You might have heard about group therapy… but you are not quite sure what it actually looks like.
Maybe your child:
- Finds it hard to make or keep friends
- Struggles in group settings like school or play
- Gets overwhelmed or unsure around other children
- Needs support with communication, confidence, or routines
And you might be thinking:
“Would being in a group help… or make things harder?”
What is group therapy for children?
Group therapy is a structured, supported environment where children learn and practise important skills alongside other children.
Instead of working one-on-one, children take part in small groups guided by a therapist. These sessions are carefully designed to support:
- Social interaction
- Communication
- Emotional regulation
- Everyday functional skills
It’s not about putting children “in a group and hoping for the best.”
It’s about creating the right environment where learning happens naturally through interaction.
Why a group setting can be so powerful
Many of the skills children are working on don’t happen in isolation — they happen with other people.
Things like:
- Taking turns
- Waiting
- Sharing ideas
- Joining in
- Handling frustration
These are hard to practise in a 1:1 session alone.
In a group, children get the chance to:
- Learn by watching others
- Practise skills in real time
- Experience success in social situations
What does group therapy actually look like?
This is often where parents feel unsure.
Group therapy doesn’t look like:
- Sitting in a circle being told what to do
- Forced interaction
It looks like:
- Play-based activities
- Structured games
- Hands-on tasks
- Guided interaction with support
Example 1: Younger child (early years / preschool)
A small group might:
- Play turn-taking games
- Do simple crafts together
- Practise asking for help or sharing materials
- Learn to follow group routines
The therapist gently supports each child:
- When to join in
- How to communicate
- How to manage small challenges
Over time, children:
- Feel more confident around others
- Begin to join in more independently
- Learn how to navigate simple social situations
Example 2: Older child (primary school)
A group might focus on:
- Problem-solving tasks
- Team-based activities
- Conversation skills
- Managing frustration during challenges
Children practise:
- Working together
- Handling disagreements
- Expressing ideas
- Staying engaged in group tasks
Over time, children:
- Build confidence in social settings
- Feel more comfortable at school
- Develop skills they can use in real-life situations
How this connects to school and everyday life
Group therapy is often designed to reflect what children experience at school.
That’s because many challenges show up in:
- Classroom group work
- Playground interactions
- Transitions between activities
- Following shared routines
If you’d like to understand how support works within the classroom itself, you can read more here:
What Is Occupational Therapy in the Schools?
Who is group therapy helpful for?
Group therapy can support children who:
- Find social situations challenging
- Feel unsure around peers
- Struggle with emotional regulation
- Need support with confidence or independence
- Are preparing for school or transitioning into new environments
It’s not about a specific diagnosis — it’s about what your child needs support with.
Simple ways to support your child at home
You don’t need to recreate group therapy — but you can support similar skills in everyday moments.
1. Create opportunities for shared play
Play alongside siblings or peers when possible.
2. Practise turn-taking in simple games
3. Use everyday moments to model communication
4. Support small social successes
Even brief interactions are valuable.
5. Keep expectations realistic and supportive
Many of these skills are built through play in natural ways. If you’d like ideas, you can explore:
Whole Body Listening Games and Activities
If you’re wondering about next steps
Group therapy can feel like a big step — and it’s okay to take your time.
For many children, it becomes a space where they:
- Feel understood
- Build confidence
- Practise real-life skills in a supported way
If you’re wondering whether group therapy might be a good fit for your child, the next step is understanding what they might gain from it.
You can explore that here:
benefits of group therapy for kids
Or if you’d prefer to talk it through, our team is always here to help — at your pace.