Help Your Child Make Friends and
Build Confidence This Fall

Now Enrolling for Fall 2026
Watching your child struggle to make friends can be heartbreaking.
Maybe they've started saying no one wants to play with them.
Maybe they have a hard time joining conversations, reading social cues, or knowing what to say in new situations. They may be shy, easily frustrated with peers, or come home from school feeling lonely.
As a parent, it's natural to wonder if they'll eventually grow out of it—or if they simply need a little extra support.
The good news is that social skills can be learned.
Our Social Skills Group for elementary-aged children provides a safe, encouraging environment where children practice real-life friendship skills with guidance from experienced therapists and alongside peers who are learning the same skills.
Whether your child struggles with confidence, communication, or connecting with others, this group is designed to help them feel more comfortable, capable, and confident in everyday social situations.
What Makes This Group Different?
Children learn social skills best by practicing them, not just talking about them.
Each session combines therapist-led instruction, hands-on activities, games, role-playing, and peer interaction to help children naturally develop the skills they need both inside and outside the classroom.
Rather than expecting children to "just know" how to make friends, we teach those skills in a supportive environment where mistakes are welcomed and growth is celebrated.
Our goal isn't to change who your child is.
It's to help them feel more confident being themselves.
Is This Group Right for Your Child?
This group may be a great fit if your child:
- Has difficulty making or keeping friends
- Is shy or hesitant in social situations
- Struggles to join conversations or group activities
- Has trouble reading social cues
- Becomes frustrated during peer interactions
- Wants friends but isn't sure how to connect
- Needs help building confidence around other children
- Would benefit from practicing communication skills with peers
The group is designed specifically for elementary-aged children and provides age-appropriate opportunities to learn, practice, and grow together.
What Children Will Learn
Throughout the group, participants will practice skills such as:
- Starting and joining conversations
- Making and keeping friendships
- Understanding body language and social cues
- Taking turns and sharing
- Active listening
- Managing frustration and disappointment
- Solving everyday peer conflicts
- Building self-confidence
- Working cooperatively with others
- Showing empathy and kindness
Every activity is designed to help children feel successful while developing skills they can use at school, home, extracurricular activities, and in everyday life.
Why Parents Choose GHCS
At Greater Houston Counseling Services, we understand that every child develops socially at their own pace.
Some children are naturally outgoing but struggle with boundaries.
Others are thoughtful observers who simply need encouragement to participate.
Our therapists create a welcoming environment where children feel accepted while learning practical skills that support healthy relationships and emotional growth.
Parents often tell us their biggest hope isn't simply that their child learns better communication skills.
It's that they feel included.
Confident.
Connected.
That's exactly what we're working toward.
Conveniently Located in Memorial, Houston
This group meets in person at our Memorial office, conveniently serving families throughout:
- Memorial
- Memorial Villages
- Spring Branch
- CityCentre
- Energy Corridor
- Westchase
- Briar Forest
- Tanglewood
- Bellaire
- West University
- West Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this group for?
This group is designed for elementary-aged children, generally ages 6–11. We carefully consider developmental readiness to ensure children have the best possible group experience.
Does my child need to be in therapy to participate?
No. Children do not need to be current GHCS clients to participate.
What if my child is shy?
Many children who join the group are shy or nervous at first. Our therapists help children become comfortable at their own pace while encouraging participation in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Will my child make friends?
While we can't promise friendships, we can promise opportunities to practice the skills that help children build healthy, meaningful relationships both inside and outside the group.
Does insurance cover the group?
Please contact our office to discuss insurance benefits, private pay options, and current availability.
Fall Enrollment Is Now Open
Our Fall 2026 Social Skills Group is now enrolling. This group starts August 25th at 5pm-6pm and meets consecutively for 5 weeks.
Space is intentionally limited so each child receives individualized attention and opportunities to actively participate.
If your child is having difficulty making friends, communicating with peers, or building confidence in social situations, we'd love to help.
Registration Requirements:
Full 5-week commitment (consistency essential) Payment at registration: $260 for all sessions OR $55/session
Three Easy Ways to Register:
Call: 832-717-7166 (Ask for the Social Skills Group)
Online: Click here to register for the Social Skills Lab
Email: Info@GreaterHoustonCounselingServices.com (Subject: "Social Skills Group Registration - [Child's Name]")








