Group Therapy for Teens at Ridge RTC
For many people, teenage years can be a challenge. Adolescent years come with a number of changes to the body and the brain as both develop on the path to adulthood. Unfortunately, this can lead to mental and behavioral health issues. While at Ridge RTC, teens participate in many different therapeutic programs. One of which, is group therapy.
With teen group therapy at the Ridge, we can help your child work through their mental health struggles in a nurturing environment that promotes growth, healing, and personal development.
What Is Group Therapy?
As the name suggests, group therapy is a type of therapy that is conducted in a group setting. While individual therapy takes place in a 1-on1 setting with just a therapist and patient, group therapy sessions involve multiple patients and at least one therapist, sometimes more.
The goal of group therapy is for the group to come together, usually over a mutual diagnosis or similar experiences so that they can share their experiences, emotions, and challenges in a supportive and confidential environment surrounded by others that can truly understand and grasp what everyone is going through.
Group therapy sessions often center around a specific topic. During each session, participants often take turns talking and sharing their feelings or personal stories related to the topic of the day.
Group therapy sessions at Ridge RTC are structured to create a safe and non-judgmental space for residents to explore their thoughts and feelings. The therapist encourages open communication and guides the discussions, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to share and be heard. The group dynamic can be transformative as individuals receive support and feedback from their peers, promoting personal growth and self-awareness.
Benefits of Group Therapy For Teens
Group therapy offers a number of benefits for teens, enhancing their therapeutic journey and promoting positive outcomes.
Below are some of the biggest benefits when it comes to attending regular group therapy sessions while enrolled in our short-term residential treatment center for teens.
One of the biggest benefits of group therapy for teens is the support they receive from the others participating in their group therapy sessions.
Adolescence can be a challenging phase of life, and teens often feel isolated and misunderstood. Engaging in group therapy provides an opportunity for teens to connect with peers who may have faced similar struggles. Through shared experiences, teens often realize they are not alone in their journey, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.
This peer support can be useful long after treatment and therapy have ended as well. In fact, often group therapy members remain active members in a participant’s support system for months, years, or even decades, continuing to offer encouragement and understanding
Another major benefit of group therapy is learning different ways to cope with one’s struggles.
Every person that attends group therapy is unique and, with that, has different perspectives. By witnessing the progress and successes of their peers, teens gain inspiration and motivation for their own healing process. Additionally, group members can learn from one another’s challenges and triumphs, acquiring valuable life skills and coping mechanisms along the way.
Group therapy encourages freedom of expression. Within the safe space of the group, teens are able to practice effective communication, active listening, and constructive feedback.
These are all skills that are crucial for developing healthy relationships and managing conflicts in their lives both now and in the future as they get older.
For some teens, social skills development may be a part of their treatment goals. Engaging in group therapy provides a natural setting for practicing social interactions, building self-confidence, and developing meaningful connections with others.
What Happens During Group Therapy?
While group therapy sessions can vary based on the type of session it is, most group therapy sessions follow a similar structure.
Most group therapy sessions start with introductions where everyone has the opportunity to take turns introducing themselves and sharing a little about themselves. This is done to ease the tension and make everyone feel comfortable.
Once the introductions have been completed, the therapist or therapists that are running the group session will go over any rules and expectations that they have. This may include maintaining confidentiality, active listening, and speaking from personal experiences rather than giving advice.
After the ground rules have been established the therapist will then likely provide the topic for that particular session and allow the participants to take turns sharing their thoughts, emotions, and experiences related to that session’s topic or theme. During this time participants are often encouraged to offer feedback and support in a constructive and helpful manner.
At the end of the session, the therapist will often allot time for closure and reflection. Participants may share their takeaways from the session or discuss any feelings that arose during the group process.
Ridge RTC Offers Help For Teens
At the Ridge, we understand the unique challenges that your teen may be experiencing. That’s because we are a short-term residential treatment center that specifically caters to those in their teen years.
Our program prioritizes therapy, increased structure, higher levels of supervision, and fewer distractions to empower our residents to develop the critical strengths they need.
While we are a short-term facility, we do offer a wide range of treatment options and services for those teens that may be struggling including:
Upon admission, residents undergo a thorough assessment process to determine their specific needs and challenges. Our team of highly trained professionals collaborates to develop individualized treatment plans, ensuring that each resident receives the appropriate level of care. Our focus on stabilization allows residents to feel safe and secure, laying the groundwork for meaningful therapeutic progress.
At Ridge RTC, we offer a number of evidence-based therapeutic interventions led by licensed professionals. In addition to group therapy, we also offer:
- Family Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
For those in need of academic support, the Ridge offers 8 hours of educational programming per week. Clients at the Ridge will have access to an Educational Liaison who will work with the school in which they are currently enrolled to facilitate asynchronous learning of provided materials. Additionally, the Ridge offers classroom time focused on life skills, classroom skills, executive functioning, current events, and other age and treatment appropriate topics
At Ridge RTC, we prioritize the physical and mental well-being of our residents, ensuring that they receive comprehensive medical care throughout their stay.
Our psychiatrist meets with clients on a weekly basis to provide expert mental health care to all of our residents. Our psychiatrist can provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and support with regular check-ins.
Additionally, we also have a nurse practitioner and registered nurses (RN), all of whom work closely with your child’s treatment team to ensure seamless communication between all involved parties. They are also available to provide any additional medical care your child may need at either your recommendation or the recommendation of their treatment professionals.
Get Your Teen the Help They Need with Teen Group Therapy at the Ridge
Teen years can be a challenge for not just the child but for the parents as well. No parent wants to see their child struggle whether it be physically, academically, or mentally.
At Ridge RTC, we understand the unique challenges teens face. That’s why our short-term residential treatment program is offered specifically to teens who may be struggling with a variety of issues including mental health struggles, school refusal, substance abuse issues, and even suicidal thoughts and actions.
Through our unique and innovative approach, we offer stabilization, assessment, clinical help, academic support, and comprehensive medical care. If your child is struggling and could benefit from any of our treatment programs, including group therapy, contact us today. We want to make sure your teen gets the help that they need so that they can go on to live a happy and healthy life.
Megan, now the Medical Director at Ridge RTC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a rich history in medical and mental health services. Her journey includes six years as an Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Frisbie Memorial Hospital and a transformative tenure at Shortridge Academy. Starting as a student mentor at Shortridge in 2012, she climbed the ranks to become Residential Manager, a role that had her creating student trips and managing the residential environment. Before embarking on her medical career, Megan championed the cause of those with severe mental illness as a Case Manager at a community agency.
Ridge RTC is part of the Altior Healthcare family of mental health treatment providers.