Group Therapy & Workshops

Group therapy is a form of counseling that brings together individuals facing similar challenges to share their experiences, learn from one another, and provide mutual support. Sessions are facilitated by trained mental health professionals who guide the group process and ensure a safe, productive environment.

For Geelong teens, group therapy offers numerous benefits:

• It provides validation and normalization of experiences, helping teens realize they're not alone in their struggles
• It creates opportunities to learn from peers who may be at different stages in addressing similar challenges
• It offers a safe space to practice social skills and receive immediate feedback
• It can increase motivation through peer support and accountability
• It provides multiple perspectives on challenges and potential solutions
• It often costs less than individual therapy, making mental health support more accessible

At Shake Counselling, our group therapy programs are specially designed to address the unique challenges of adolescence while creating an engaging, supportive environment where teens feel comfortable opening up and working toward positive change.

Our workshops cover a wide range of topics essential for teen development and wellbeing. The main areas include:

• Emotional Regulation: Identifying emotions, understanding triggers, developing healthy coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, and stress management skills.
• Communication & Conflict Resolution: Active listening, assertive communication, navigating disagreements, understanding different communication styles, and managing difficult conversations.
• Self-Esteem & Body Image: Building self-worth, challenging negative self-talk, developing a healthy relationship with appearance, media literacy, and celebrating individual strengths.
• Goal-Setting & Decision-Making: Identifying values, setting SMART goals, problem-solving strategies, understanding consequences, and building motivation.
• Healthy Relationships & Boundaries: Identifying healthy vs. unhealthy relationship patterns, establishing and communicating boundaries, building trust, navigating peer pressure, and developing empathy.

Each workshop is interactive and engaging, incorporating a mix of discussions, activities, role-plays, and practical exercises that teens can apply in their daily lives. We tailor the content and approach to the specific age group and needs of the participants.

We tailor our programs to Geelong teens in several important ways:

• Age-Appropriate Grouping: We carefully compose groups based on age ranges (e.g., 13-14, 15-17) to ensure content and activities are developmentally appropriate and relevant.
• Needs-Based Focus: We assess the specific challenges and goals of prospective group members and create groups with complementary needs, allowing for more targeted and effective interventions.
• Local Context: We incorporate an understanding of the unique cultural and social context of Geelong, including local schools, community issues, and regional opportunities and challenges.
• Engagement Style: We use activity-based approaches that appeal to teens, incorporating movement, creativity, technology, and peer interaction to maintain engagement and enhance learning.
• Flexibility: Our programs adapt to emerging topics and concerns within the group, allowing space for authentic issues to be addressed as they arise.
• School Collaboration: For school-based programs, we work closely with staff to understand the specific culture and needs of the school community, aligning our approach with existing wellbeing frameworks.

This tailored approach ensures that our group therapy programs and workshops are relevant, engaging, and effective for the specific needs of Geelong teens, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.

A typical group therapy session or workshop at Shake Counselling follows a structured format while allowing flexibility to address emerging needs:

• Welcome & Check-In (10-15 minutes): Sessions begin with a brief check-in activity where participants share how they're feeling and any relevant experiences since the last session. This helps establish connection and sets the tone for the session.
• Theme Introduction (5-10 minutes): The facilitator introduces the session's theme or skill focus, explaining its relevance and how it connects to previous sessions.
• Interactive Learning (20-30 minutes): The main portion of the session involves engaging activities designed to explore the theme and develop relevant skills. This might include role-plays, discussions, creative exercises, movement activities, or experiential learning opportunities.
• Reflection & Processing (15-20 minutes): Participants reflect on what they've learned, share insights, ask questions, and discuss how the skills can be applied in their daily lives.
• Skill Practice (10-15 minutes): Time is dedicated to practicing new skills in the supportive group environment, with feedback from peers and facilitators.
• Homework & Closing (5-10 minutes): The facilitator assigns optional practice activities for the week ahead and leads a brief closing activity to summarize key learnings and end on a positive note.

Throughout the session, our facilitators create a safe, supportive atmosphere where teens feel comfortable sharing and participating. We balance structured content with responsiveness to the group's needs and energy levels, ensuring that each session is both productive and engaging.

Our group therapy programs and workshops offer significant benefits to Geelong schools and the broader community:

• Supporting Student Wellbeing: We provide evidence-based mental health support that complements existing school wellbeing programs, helping students develop resilience, emotional regulation skills, and healthy relationships.
• Early Intervention: Our programs can help identify and address emerging mental health concerns before they escalate, potentially preventing more serious issues and reducing the need for crisis intervention.
• Resource Optimization: Group formats allow schools to support multiple students simultaneously, making efficient use of limited mental health resources and budget allocations.
• Skill Development: Beyond mental health support, our workshops teach valuable life skills that contribute to academic success, positive school culture, and future workforce readiness.
• Teacher Support: We provide teachers with strategies and insights to better support students with various challenges, extending the impact beyond direct student participation.
• Community Building: Our programs foster connection and mutual support among participants, contributing to a more cohesive and supportive school and community environment.
• Parental Engagement: We offer resources and guidance for parents, helping them better understand and support their teens' development and challenges.

Through our partnerships with Geelong schools and community organizations, we contribute to creating a comprehensive network of support for local teens, helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence and develop into resilient, emotionally healthy adults.

Bringing our group therapy and workshop programs to your Geelong school or community organization is a straightforward process:

1. Initial Contact: Reach out to us by phone at 0422 868 258, email at [email protected], or through our website's contact form. Let us know a bit about your organization and what you're looking for.
2. Consultation Meeting: We'll schedule a meeting (in-person or virtual) to discuss your specific needs, challenges, and goals. This helps us understand your organization's culture, the population you serve, and the outcomes you're hoping to achieve.
3. Proposal Development: Based on our consultation, we'll develop a customized proposal outlining program options, structure, content, logistics, and investment. This may include recommendations for program length, group size, and specific focus areas.
4. Program Customization: Once you've selected a program approach, we'll work together to further tailor the content and delivery to your specific context, ensuring alignment with your organizational values and objectives.
5. Implementation Planning: We'll collaborate on practical details such as scheduling, space requirements, participant selection or recruitment, and communication strategies.
6. Program Delivery: Our skilled facilitators will deliver the program according to the agreed-upon schedule and approach, with ongoing communication to address any emerging needs or concerns.
7. Evaluation and Follow-up: We'll gather feedback throughout the program and conduct a formal evaluation at its conclusion to assess outcomes and identify opportunities for improvement in future collaborations.

We offer flexible formats to accommodate different needs and constraints, including one-time workshops, short-term group series, ongoing groups, and professional development for staff. Funding options may include NDIS, school wellbeing budgets, community grants, or participant fees.

Contact us today to start a conversation about how we can support the mental health and wellbeing of teens in your school or community organization.