Why Group Therapy Can Be Helpful for Children with Anxiety
Many children experience worries from time to time. They may feel nervous about trying something new, making mistakes, speaking in front of others, starting school, or being away from their caregivers. While occasional worries are a normal part of childhood, some children experience anxiety that feels overwhelming and begins to affect their daily lives.
As caregivers, it can be difficult to know how to help. You may notice your child avoiding new situations, asking for reassurance frequently, becoming frustrated when things don’t go as planned, or struggling to manage big emotions. While individual therapy can be a wonderful source of support, group therapy in St. Louis offers unique opportunities for children to learn and grow alongside their peers.
Learning They Are Not Alone
One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is helping children realize that they are not the only ones who experience worries.
Many children with anxiety believe they are the only person who feels nervous, makes mistakes, or struggles with new situations. In a group setting, children have opportunities to hear from peers who have similar experiences. Hearing another child say, “That happens to me too!” can help reduce feelings of isolation and create a sense of belonging.
When children realize they’re not alone in their worries, those worries often begin to feel less overwhelming.
Building Confidence Through Shared Experiences
Group therapy provides children with opportunities to practice new skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Whether children are learning coping strategies, talking about feelings, or participating in games, or working through challenges together, they’re encouraged to take small, manageable risks. These experiences help children build confidence and develop a greater sense of self-efficacy.
Over time, children often discover that they’re more capable of handling challenges, trying new things, and sharing their thoughts and feelings—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
Developing Social-Emotional Skills
Group therapy can also help children strengthen important social-emotional skills and make friends.
Through play, stories, creative activities, and peer interaction, children learn to identify emotions, communicate their feelings, solve problems, and practice empathy. They have opportunities to listen to others, share ideas, and develop positive relationships with peers.
These skills support children not only in managing anxiety, but also in navigating friendships, school, and everyday challenges.
Learning Healthy Ways to Manage Worries
Many anxiety-focused groups teach children practical tools they can use when worries show up.
In our group, children will learn calming strategies, breathing exercises, positive self-talk, emotional awareness skills, and ways to ask for help when they need it. Through repetition and practice, these tools can become more familiar and easier to use outside of the group.
Our goal isn’t to eliminate worries completely. Instead, in play therapy, children with anxiety learn to notice their worries, understand what they’re feeling, and respond in healthy, effective ways.
A Safe Place to Grow
Anxiety can sometimes make children feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of themselves. Group therapy provides a supportive environment where children can practice new skills, build confidence, and connect with others who understand what they’re going through.
While every child’s journey is unique, many children leave group therapy with a stronger understanding of themselves, increased confidence, and new tools for managing life’s challenges. Most importantly, they learn an important message: they don’t have to face their worries alone!
Preparing for a Confident Start to the School Year
As a new school year approaches, many children experience increased worries about new teachers, new routines, friendships, or academic expectations. For children who already struggle with anxiety, these transitions can feel especially challenging. Bud to Bloom Play Therapy offers more than one-on-one therapy, understanding that relationships are key to growth.
Our St. Louis Back-to-School Confidence Club is designed to help children ages 6-7 build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and practice social-emotional skills before the school year begins.
Through play, stories (like these therapeutic children books on anxiety), creative activities, and peer connection, children will learn ways to manage worries, express emotions, navigate challenges, and build confidence in a safe and supportive environment. This group may be especially helpful for children who seem shy, struggle with self-confidence, feel overwhelmed at school, or have difficulty managing worries independently.
If you’re wondering whether your child could benefit from additional support before the school year starts, we’d love to connect and answer any questions.
About the Author
At Bud to Bloom, we specialize in helping children and families navigate anxiety, big emotions, trauma, attachment challenges, and life transitions through developmentally appropriate, relationship-focused care. Using play therapy and evidence-based approaches, we help children build confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to thrive at home, at school, and in their relationships.
Madison Damann, one of our Blooming Therapists and social work practicum students, wrote this blog and will facilitate this free therapy group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is group therapy a good fit for shy children?
Yes, group therapy can be especially helpful for children who are shy or hesitant in social situations. Children are encouraged to participate at their own pace while building confidence through supportive interactions with peers.
Will my child be forced to talk about their worries in therapy?
No, children are never pressured to share more than they feel comfortable sharing in play therapy. Therapists create a safe environment where children can participate through play, activities, and conversation in ways that feel manageable for them.
What skills do children learn in group therapy?
Children may learn coping strategies, emotional regulation skills, relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, problem-solving skills, and healthy ways to express feelings and ask for support.
How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
Individual therapy focuses on one-on-one support while group therapy allows children to practice skills with peers, learn from shared experiences, and build confidence in a social environment. Many children benefit from one or both forms of support. Learn more about the differences between group therapy and individual therapy for kids here.
