Group therapy can be a very powerful tool for healing!  Let's look at the reasons for groups:

1)  Attending a group session is considerably cheaper than one-on-one therapy.  The licensed therapists at Chico Creek Counseling charge about $100 per individual session, while the pre-licensed interns charge about $75 per session.  Group therapy sessions range in price from $25-$40 depending on the therapist leading the group and the topic.  Currently, we have a group for parents of teenagers that runs $25 per session.  That's 1/4-1/3 the regular rate of therapy.  You leave having been heard, learning new skills, but your pocketbook hasn't been quite as affected.

2) Closed groups vs Open groups.  Most group therapy is provided as a closed group.  What this means is that the people who join in the beginning are the only people allowed to be a part of the group for the duration of the schedule.  In time, you let down your guard, you talk about your struggles and they talk about theirs.  A trusting and safe atmosphere is created between you and the other group members.  The therapist participates as an educator, leader, and helper - but everyone gets a chance to be heard and to help one another.  You sign up for this group and you commit to being there for the tenure of the weeks.  An open group; on the other hand, can have people coming in and out.  You don't have to commit, you can come for the topics that you need and skip the topics you think you have handled already.  In an open group, you still share your experiences and you help others with ideas and support just as you would in a closed group, but you don't go quite as deeply or intimately.  This is great for people who have a hard time opening up.

The Parenting Your Teen group going right now is an open group.

I chose this career because I have a deep passion for helping others.  I know that for some, one-on-one therapy can either be intimidating or can be a financial hardship.  This is why I facilitate the occasional group therapy.

If group therapy is something you might be interested in, then please contact me to find out if I have a group in progress or on the calendar to begin soon.  Also, if I don't have a group happening right now, but you have a topic that interests you then I would be glad to talk and brainstorm with you about putting a group together!  Sometimes a group isn't happening because I just haven't had the a-ha moment to think of it!!!  Your suggestions are very welcome!

Some groups held now or in the past are:

• Parents of Toddlers
• Parents of Pre-Teens & Teenagers
• Discovering your Authentic Self
• Boundaries & Confidence

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Jessica Wilkerson also provides therapy to families, couples, individuals, children and teens.

To make an appointment with Jessica for therapy, please call her at (530) 921-5122 or email her at jwilkerson@chicocreekcounseling.com.  You can find her on her office webpage at: http://chicocreekcounseling.com/our-staff/jessica-wilkerson/

Tuesday evenings 6:00-7:30 pm, now through June 24.  Chico Creek Counseling.

Beginning next week, I'm offering a 7 week group for parents of adolescents.  If you have a pre-teen or teenager and your relationship with him/her has been affected by their new sets of behaviors.  Is this happening:  One minute they are sweet talking you like when they were little, the next minute they're screaming at you that you don't know anything and you're so unfair?

Has there been a change in your teenager's life: divorce of parents, changing of schools, changing of friends, the new freedom of having a driver's license or job, drama with friends.

And have you noticed these changes have also created changes in your home life. It's affecting your teen, but it's also contributing to confusion and hurt feelings by the rest of the family, and you've been trying your best to figure things out and smooth them over.

You are NOT alone!

I have provided therapy to many, many junior high and high school kids.  I have provided a lot of family therapy: the parents, the child(ren), me, and the sofa.  It seems that so many similar themes play out in families during this time of restructuring.  Every family I work with is very unique, and yet still struggling in similar ways.

I've created a 6 week program to talk about topics that I see as reoccurring themes to help parents know what is in their power.  Where to give leeway, where to hold firm, and develop a little more understanding about what is going on in that teen brain!

The group is $25 per session.  However, because for me this group is more about helping families.  Helping teens by helping their parents.  Helping fellow parents keep their serenity.  Because I'm passionate for families, I'm not doing this group to grow rich in money, but rich in love and satisfaction of helping others.  The first parent in the family who attends pays $25, but the second parent is only $10 (plus, the first session you attend is free!)  

Parent can also be a grandparent or caregiver struggling with the behaviors in the home, and looking to be a support system for the family.

Please call or text (530) 921-5122 or email jwilkerson@chicocreekcounseling.com to register.

Class schedule is as follows:

5/13 - What is going on in that brain?!?!  Discussion about the changes in the teen brain & how it
           affects behavior.
5/20 - Where did I go wrong?  No one is perfect all the time.  How guilt influences the way we
           parent, & how to shed guilt.
5/27 - Expectations.  Parent expectations, tween/teen expectations - where is the balance? 
6/3 -   Boundaries with Teens.  Where do you draw your line, and how do you hold to it?
6/10 - A Family on a Mission.  How to bring cohesion to your family so everyone is on track &
           going the same direction. 
6/17 - Does it sometimes feel like your family is in chaos?  Learn strategies & techniques for
           holding a family meeting and getting your teen invested in the rules & the decisions made
          during that meeting.
6/24 - Conversation Hour.  No particular topic.  What is the nagging thing that is still lingering in 
           your family, and you want to talk about with Jessica and with a few other parents.  
           Let's just sit, chat, and troubleshoot!

To make an appointment with Jessica for therapy, please call her at (530) 921-5122 or email her at jwilkerson@chicocreekcounseling.com.  You can find her on her office webpage at: http://chicocreekcounseling.com/our-staff/jessica-wilkerson/