Patient Support Groups

The therapy team here at Potomac Pediatrics is striving to offer the greatest patient reach possible by providing group therapy services. Group therapy may compliment individual therapy sessions or be exclusively utilized in lieu of individual therapy (patient & group depending). Each group is hand crafted to maximize positive outcomes for all participants. Some group sessions may include special guest speakers from our pediatricians, dietician, or psychiatrist. We’re excited to continue growing these services and making them available to all active patients here in our practice.

A Social Skills Art Therapy Group

Led by Bri Garrold, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC

Art Hive provides a therapeutic space for children and adolescents to engage with peers in both self-directed art making and interaction, as well as group projects and engagement. Group therapy is an effective method to addressing:

Social anxiety

Increase healthy and effective communication

Increase healthy and effective peer interaction

Address interpersonal effectiveness skills

Tolerate and manage anxiety

Eligibility

• Ages 9-13 years
• Current patient at Potomac Pediatrics
• The full program is 10 weeks. Participants must be able to commit to a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks.
• Click here to submit intake questionnaire

Click here to see the Art Hive flyer. 

A Body Image Art Therapy Group

Led by Bri Garrold, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC

Many pre-teens and teens are struggling with their body image and unrealistic expectations. The presence of and high level of engagement with social media has heightened children’s body awareness while elevating levels of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. These struggles are universal regardless of current weight and gender.

This series will provide a group therapy experience rooted in both psychoeducation and expressive therapy to explore underlying causes of negative body image, impacts on daily life, and ways to begin to cultivate healthy body image through both discussion and visual arts experientials.

Eligibility

Ages 13-17 years. Whether your child has an eating disorder, is a member of the LGBTQ+ population, or could in any way benefit from psychoeducation and art prompts focused on exploring current perceptions of body image, as well as beginning to develop healthier body image, this is the class for them!

• Targeted Start Date: February 7, 2022
• Length: 8 weeks
• Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
• Click here to submit intake questionnaire

Click here to see the Mind Over Mirror Flyer.

Nourished & Well

Led by Lauren Losak, LCSW-C & Heather Marko, MS, RD, LD

We are here to ensure that your daughter is nourished and well! This series is designed to promote confidence through sound nutritional practices and therapeutic techniques. Participants can expect to engage in group discussions, games/activities, mindfulness exercises, cooking demos, and joyful movement. Creating positive and healthy behaviors is a struggle for many adolescents, in this group we will focus on specific personal and social components that shape how girls often receive and process information and then ultimately implement behaviors (both positive and negative).

Eligibility: Females age 12-14 years

Targeted Start Date: March 17, 2022   Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm

Length: 8 weeks (no session on 4/14/2022)

Topics to be explored:

• Positive health behaviors
• The effects of diet culture/social media
• Mindfulness
• Body image/self-image
• Coping skills
• Intuitive eating

Click here to submit intake questionnaire

Click here to view Nourished & Well Flyer