depression. Each week, a new topic is introduced with activities and skill implementation. Practice mindfulness and relaxation strategies, recognize the signs of anxiety and depression and seek to address those bodily sensations. We will practice identifying negative automatic thoughts, use cognitive coping strategies to address those thoughts, and find ways to get and to stay active. Join us in practicing facing, rather than avoiding, the things that make you anxious. This group will take place in person at the Essex Pediatrics Mental Health Group Space, 15 Brickyard Road.
This group is facilitated by Nicole Breslend, PhD.
Registration for this group is now closed. If you would like to be notified when the next round of group is beginning, please call Shannon at 802-338-5050.
Essex Pediatrics Toddler Play Group
Wednesdays 9:30am, please see flyer for additional information.
Join us as we attend the Brownell Library Play Time! Meet in the Children’s Book Room at 9:30am for small group connection. The Play Time is recommended for families with children ages 1-4, however older siblings are welcome as well. All caregivers are welcome to join us!
Please contact Gretchen Paulsen at 802-881-3917 for additional information.
In the summer, we will meet at Maple Street Park.