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 Group
Teaching children, teens, and young adults how to manage anxiety in a group setting.
Overview
It’s common for children and teens to worry about what others think. For some, these worries become intense and interfere with everyday activities — signs of social anxiety disorder.
Our Social Anxiety Groups support children, adolescents, and young adults whose anxiety leads them to avoid social situations, a pattern that can worsen symptoms over time. These evidence-based groups teach coping skills and provide opportunities to practice facing social fears in a structured, supportive environment. Through guided exposures, participants build confidence and learn how to manage anxiety more effectively than with individual treatment alone.
May Three-Day Young Adult Intensive
Monday to Wednesday, May 18 – 20, 2026
10:00 am to 2:00 pm ET
Young adults ages 18 – 24
$1,800
Prior to Financial Aid which is applicable
Additional Information
The cost includes a 1-hour live virtual psychoeducation session at the start of the group for all parents of participants.
Eligibility
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 at the Child Mind Institute.
Summer One-Week Intensive
Monday to Friday, August 10 – August 14, 2026
10:00am – 2:00 pm ET
Ages 9 – 24
$3,150
Prior to financial aid, when 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 one-hour live virtual psychoeducation session at the start of the group for all parents of participants.
Eligibility
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 at the Child Mind Institute.
Why Social Anxiety Group?
This Social Anxiety Group is 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
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
Tess M. Crane, LCSW
Director, Social Anxiety Program; 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 Group program is 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 Group 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.
Ready to Get Started?
For more information, please submit our interest form or call us at 212.308.3118.
More Anxiety Treatments & Services
Our Anxiety Disorders Center also offers the following specialized group treatment programs and services.
Brave Buddies® Program
Group treatment for children who are diagnosed with selective mutism (SM). This innovative program is designed to help children overcome their anxiety and speak in any setting. Ages 3-12.
Emotion Detectives Group
Build your child’s emotional awareness and ability to cope with uncomfortable emotions. Ages 8 - 12.
Parents of Anxious Children and Teens (PACT)
Interactive webinar series providing families and caretakers with evidence-based, practical strategies for supporting children and teens ages 3-13 struggling with anxiety.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Request an appointment at the Child Mind Institute to get your child evaluated by one of our expert clinicians today.
