What Are Group Therapy Activities For Adolescents?

Anyone at any age can struggle with mental illness. Nearly half of adolescents report having struggled with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. This staggering statistic showcases just how prevalent mental illness is, especially among teens.  If you are struggling with a mental health disorder, there are several effective treatment options available that can provide you with the support and care you need to better manage your mental health and live a healthier, more balanced life. At AWA, we are an intensive outpatient program that provides comprehensive mental health treatment to teens. We provide highly personalized treatment plans to help each teen receive the exact care they need to improve their mental health and regain control over their lives. Struggling with a mental health disorder? Call us today to learn more about our after-school recovery program in Florida.

What Is The Purpose Behind Group Therapy Activities For Teens?

Before diving into various common group therapy ideas for teens, it’s important to understand what group therapy is and why group therapy activities for adolescents can be beneficial in the first place. Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where, as the name suggests, a group of patients comes together, typically under the guidance of a therapist, to discuss their problems and progress and share their struggles and triumphs in their recovery journey. Group therapy can be an excellent way for patients to not only connect with one another but feel less alone in their fight toward living a happier, healthier life. Therefore, different adolescent group therapy ideas help patients build relationships with others who can relate to what they’re going through. Not to mention, group therapy can help patients open up more and practice being more open and honest with themselves and others.

Common Group Therapy Activities For Adolescents

Group therapy activities for adolescents can be extremely beneficial for patients to build a sense of connection as well as feel like they are not alone. Below are some common examples of group therapy activities for adolescents. Trust Fall A trust fall is when one member falls backward and puts their trust in the person behind them, catching them in their arms. A trust fall shows that you do have support from others when in need, and having people you can count on will catch you when you “fall down” in life. Human Knot The human knot is when all the members of the group form a circle and hold hands with someone else who is not directly next to them. Then, the goal of the activity is to untie the human knot without letting go of holding each other’s hands. Two Truths and A Lie Another activity is where a member thinks of two facts about themselves and then comes up with one lie (without telling the group it’s a lie). Then, the member tells their two truths and one lie to the group, and the goal of the game is for the other group members to determine which statement is the lie. Group Writing Exercises This involves the therapist of the group giving the group a writing prompt or question to write about during the week. Writing is a great way to process emotions and dig deeper into how you’re truly feeling without necessarily having to say how you’re feeling out loud. Fear In A Hat Members write down their deepest fear on a piece of paper and then place it into a hat. Then, members go around and draw each a fear from the hat and then try to guess who’s fear from the hat they drew. This activity is excellent for opening up with the group and building a sense of trust and vulnerability with others.

Start Your Mental Health Journey

There are all kinds of effective group therapy activities for adolescents that help each member of the group open up, build connections with others, and form a sense of belonging and understanding that they are not alone in their fight against their mental illness. If you are a teen struggling with a mental health disorder, help is available. At Adolescent Wellness Academy, we provide comprehensive mental health treatment to help teens grow their self-esteem and coping skills to be able to better manage their mental health.

Teen Mental Health Treatment in South Florida – AWA

At Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen mental health treatment center located in South Florida, we understand the complexities and challenges of guiding our loved ones, especially adolescents, towards recovery from mental health challenges. Recognizing the delicate nature of this journey, we are committed to offering compassionate, specialized care even in situations where individuals may be hesitant to seek help. We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters healing and growth through our tailored programs:
  • Day Therapeutic Program: A structured daytime treatment offering therapeutic support and education that integrates seamlessly with the adolescent’s daily life.
  • After-School Program: An innovative approach that provides therapeutic activities and supports post-school hours, allowing teens to continue their education while receiving the care they need.
When you join our therapy or afterschool programs, you enter a caring and non-judgmental community. This support network involves teens, their families, peers, and our team. Our team of clinicians, alumni, and other parents are here to offer invaluable assistance. Parent Support Groups (PSG) and assessments ensure that the support is tailored to each family’s needs. Contact us today for more information about teen mental health at 1-866-548-8677 or visit our locations in Miami-Dade and Broward.

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Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.