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.
Anxiety and Stress Management: PreTeen Skills Group (Ages 9-12)
Tuesdays, 5-6:30pm. 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 four weeks, in person at Essex Pediatrics.
Please call Leo at 802-489-6716 to register.
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.
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.