About Open Doors
Open Doors Social Skills Groups are designed to provide children the opportunity to develop valuable social strategies for enhanced interactions with peers and family. Participation helps children and adolescents constructivley release pent up tension. It is comforting to hear peers voicing similar experiences, feelings and fears, making it that much easier to express their own. We focus on promoting communication, and as a result, individuals begin to explore their fears while strengthening appropriate responses to negative emotions. Help those you love learn how to define themselves and the world around them.
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Groups meet weekly for 1 hour
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Group sessions are independently planned and tailored to the needs of the participants
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Participants are grouped by age and parental concerns
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All ages are welcome
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Format includes techniques such as role play, goal setting, arts & crafts, guidance games and other activities
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Group summaries are emailed weekly
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Assessments and follow-up recommendations are available
Open Doors Social Skills Groups are best for children and adolescents who face difficulties interacting with same-age peers. This may include individuals with ADHD, nonverbal learning disabilities, Aspergers Syndrome, social communication challenges, and other types of behavioral or learning issues.
In Group We Will Learn About
Positive self-esteem is the basis of overall functioning. In group we first recognize how we feel about ourselves, focusing on identifying and expressing our feelings appropriately. We look at ways to boost our self-esteem learning about "self-talk", trying new things and self management.
In group, we learn about helping to prevent and responding to bullying and teasing. We focus on conflict resolution practices and the difference between aggression and assertion. We share our experiences and support one another in our own experiences related to bullying.
In group we heighten our awareness of others' nonverbal social cues such as eye contact, facial expression and other signs that allow us to understand and empathize with how other people feel.
In group we practice and learn about both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. We focus on how to be a good listener, the importance of maintaining good eye contact, respecting personal space and how we send messages without talking. Verbally, we learn about initiating contact with peers, carrying on conversations appropriately, being open minded to others' interests and recognizing patterns in how we speak to others.
In group we focus on areas related to many different types of family issues including adoption, divorce, step-family, sibling rivalry as well as other challenging situations related to getting along with our families.
In group we learn how to express our feelings appropriately. We learn breathing and relaxation techniques and the importance of talking it out when we feel angry, frustrated and sad.
In group we learn the importance of self control and thinking before acting, especially when feeling angry. We learn valuable ways to make good choices in our lives.
In group we learn about the importance of confronting problems we face in our everyday lives. We learn about the steps we can take to make the right choices that will lead to more positive outcomes, helping us form healthier relationships.
In group we learn about coping skills, both negative and positive. We learn about stress and how it affects our lives, and the best ways to manage it.
SELF ESTEEM
BULLYING
READING OTHERS' SOCIAL CUES
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
ANGER MANAGEMENT
IMPULSIVITY / SELF CONTROL
PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
COPING SKILLS
FAMILY ISSUES
About Nicole Pollack LMSW,CSW
Nicole Pollack, LMSW, CSW, earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master's Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. She has spent her career working with children, adolescents, and adults both individually and in groups in a multitude of settings including schools, residential facilities and family agencies. She has been affiliated with William Beaumont Hospital's Center for Human Development since 1994. In addition, she has taught both special and regular education classes. Her clients have included foster care, children with ADHD, Aspergers Syndrome and other learning differences. Pollack is passionate about improving the lives of children and their families, and founded Open Doors over 20 years ago to help children reach their fullest potential and enrich their lives.
Groups Are Now Forming
Currently facilitating groups at Corewell Children's Center in Southfield.
For more information, please fill out the form below