Outpatient Psychiatric Group Therapy for Children and Teens

If your child is struggling with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties, we understand how hard it can be to find the right therapeutic services. That's why our Pediatric Mental Health Institute has a variety of outpatient groups to help support kids, teens and their parents.

Why choose outpatient group therapy?

Each therapy group is designed to be a safe place for families to connect and get support from others. You will also learn strategies to deal with a variety of mental health concerns including ADHD, anger, anxiety and depression.

Outpatient therapy may be a good fit for your child if they are struggling to cope with difficult feelings and/or behaviors. Outpatient group therapies provided at Children's Hospital Colorado are evidence-based and focus on supporting kids, teens and their parents in learning strategies to better manage these emotional and behavioral challenges.

What group therapies are available?

Outpatient group therapy services are provided by pediatric mental health experts including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors. Groups range in length from 6 to 16 weeks, with most groups lasting 10 weeks.

Group therapies provide a unique opportunity to receive specialized mental health services from expert providers, as well as support from other children, teens and parents who are participating in the group.

Below are the different group therapies available. For more details on a group's date, time and location, please call 720-777-6200.

Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group for teens 13 to 17 years old

Our Anxiety Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Group is for teens dealing with anxiety-related difficulties and their parents. Patients who participate in this group often have a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, separation anxiety, Tourette's or tic disorders, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, school refusal, or other specific phobias. In these groups, teens learn ways to cope effectively with their anxieties, while parents learn ways to best support their children in facing their fears.

Collaborative Coping Group for children 8 to 12 years old

The Collaborative Coping Group is for kids with behavioral difficulties such as not following directions, tantrums and aggression. Patients typically have a disruptive behavior disorder diagnosis and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both child and parent participation is required. In the child group, children learn skills to manage anger and regulate negative emotions through relaxation, problem solving and communication. In the parent group, parents are taught behavioral strategies and communication skills to reduce their child's emotional dysregulation and behavioral difficulties.

Parenting Group for Children with Anxiety for children ages 8 to 12 years old

The Parenting Anxious Children Group is for caregivers who would like to learn more about childhood anxiety and how they as caregivers play an important role in helping their child overcome fears, worries, emotional distress, and avoidance of important life tasks and places. This group focuses on ways that parents can communicate and behave with their anxious child.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group for teens 13 to 17 years old

The Depressed/Bipolar Dysregulated Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group provides treatment for adolescents with mood difficulties such as depression or bipolar disorder. Teens and parents learn coping skills to regulate their emotions, tolerate distress, engage with others effectively, be mindful, and use relaxation strategies.

Parenting Group for Children with Behavioral Challenges; parents of children 3 to 7 years old

The Parenting Group for Children with Behavioral Challenges (BPG) is a group-based program that helps parents of younger children manage challenging behaviors such as not listening, acting out or temper tantrums. This program is for parents only, lasts 6 weeks and offers admission as we have availability. Parents learn about strategies that promote positive behaviors and decrease misbehavior. Additionally, a key component of the group is allowing parents managing similar behaviors to connect. This connection helps parents feel less isolated and reduces parenting stress.

Why choose group therapy at Children's Hospital Colorado?

Children's Colorado is the only hospital in the region that provides a full range of therapeutic services for children and teens who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. Our pediatric mental health providers are national experts in the field of mental health and are committed to providing therapeutic services that are evidence-based and family-centered.

Learn more about our mental health services.