Parents, teachers, providers, and caregivers, this is for you: Have you ever wished for a safe, nurturing space where children feel truly seen, heard, and understood? A smaller, supportive group where kids receive focused, compassionate guidance alongside peers who share similar experiences? Whether you’re a parent seeking trusted support or an educator or provider looking for a group to confidently refer children to, you’re not alone, and we’re here to help.
Many children long for deeper connection and understanding, and many parents seek trusted places to support that journey. Children often crave genuine connection, and parents look for ways to help them build meaningful relationships.
At Heritage Counseling & Consulting in Plano, Texas, we understand these heartfelt needs. That’s why we offer Social and Self-Esteem Groups tailored specifically to meet the emotional and social needs of children and adolescents.
Group therapy is more than just a gathering; it’s a powerful tool for building emotional resilience, strengthening friendships, and boosting confidence that lasts. Our programs allow kids to learn therapeutic skills in a safe, supportive setting while practicing these skills with peers who share similar experiences. This peer interaction helps children truly internalize what they learn, making it easier to apply these tools in real-world situations.
We are proud to currently offer two clinically informed, structured, and interactive group therapy options:
Empowered Girls: A Self-Esteem Group for Middle School Girls
Social Skills Group: Designed for Elementary-Aged Children
Each group is thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are and help them build the skills and confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges. Whether your child is just beginning to explore social connections or looking to strengthen their sense of self, our groups provide a safe and encouraging space to grow.
Why Group Therapy Works for Children
As a therapist who has spent years working closely with children and adolescents, I’ve witnessed firsthand the unique power that group therapy holds. While individual therapy provides invaluable one-on-one support, group therapy offers something truly special: a dynamic space where children learn and grow alongside peers who understand them.
Children naturally seek connection. In a group, they find a sense of belonging and shared experience that can be hard to replicate elsewhere. This shared space allows children to see that they are not alone in their feelings and challenges, which can be incredibly comforting and validating.
Beyond simply sharing, group therapy provides real-time opportunities to practice essential social and emotional skills. These moments of interaction become practical lessons, not just something they talk about, but something they experience and apply with their peers.
One of the most profound and beautiful aspects of group therapy is the natural, organic moments of healing that arise. As children feel safe enough to share their personal experiences, glimmers of support, deep empathy, and mutual understanding often emerge. These genuine moments of connection and acceptance are unique to the group setting and can be deeply transformative.
Peer modeling is another powerful component. Children observe others handling situations with courage and empathy, and they receive honest, caring feedback that encourages growth. The encouragement they give and receive helps build confidence and self-awareness in ways individual therapy alone cannot replicate.
Research supports what I see in practice: children involved in group therapy often show marked improvements in self-esteem, empathy, emotional regulation, and behavior. Perhaps just as importantly, these groups help reduce feelings of isolation and foster more positive, lasting connections with others.
This is especially crucial as children grow and enter adolescence, a time when their social world becomes one of their primary influences. Friends become vital sources of support, identity, inclusion, and advice. Younger children benefit greatly from opportunities to build socialization skills in the group setting, and as the therapist, I can provide in-the-moment redirection to foster new learning and offer praise to reinforce positive behaviors. Meanwhile, older adolescents gain from establishing a sense of community, experiencing positive social influence, and feeling truly understood by their peers. Group therapy equips children and teens alike to navigate these complex social landscapes with resilience and authenticity.
Who Benefits from Group Therapy?
Group therapy can be incredibly beneficial for children across a wide range of ages, temperaments, and needs. While it is a powerful tool for children with clinical diagnoses, it is just as valuable for those without. The group setting provides a safe, encouraging space where children can sharpen their social and emotional skills, build positive relationships, and feel a sense of belonging.
At its core, group therapy supports children in learning how to relate to others, advocate for themselves, manage emotions, and develop confidence. These skills are vital not only for friendships but for overall mental and emotional well-being.
Group therapy may be a great fit for children who:
Struggle to make or maintain friendships or have experienced challenges such as social exclusion, bullying, or feeling left out
Have difficulty with communication — such as picking up on social cues, maintaining conversations, or expressing their needs clearly
Experience social anxiety, are slow to warm up in new environments, or tend to be shy or withdrawn
Struggle with self-esteem or identity development, including children who express insecurities or keep their emotions inward
Need a safe space to process their feelings, experiences, and interpersonal challenges with guided support
Have difficulty navigating peer conflict or group dynamics, whether in the classroom, extracurricular activities, or daily life
Are part of the neurodivergent population, such as those with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning differences, or developmental delays, and may benefit from explicit social skills instruction, structured support, and peer interaction
Haven’t had much exposure to peer groups and may benefit from the opportunity to build social confidence in a smaller, guided setting
Group Therapy Now Being Offered at Heritage Counseling and Consulting
Each group at Heritage Counseling is carefully designed to support age-appropriate development and individualized needs.
Format of Groups at Heritage Counseling
When: Bi-weekly
Where: Heritage Counseling & Consulting, Plano Office
Facilitator: Muranna Sherwood, MA, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
Includes: A 50-minute parent consultation midway through the group
The Empowered Girls: Self-Esteem Group for Middle School Girls is a 10-session therapy group for girls in grades 6–8. The focus is on building self-confidence, strengthening identity, and developing a healthy self-image during a critical stage of emotional and social development.
Topics Covered Include:
What is Self-Esteem? Understanding the foundation of self-worth
Strengths & Talents: Discovering what makes you you
Positive Affirmations & Self-Talk: Rewriting your inner dialogue
Identity & Self-Discovery: Exploring who you are becoming
Social Influences: How social groups and media shape self-image
Peer Pressure: Learning to stand strong in your values
Internal vs. External Validation: Where does your confidence come from?
Bullying & Boundaries: Speaking up and staying safe
Physical Appearance & Body Positivity: Embracing all of you
Values & Vision: Building a strong future based on what matters most
This group is ideal for middle school girls who are navigating shifting social dynamics, self-esteem challenges or struggles with identity and confidence. More detailed information can be found here.
The Social Skills Group for Elementary-Aged Children is a 10-session therapy group designed for children in elementary school. This group supports the development of age-appropriate social-emotional skills through play, discussion, and experiential learning.
Curriculum Includes:
Making and Maintaining Friendships
Social Communication Skills (Conversation Starters, Reciprocal Communication, Active Listening, etc.)
Teamwork and Cooperation
Emotion Expression and Regulation of Self and Others
Empathy and Building Theory of Mind
Social Cues (Tone of Voice, Facial Expressions, and Body Language)
Social Boundaries and Personal Space
Conflict Resolution, Repair, Apologies, and Forgiveness
This group can be especially supportive for neurodivergent children, including those with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning differences, or communication delays, as well as children who experience social anxiety. That said, any child who could benefit from extra support in building social confidence, connection, and communication skills is welcome. More detailed information can be found here.
The Role of Parents in Group Therapy
Caregiver involvement is a vital part of a child’s success in group therapy. While parents will not be present during the actual group sessions, your support and engagement outside of group play a key role in helping your child integrate what they’re learning. When parents are informed and involved, children are more likely to apply their new skills in everyday life—and feel more confident doing so.
You can support your child’s growth in group therapy by:
Encouraging consistent attendance and participation, which helps your child feel safe, connected, and invested in the process
Reinforcing group concepts at home through conversations and modeling. After each session, I’ll send a brief summary outlining the week’s focus, key skills introduced, and simple ways you can support ongoing learning and reflection at home
Participating in scheduled parent consultations, where we can talk through parenting strategies that complement what your child is exploring in group
The goal is to extend the impact of group therapy beyond the therapy room, supporting your child in developing lasting confidence, emotional awareness, and healthy relationships in their everyday world.
Getting Started
If you feel that group therapy could be a good fit for your child, we’d love to connect with you. To learn more or begin the enrollment process, please reach out to our office at 214-363-2345 ext. 2. Group sizes are intentionally kept small to create a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic environment—so space is limited. We’re here to answer any questions you may have and help determine if a group is the right next step for your child’s growth and well-being.