Social Anxiety Groups at the Child Mind Institute teach children, adolescents, and young adults coping skills to help them manage their anxiety as they practice facing their social fears in a group setting.
ANXIETY DISORDERS CENTER
Social Anxiety Groups
Teaching children, teens, and young adults how to manage anxiety in a group setting
Overview
Social Anxiety Groups, offered through the Anxiety Disorders Center, are designed for children, adolescents, and young adults who struggle with social anxiety and tend to avoid social situations, which can worsen their symptoms. These evidence-based groups teach coping skills and provide opportunities to practice facing social fears in a supportive environment. Through guided exposures, participants build confidence and learn how to manage anxiety more effectively than with individual treatment alone.
Spring Eight-Week Program
The eight-week Social Anxiety Group program allows participants to practice managing their anxiety at a slower pace and weekly sessions.
Thursdays, April 23, 2026 – June 11, 2026
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm ET
Children, teens, and young adults ages 9 – 24
$1,950 (prior to Financial Aid which is applicable)
Additional Information
All participants are allocated to age-appropriate groups.
The cost includes a pre-recorded Social Anxiety webinar for parents to watch, followed by a live virtual parent Q&A session at the midpoint of the group for parents of participants ages 9–17. It also includes a 1-hour live virtual psychoeducation session at the start of the group for all parents of participants.
Eligibility
Social Anxiety Groups are geared toward children, adolescents and young adults who need help overcoming social anxiety. To ensure an appropriate fit, we will conduct a one-hour assessment billed at the clinician’s hourly rate. The assessment fee is waived if the child has participated in a previous group.
Summer 2026
More information on our summer dates will be available soon!
Children, teens, and young adults ages 9 – 24
Additional Information
All participants are allocated to age-appropriate groups.
The cost includes a pre-recorded Social Anxiety webinar for parents to watch, followed by a live virtual parent Q&A session at the midpoint of the group for parents of participants ages 9–17. It also includes a 1-hour live virtual psychoeducation session at the start of the group for all parents of participants.
Eligibility
Social Anxiety Groups are geared toward children, adolescents and young adults who need help overcoming social anxiety. To ensure an appropriate fit, we will conduct a one-hour assessment billed at the clinician’s hourly rate. The assessment fee is waived if the child has participated in a previous group.
Why This Program?
Groups are designed to help participants develop skills and confidence in a supportive environment through exposures. Benefits include but are not limited to:
Develop Confidence
Teens learn to navigate social situations, from starting conversations to resolving conflicts.
Individualized Attention
We meet individually with each participant to identify specific areas of concern.
Peer Connections
Participants practice social skills in a supportive, group-focused setting.
Our Team
Janine Domingues, PhD
Senior Director of Professional Training, School and Community Programs; Senior Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Center
Tess M. Crane, LCSW
Director, Social Anxiety Program; Social Worker, Anxiety Disorders Center
Qiuyuan Liu, LCSW, DSW
Director, Social Worker, Anxiety Disorders Center
Alnardo Martinez, LMHC
Director, Pediatric OCD Intensive Program; Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Bubrick Center for Pediatric OCD
Stephanie Schwartz, PsyD
Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Center
Emma Zoloth, PsyD
Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Center
Alana Cooperman, LCSW
Senior Social Worker, Anxiety Disorders Center
Melissa Jeffay, PsyD
Psychologist, Anxiety Disorders Center
Kathryn L. Keough, PhD
Director, Selective Mutism Service; Psychologist, Training Coordinator, Anxiety Disorders Center
Katelyn Reese, MS
Psychology Extern, Anxiety Disorders Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Social Anxiety Groups are appropriate for children, teens, and young adults who:
- Feel scared or uncomfortable in social situations
- Are afraid of embarrassing themselves in social situations
- Avoid doing activities that involve socializing
- Have difficulty recognizing social cues
The Social Anxiety Groups program targets areas of exposure such as participating in a virtual setting or in class, asking for help, asserting opinions, working or playing in a group, starting or joining in a conversation, video chatting with family or friends, attending a virtual or in-person party, ordering at a restaurant, giving a presentation or debating an issue, etc.
We meet individually with each participant prior to the start of the group to determine if he or she is the right fit and to identify specific areas of concern. In addition to group-focused activities, we are able to provide individualized interventions tailored to the specific needs of each child.
If a child cannot attend and we are notified at least 7 days prior to the start date of the program we will issue a refund, excluding a $300 non-refundable deposit for administrative fees. At the time of registration full payment is required to reserve a space. If less than 7 days notification is given, no refund will be provided.
Yes. We welcome children and families from across the country and around the world. Our website has more information on how to get here and our recommended hotels close by our office.
Contact Us
For more information, please submit our interest form or call us at 212.308.3118.
Ready to Get Started?
Please submit our interest form and we’ll get in touch with you.
