Helping kids and teens grow more resilient.
Depression. Social anxiety. Peer conflict. Kids and teens deal with a lot these days.
Group programs at The Brookline Center help young people overcome challenges so they can enjoy fuller lives and experience brighter futures. Some groups feature discussion, while others focus on play. All provide a safe environment where children and teens can express their concerns and develop life-enhancing skills.
Groups we offer
The Brookline Center offers groups for kids based on the needs we see in our the community. Many of our groups are generalized in topics and engage a range of social, structured, and play-based activities. Groups may be most appropriate for youth who are struggling with the following: distress in social relationships, mild-moderate anxiety, mild-moderate depression, difficulty with self-regulation, and more. For some kids, a group is the ideal intervention. For others, group is an important supplement to individual/family treatment. Seeking support as a parent of a kid having a hard time? Check out our Parenting Groups here.
We are offering the following groups for the 2025-2026 academic year:
- Early Elementary (K-2): Groups for this age range meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm and blend routine with play. These groups may be well suited for kids hoping to practice connecting with peers, for support coping with anxiety, and more. All caregivers must stay onsite at the Center for the duration of the groups.
- *For the youngest cohort we are offering a co-scheduled Parenting Group on Mondays at 4pm.
- Older Elementary (3-5): Groups for this age range meet T/Th at 4 and W at 5pm, and continue to offer semi-structured play. Special focuses for this age range include social skill building, friendships, and self-regulation.
- Middle School (6-8): For youth in middle school grades, we offer groups on W at 4 and T/Th at 5pm. These groups focus on social connections, anxiety, and coping with difficult feelings. There will also be a 4-week skills-focused group for kids struggling with negative symptoms of depression or anxiety in late fall and late spring.
- High School: Youth this age can take part in groups that have increasingly defined focus:
- Teen Self-Compassion Group meets at 6pm on Tuesdays
- Adolescent DBT Group meets at 5 on Wednesdays, and is a great skills-based supplement to individual treatment
- Gender Exploration Group meets at 4 on Wednesdays
- Adolescent Process discussion-based group meets on Thursdays at 5pm
- Skills to Enhance Positivity Skills-Based Group (4 weeks only) will be offered in early fall and winter and is available to those with established individual or family services (takes place via telehealth).
Availability
While most child and teen groups start or reconvene in the fall of each year, we also offer rolling admissions whenever there is space in a group. Please contact our Intake Team at 617-860-2084 to confirm current availability or complete a Request for Care Form here.
Groups are typically organized by age/grade level. Our group clinicians will work with you to find the best fit based on your child and their individual needs, identity, and preferences.
