CommuniGroup
Building Social Comfort and Communication in a Small Group Setting
What: A 6-week group therapy program to help your child with selective mutism, social anxiety, or shyness build the social comfort and communication skills needed in school, the real world, and home. This program is based on the evidence-based Social Communication Anxiety Treatment® (S-CAT®), developed by Elisa Shipon-Blum, DO. This group program will help your child cross the bridge to social communication! Parents will also learn strategies that they can use in everyday life. Groups are intentionally kept small to allow for more individualized attention and building comfort in social settings.
Who: Children ages 3-7 with selective mutism, social anxiety, and/or extreme shyness.
When:
CommuniGroup Winter Session (AT CAPACITY)
Parent Orientation Session: Monday, January 16: 9:30-11:30 am or 1:30-3:30 pm
Group Therapy Sessions: Mondays: January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27
CommuniGroup Spring Session (AT CAPACITY)
Parent Orientation Session: Friday, March 10: 9:30-11:30 am or 1:30-3:30 pm
Group Therapy Sessions: Mondays: March 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17
Time: 3-5 year olds: 1:30-2:30 pm; 5-7 year olds: 3:30-4:30 pm
If you were interested in CommuniGroup, but were not able to participate in either of these sessions, follow this link to fill out our interest form:
https://fs4.formsite.com/smartcenter/GroupInterest/index.html
We will be in contact about future availabilities regarding CommuniGroup!
Where: SMart Center
505 North Old York Road
Jenkintown Square, Lower Level
Jenkintown, PA 19046
How to Apply: If you’re interested in participating in the CommuniGroup program, please complete an online application. Applications will then be reviewed by a clinician, who will call you to discuss your child’s eligibility for the program.
Application Process and Fees: To participate in the CommuniGroup program, families will go through the following steps:
Step 1: Complete an online application to determine preliminary eligibility. Your application will be reviewed by a clinician, who will then offer a 15-minute phone consultation to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Cost: $75
*Established SMart Center patients: You are eligible to submit the application for FREE.
Use the Coupon Code: SMartPatient
Step 2: Complete a 90-minute, in-person intake session with a clinician. This session will assess the child’s current level of functioning in social communication and confirm eligibility for the CommuniGroup program.
Cost: $300
*If your child has ever participated in any S-CAT programs/treatment services at the SMart Center in the past, the intake interview is not necessary. After your application is reviewed by our team, we will notify you if an intake must be scheduled
Step 3: Parents attend a 2-hour parent orientation session. This session will provide an overview of the CommuniGroup program and how to implement S-CAT® strategies between group sessions.
Cost: $150/person or $200/couple
Step 4: Children attend weekly group therapy sessions designed to build social comfort and communication. Parents receive weekly reports on their childs progress.
Cost: $75/session