The Child Guidance Center currently offers two group therapy programs.
FAQs
Rollercoaster GroupsThe Rollercoasters program is designed for children between the ages of 5-13 whose parents are separating or divorcing. The group is frequently the only space where these children can explore what is happening in their lives and receive both feedback and support. The goal of Rollercoasters is to help children learn how to identify their feelings, and use effective coping strategies for these sometimes overwhelming emotions. The program is conducted by licensed therapists in groups of 8 to 10. The sessions are one hour, once a week for nine consecutive weeks. Issues that are addressed include:
- the changes their family has undergone and ways to adjust to their new life
- understanding that parents divorce for many reasons and that it is not a child's responsibility or fault
- the process of grieving losses experienced because of the divorce, learning how to move on, and making room for new experiences and growth.
- teaching children how to cope with their strong feelings of anger and sadness through fun activities
- teaching problem-solving skills to increase a child’s ability to know how to get out of the middle, avoid choosing sides, and other scenarios common to divorce situations
- help the children prepare for new changes
- the changes their family has undergone and ways to adjust to their new life
- understanding that parents divorce for many reasons and that it is not a child's responsibility or fault
- the process of grieving losses experienced because of the divorce, learning how to move on, and making room for new experiences and growth.
- teaching children how to cope with their strong feelings of anger and sadness through fun activities
- teaching problem-solving skills to increase a child’s ability to know how to get out of the middle, avoid choosing sides, and other scenarios common to divorce situations
- help the children prepare for new changes
Caregiver Support GroupThe clinic offers an 8 week educational and support group for parents of children who have been sexually abused. The group is a powerful way for parents to connect with other parents who are going through similar experiences. Currently this group is offered in English only, but will be offered in Spanish in the future as well. The group addresses the following issues:
- Understanding child sexual abuse
- Understanding caregiver needs and reactions to abuse
- Self care
- Understanding children’s behavior and ways to respond
- Investigation of child sexual abuse
- Understanding the legal system
- Understanding offender tactics and behaviors
- Understanding child sexual abuse
- Understanding caregiver needs and reactions to abuse
- Self care
- Understanding children’s behavior and ways to respond
- Investigation of child sexual abuse
- Understanding the legal system
- Understanding offender tactics and behaviors


