Tools & Resources »

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.

Breaking Free of Childhood Anxiety and OCD – A Parenting Series

Led by Cath BurnsThis group meets Tuesdays, 5-630pm

Tuesdays, 5-630pm

April 2nd, 9th, 16th and 30th, please see flyer for additional information.

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”.

April 2nd, Session One – Understanding Anxiety, OCD and parental accommodation

April 9th, Session Two – Mapping parental and family accommodations

April 16th, Session Three – Reducing Accommodations and planning

April 30th, Session Four – Reviewing your plan and troubleshooting

Please call Marissa Carswell at (802) 662-4219 to register.

Children’s Coping Skills Group: Ages 7-9

Led by Mental Health InternsThis group meets Tuesdays, 5-630pm

Tuesdays, 5-6:30pm

April 2nd to May 7th, please see flyer for additional information

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.

To register your teen for group, contact Marissa at (802) 662-4219

Managing Anxiety And Depression: PreTeen Skills Group (Ages 10-12)

Led by Shannon PorterThis group meets Mondays, March 25th to May 6th, 4-5:30pm

Mondays, 4-5:30pm, please see flyer for additional information

March 25th to May 6th

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.

This group is facilitated by Rhea Gomes & Shannon Porter, our mental health coordinator.

To register your child for group, please contact Marissa at 802-662-4219.

Managing Anxiety and Depression: Teen Skills Group (Ages 13-15)

Led by Nicole BreslendThis group meets Mondays, March 25th to May 6th, 4-5:30pm

Mondays, 4-5:30pm please see flyer for additional information.

March 25th to May 6th 
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.

To register your teen for group, contact Marissa at (802) 662-4219.

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 5-6pm, 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 Marissa 802-662-4219.

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.

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.