Group Programs & Workshops:

Group programs offered at Behaviour Matters incorporate the well-established, evidence-based curriculums of Social Thinking and PEERS. A Registered Social Worker supervises groups; coverage may apply if you have MSW, RSW coverage in your benefits plan.

Sessions include cooperative activities, games, role-playing, discussions, expressive art activities, home assignments, and access to our parent resources.

Parents receive weekly mini parent teaches and are encouraged to sign up for our extended Social-Emotional Skills Parenting Strategies Webinars or Parent Coaching throughout the program.

Families begin their journey by meeting with our Program Coordinator to discuss the best fit and registration. Students can repeat a program more than once and are encouraged to continue working through the rest of our social-emotional programs to master their social-emotional skills

KICK™ – KIND INDEPENDENT CAPABLE KIDS

Advancing in Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

KICK™ is perfect for ages 11 - 13 (grades 5 - 8)

In our KICK program, the participants will learn the basics surrounding different communication styles and are given the opportunity to practice conversational skills. We will explore emotional awareness by helping the participants improve their emotional vocabulary and monitoring their body for the physical symptoms of various emotions. Participants will learn about the importance of perspective-taking and how to recognize their own personal values while respecting others' differing values. We will explore choices, natural and logical consequences, and various ways to solve problems. The participants will begin to learn about control, and the uncomfortable feeling that occurs if we focus on what is out of our control. Throughout the program, we will learn about improving our self-esteem and what to do when our self-esteem is challenged by events such as rejection. Lastly, we will practice recognizing the signs of a fixed mindset, implementing a growth mindset, and setting personal goals.

Teens will be grouped according to their age, grade, and goals.

EMPOWERED™ - LEADERSHIP AND SELF - CONFIDENCE

Advancing in Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

EMPOWERED™ is perfect for ages 11 - 13 (grades 5 - 8)

In our EMPOWERED program, the participants all identify as female, looking for a safe space to develop their social-emotional skills and self-confidence. Students learn the basics surrounding different communication styles and are given the opportunity to practice conversational skills. We will explore emotional awareness by helping the participants improve their emotional vocabulary and monitoring their body for the physical symptoms of various emotions. Participants will learn about the importance of perspective-taking and how to recognize their own personal values while respecting others' differing values. We will explore choices, natural and logical consequences, and various ways to solve problems. The participants will begin to learn about control and the uncomfortable feeling that occurs if we focus on what is out of our control. Throughout the program, we will learn about improving our self-esteem and what to do when our self-esteem is challenged by events such as rejection. Lastly, we will practice recognizing the signs of a fixed mindset, implementing a growth mindset, and setting personal goals.

Teens will be grouped according to their age, grade, and goals.

BLAST™ – BUILDING LEADERS AND STRONG TEENS

Advancing in Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

BLAST™ is perfect for ages 14-17 (grades 9-12)

In the BLAST 1.0, participants will learn about various communication styles, and how to interpret social cues we are receiving from others, while understanding how our own social cues may be impacting our relationships. The participants will learn the ins and outs of conversational skills by improving their active listening, practicing navigating and furthering conversations, and understanding how to become more approachable. Parents will develop their emotional awareness, while exploring which unmet needs may be contributing to any uncomfortable feelings. We will dive into coping strategies, and learn to distinguish the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping strategies. We will strengthen the mind-body connection by learning about how our body responds to uncomfortable emotions, and begin to recognize what kind of thinking traps we may be falling into. We will explore self esteem and learn about what barriers may be affecting our confidence. Lastly, we will learn about how to strengthen our friendships through setting healthy boundaries, reacting instead of responding, and how to recognize when we are engaging in the "self-fulfilling prophecy".

Teens are grouped according to age, goals and grade.

BLAST 2.0™ – BUILDING LEADERS AND STRONG TEENS

Advancing in Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

BLAST 2.0 ™ is perfect for ages 14-17 (grades 9-12)

In the BLAST 2.0 group, participants will continue their understanding of communication by learning why someone chooses to communicate in a specific style and ways we can respond to communication styles to promote positive interaction. We will explore self-advocacy and how to implement healthy boundaries in our lives while learning to use our values as a way to guide our decisions. In this group, we will practice identifying our strengths and practice developing our “strengths in progress”. Participants will learn the process of goal setting to encourage motivation and how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. We will also discuss the difference between coping versus avoiding and the impacts social media can have on our life and mental health. Lastly, the participants will learn about how to connect with others and themselves.

Teens are grouped according to age, goals and grade.

LOVE™ – LADIES OF VICTORY AND EMPOWERMENT

Advancing in Social Skills and Emotional Regulation - NOT CURRENTLY RUNNING, ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITLIST

LOVE ™ is perfect for ages 14-17 (grades 9-12)

The LOVE group is for students who identify as female looking for a safe space to work on self-esteem and social-emotional skills. The LOVE group focuses on building positive relationships, developing independence and leadership skills, nurturing healthy self-esteem, and planning for the future. Skills and strategies taught in this program include building self- and emotional awareness, assertive communication, identifying personal values and boundaries, effective goal setting, dealing with peer pressure, developing and maintaining friendships and healthy relationships, emotional regulation/coping skills, confidence, responsible decision-making, stress management, healthy self-talk, developing a growth mindset and self-acceptance. In addition to our established curriculum, we actively involve participants in providing feedback and questions regarding what they would like to learn and practice in the group.

Teens are grouped according to age, goals and grade.

ALIENATE ANXIETY™ - CBT FOR TEENS

ALIENATE ANXIETY™ is perfect for ages 14-17 (grades 9-12)

Our Alienate Anxiety group for teens is not only safe and comforting; it can also be fun, light, provide peer interactions and normalize anxious feelings. Our program includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in addition to a variety of other evidence-based techniques and strategies for anxiety. This program is enjoyed by new, old, and current students; all our facilitators are registered mental health therapists who are not only qualified to work with children with anxiety but passionate about nourishing their mental health and emotional awareness! Our therapeutic groups have so many benefits for our students, social skills, emotional regulation skills, peer connections, improved mental health, self-confidence, and may be covered by your health benefits! We focus on what anxiety is and how it presents in our body and mind, triggers, anxiety-inducing factors, cognitive distortions, facts vs. feelings, thought records, coping and calming hands-on strategies, narratives, perspectives, exposure activities, and more.