How Group Therapy Helps Children Build Confidence and Social Skills

One of the hardest parts of working with children who are struggling emotionally, especially with anxiety, is hearing how often they believe they are the only one who feels this way.

Even though we talk about mental health more than we used to, it is still often kept quiet. Kids may not feel comfortable speaking up about what they are going through, and when they start to feel isolated, that can lead them down a very tricky road.

Group therapy changes that.

Group Therapy Shows Kids They Are Not Alone

When a child joins a group and realizes others their age have similar thoughts and feelings, something shifts. That belief of “I’m the only one” starts to fade.

They begin to feel understood. They feel more “normal,” and that alone can be incredibly healing.

Group therapy helps kids see that anxiety and other challenges do not make them weird or broken. They begin to understand that they are human, and that others struggle too.

They Build Confidence Through Connection

Confidence is not just about speaking up. It is about feeling accepted and seen.

In group therapy, children hear other kids share stories that sound just like their own. They learn that it is safe to talk about what they feel. And when they do, they are met with support and encouragement.

Over time, this helps them feel more comfortable in their own skin. They begin to trust that their feelings matter and that they are capable of handling them.

They Learn and Practice New Skills Together

Group therapy is not just about talking. Kids learn tools they can use in everyday life.

This might include:

• Managing anxious thoughts

• Calming their bodies during overwhelming moments

• Communicating clearly with friends

• Handling peer pressure

• Navigating conflicts in healthier ways
  

And because they are learning these skills alongside other kids, they get to practice them in real time, which helps the lessons stick.

They Celebrate Success as a Group

There is something special about watching a child say, “I used the breathing technique from group and it helped me fall asleep,” or “I stood up for myself at lunch.”

Then seeing the other kids cheer them on or say, “I want to try that too.”

These moments build confidence and create a sense of shared success. Kids feel proud not only of themselves but of each other. That sense of community matters.

Group Therapy Builds Resilience and Belonging

If your child is struggling with anxiety, low confidence, or social challenges, group therapy can offer something individual therapy sometimes cannot: the chance to feel connected to others who truly understand.

When children feel safe and supported, they begin to grow. They build confidence. They learn healthy ways to handle difficult emotions. They feel less alone.

If you are curious whether group therapy might be a good fit for your child, I would be happy to talk with you more.

Let’s give your child the tools and the support they deserve.