DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID OUTBREAK
THE SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS ARE POSTPONED.
Dr. Michael Brooke is hopeful that the groups
can resume September 2021.
Do you know someone who struggles to fit in and make friends? Are they unhappy, anxious, or lonely?
If you said yes to these questions then these groups are a vital resource.
Get on track to fitting in and making friends!
Quote from a participant:
“I used to think small talk was pointless. Now I am taking time to talk to my coworkers. Now they are nicer to me and are more helpful.” - Alan (34) -Camas, WA
Adult Social Skills Groups
(adults of any age)
Postponed for safety until further notice.
Quote from a participant’s parent:
“My teen has fun in the group. He’s learning to tell when people are tired of listening to what you are talking about. He’s learning to pay attention to people he is talking to. I wish there were more sessions. Thank-you!” -Beth (mother of a 17 year old) –Portland, OR
Teen Social Skills Groups
(ages 14-19)
Postponed for safety until further notice.
Be notified about future social skills groups
Will this group be helpful for teens or adults?
If any of the following issues are impacting you or a relative, then this group will be a helpful, supportive resource. Has this person been diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger’s disorder, high-functioning autism, or a nonverbal learning disability? Does this person find other people’s emotions and non-verbal behavior difficult to understand? Does he or she have few or no close friends? Does the person seldom get together with friends outside of school? Does he or she get teased regularly or spend a lot of time worried about being teased? Is this person often unsuccessful in group activities? Does the person feel lonely yet continue to struggle to make friends? If you said yes to one or more of these questions, then this group is a vital resource.
Description of all Groups
During the groups the participants will improve their skills in succeeding in groups, making/maintaining friendships, and coping with teasing. They will also learn four key elements for connecting with peers via conversation through the use of Chime In! The Conversation Game developed by Dr. Brooke. New advanced and expert challenges will allow repeat participants to continue to improve their social skills.
It will also be a great opportunity to meet other peers who have had similar experiences with friends, with family, and at school and work. All activities are designed for fun and to help every participant practice the following social skills…
Reading a peer’s body language to help with making friends and succeeding in group activities
Eliminating friendship-ending behaviors, such as lecturing, hogging the conversation, and looking bored when the other person is talking
Establishing/maintaining a conversation with family and friends
Learning the give and take of conversation so that an acquaintance might become a friend, and friends become better friends.
Coping with mean teasing and friendly teasing
Why are parent support meetings a required part of the teen groups?
If you are like most parents of a teen on the spectrum you are familiar with the following three experiences 1) You love your teen, but sometimes the day-to-day struggles take everything out of you, 2) parents of teens who aren’t on the spectrum have lots of opinions but don’t really understand your struggles, and 3) often you feel quite isolated or helpless as you try to address your teen’s social needs.
The parent support group is an opportunity to connect with fellow parents who have had similar experiences. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the skills your child is practicing in the group so that you can help with the skills at home, as well as other settings. I want you to fully understanding the skills taught during the group so you can continue to mentor your child as he or she uses these skills in real life.
Exception: If your teen has participated in the group before, then the parent meetings are optional. However, if you don’t attend the parent meeting, then your teen cannot stay with the chaperone on parent meeting nights.
How large will the group be?
The group will be limited to 5-8 participants. Space is limited.
What is the cost for the group?
Each group session costs $85. The parent support sessions will be charged at $75 per session and are required for your teen to participate in the groups. Most insurance plans will pay between 50% and 90% of each session (including the parent support sessions). Patients with Kaiser can expect to only pay the co-pay per session. Patients with other insurance plans will need to pay the full fee at the time of service and will then be provided a receipt for services. They can expect their insurance company to reimburse at the plan’s out-of-network rates.
How do I reserve a place in the group?
Please contact Dr. Michael Brooke to reserve a place in the group. Please contact me at 503-481-0020 or via e-mail at drmbrooke@gmail.com. An initial intake is required along with a follow-up session with the group participant. A non-refundable deposit of $150 will be required to reserve a space. Space will be reserved on a first come-first serve basis.