Tween Social Skills Group

In-Person in Teaneck, NJ

Mondays | 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Starting March 9th

Your child wants friends.

Deep down, they crave connection and belonging. They want to be part of the group, to share inside jokes, and to feel understood. The desire is there, but the pathway isn't always clear.

Does This Sound Like Your Child?

But the Struggle is real:

  • They struggle to join conversations or read the room

  • They miss social cues that other children seem to catch naturally

  • They interrupt when excited or withdraw when uncertain

  • They feel left out, misunderstood, or different from peers

Maybe they've been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder. Or maybe they just seem socially unsure, struggling to navigate the unwritten rules of friendship.

If your child wants connection but doesn't yet know how to build it, this group is designed specifically for them.

This is not a passive discussion group where children simply talk about feelings. It is a structured, skills-based group actively facilitated by a licensed therapist.

What Makes This Group Different?

Explicitly Taught

Each skill is broken down into clear, concrete steps that children can understand and remember

Modeled

The therapist demonstrates skills in action, showing exactly what effective social interaction looks like

Practiced

Children rehearse skills in real time with peers in a safe, supportive environment

Reinforced

Positive behaviors are recognized and celebrated, building confidence through success

Children are taught specific social tools, and then practice them with peers in a safe, guided environment. We help children understand not just what to do socially, but why it works, building both competence and insight.

This active, experiential approach creates lasting change because children don't just learn about social skills - they live them.

What Your Child Will Learn

Conversational Confidence

How to start conversations with peers, maintain engaging dialogue through active listening and relevant responses, and exit conversations naturally without awkwardness or abruptness.

Reading the Room

Understanding facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Learning to notice when others are interested, bored, uncomfortable, or ready to move on.

Group Navigation

How to join peer activities smoothly, contribute without interrupting or dominating, and understand group dynamics and unspoken social rules.

Emotion Regulation in Peer Settings

Managing frustration when things don't go their way, coping with rejection or exclusion, and handling social anxiety in group situations.

Conflict Resolution & Repair

How to handle teasing and disagreements effectively, apologize genuinely when needed, and rebuild friendships after misunderstandings or conflicts.

Social Awareness

Understanding how their behavior impacts others, recognizing social feedback, and adjusting their approach based on peer responses.

The Transformation

Social skills groups create meaningful, lasting change. Children move from feeling confused and isolated to feeling capable and connected. This shift isn't just about behavior—it's about identity and self-perception.

Many of our group members have reported the following:

  • Feel more confident in school hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds

  • Understand peer dynamics more clearly and can anticipate social situations

  • Navigate rejection with greater resilience and emotional flexibility

  • Build stronger conversational skills and can maintain longer interactions

  • Experience genuine belonging and authentic friendships

  • Advocate for themselves and communicate their needs more effectively

The Two Key Ingredients

This group helps children develop both skill (the practical tools for social interaction) and insight (understanding why certain behaviors work). Together, these create lasting social growth that extends far beyond the group room.

Who This Group Is For

This group is designed for tweens who are socially capable but need structured guidance to unlock their potential. We welcome children with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Ages 9-11

Mixed-gender group for tweens in this developmental stage

Friendship Challenges

Children struggling to make or maintain peer relationships

Social Cue Difficulties

Kids who miss nonverbal signals and unspoken social rules

Diagnoses

This group is open to both children without any diagnoses, as well as children with ADHD, anxiety, ASD, or social communication challenges

Desire for Connection

Tweens who want friendships but need guidance building them

If your child is socially capable but unsure—if they have the potential but need the pathway—this group provides the structured support they need. We meet children where they are and help them grow into the confident, connected individuals they want to become.

Practical Details

When

Mondays

6:00 - 7:00 PM

Begins March 9th

12 Weeks

60-minute sessions

Duration

Limited Spots Available

To maintain a supportive, personalized environment where each child receives individual attention, we keep our group size intentionally small. This ensures that your child will have ample opportunity to practice skills, receive feedback, and build genuine connections with peers.

Spaces fill quickly. Secure your child's spot by scheduling a free consultation today.

101 Cedar Lane, Suite 304, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Where

$150 per session

$225 for Intake Appointment

Sliding Scale spots available - inquire if you could benefit from this

Price

Duration

Meet Your Facilitator

Kaylie Jacobs, LSW

Kaylie specializes in working with children and adolescents navigating anxiety, ADHD, and social skills development. Her therapeutic approach blends warmth with structure, creating an environment where children feel genuinely understood while building meaningful, lasting change.

With extensive training in evidence-based interventions for social communication challenges, Kaylie brings both clinical expertise and authentic connection to every session. She understands that social struggles aren't about trying harder—they're about learning differently.

Kaylie's practical, skills-based approach helps children not only understand what to do in social situations, but why certain strategies work. This deeper comprehension builds confidence that extends far beyond the therapy room into classrooms, playgrounds, and friendships.

Taking the first step toward support can feel overwhelming. That's why we offer a brief, no-pressure consultation to ensure this group is the right fit for your child and your family.

During our call, we’ll discuss:

Your child's social strengths and challenges. We'll talk about what's working and where they struggle most.

Whether this group is the right fit. We'll determine if this program matches your child's needs and developmental stage.

What to expect from the intake process. We'll outline next steps, timeline, and how to prepare your child.

Ready to Learn More?

Have questions? Reach out anytime. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the group format, what to expect, or whether this might be right for your child.

Take the Next Step

Click the button or complete the form on this page to to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about joining the group.