What is Group Counseling?

Group counseling for teenagers allows adolescents to engage with peers in a therapeutic setting. Group counseling helps teenagers to share thoughts and feelings with people that are just like them. Many teenagers find that they share similarities and common experiences with other teens in the group. These experiences create interactions among group members that give teenagers the ability to learn about themselves from others. In addition, shared and common experiences help teenagers to feel connected. They have an opportunity to realize that they are not alone. Furthermore, group counseling helps teenagers feel comfortable discussing uncomfortable circumstances. They get to try new and more effective ways of interacting among their peers and coping with life’s tough issues. The content of the group sessions is confidential.

Group Counseling at The Truism Center

The Truism Center offers elite group counseling led by our resident Behavioral Psychologist, Dr. Ryan Kron. Dr. Ryan Kron has developed the theory of Multisystemic Reciprocal Determinism (MRD) to best address Teen & Adolescent matters. The Truism Center boasts in being the only agency in Michigan to offer MRD based services.

Building Rapport

Group counseling will benefit teenagers regardless of their initial desires to participate. A great deal of resistance may exist when working with teens. They may not want to voluntarily be involved in counseling and may even refuse to talk. Group counseling helps reduce this initial resistance to counseling. Teenagers may be hesitant to trust the therapist. Our therapists employ a variety of skills and strategies to help connect with teenagers while making them feel secure and trusted. These skills extend far beyond simple talk therapy and utilize a variety of methods of communication including verbal, nonverbal, art, music, writing, and social media. The therapist ensures the group members feel safe, heard, comfortable, and engaged. It is common (and encouraged) for parents, school counselors, clergy/spiritual leaders, friends, coaches, etc. to recommend a particular individual to the support group.

All services are offered in-person (and may be virtually based on your preference). Your child is always the most important person in the room. No matter the issue or concern, we will empower them for positive change.

Symptoms of Teen & Adolescent Mental Health Issues

• Complaints of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical ailments, especially more frequently
• Isolating or withdrawing from family, friends, and activities
• Visible signs of distress, nervousness, crying, easily hurt feelings, and anger
• Visible changes in appearance including clothing/dress/attire, hair, piercings, etc.
• Visible or reported injuries (cuts, scratches, burns, piercings, bruises, abrasions,
• Increased lying or concealing of behaviors
• Substance use (legal/illegal drugs, prescriptions, alcohol, etc.)
• Avoidance of or breaking commitments or responsibilities suddenly and unexplainably
• Uncharacteristically poor performance and/or follow-through in school
• Damage to physical property
• Physical or verbal aggression to others
• Sudden changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Significant changes in friend/peer groups and/or social interests

General Teen & Adolescent Support Group

Purpose: Teen and adolescent guided support group to build self-confidence, discuss shared commonalities, and to become empowered for positive change through completion of the group’s goal and objectives.

Summary: This is an open Teen & Adolescent support group for individuals struggling with issues that are negatively impacting their social and educational wellbeing. Examples of issues may include social anxiety, depression, stress, social media bullying, poor coping skills, lack of friends, LGBTQ+ related concerns, etc.

Goal: To live day-to-day life happily while managing my life in a positive and healthy manner.

Objective: To understand what mental health and wellbeing means.

Objective: To complete a functional analysis of areas of concern.

Objective: To replace triggers with positive thoughts and behaviors.

Objective: To improve emotional awareness, thoughts, and feelings.

Objective: To improve self-confidence.

Objective: To develop healthy and positive coping mechanisms.

Objective: To develop a healthy and positive self-management plan.

Objective: To develop a healthy and positive lifestyle management plan.

Objective: To employ healthy habits each day.

Teen & Adolescent Substance Use/Abuse 8-Week Support Group

Purpose: Teen and adolescent guided support group to build knowledge of substance use and its consequences, increase empathy, discuss shared commonalities, and to encourage completion of the group’s one goal and ten objectives.

Summary: This is an 8-week closed teen support group tackling substance abuse and substance abuse related issues. Each week consists of a specific topic and has associated objectives to be accomplished. Group discussion is used to build knowledge of substance use and its consequences, increase empathy, discuss shared commonalities, and to encourage completion of the group’s goal and objectives. The group is available to and will benefit all teenagers regardless of substance use history.

Topics covered:

1. The Good Life
2. Functional Analysis of Substance Use
3. Thoughts & Feelings
4. Why I should make the change
5. Coping Mechanisms
6. Relapse prevention (part 1)
7. Relapse preventions (part 2)
8. Healthy Habits
9. OPTIONAL: 1 Individual &/or family session with Dr. Ryan Kron

Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework for this group is multisystemic reciprocal determinism (MRD). This is not a 12-step program (this is not AA/NA). This framework is multidimensional and is designed to provide people with tools to be successful throughout their day-to-day life as a teenager and through adulthood. It utilizes cognitive-behavioral strategies, social cognitive techniques, as well as knowledge from social comparison and sociocultural theories.

Goal: To live free of addiction or dependence on substances while managing my life in a positive and healthy manner.

Objective: To learn about drugs of addiction and complete an inventory of my substance use.

Objective: To complete a functional analysis of my substance use.

Objective: To identify triggers to my substance use.

Objective: To replace my triggers with positive thoughts and behaviors.

Objective: To improve my emotional awareness, thoughts, and feelings about substances.

Objective: To improve my self-will and acceptance of my substance abuse issues.

Objective: To develop healthy and positive coping mechanisms.

Objective: To develop a healthy and positive self-management plan.

Objective: To develop a healthy and positive lifestyle management plan.

Objective: To employ healthy habits each day.

Fees, Schedule, Location

• Ryan Kron leads all groups
• Groups are offered in-person/in-office or virtually consisting of 3-8 members
• Ages 12-17 (18), middle school and high school
• Groups meet once (1x) per week for 60-90 minutes
  • Monday 7-8:30PM Teen Support (call for availability)
  • Tuesday 7-8PM Teen Substance Abuse (call for availability)
  • Thursday 6-7:30PM Teen Support (call for availability)
• Location is at 1257 Leonard NE, Grand Rapids 49505
• CASH PAY ONLY! $50 (per session; discounts for advance payments). Health Savings Accounts (HSA) & credit cards accepted.