FREQUENTLY ASKED SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

The following information has been provided to assist you in locating answers to your questions in a timely manner.
After years of being in practice, my staff and I have taken this opportunity to answer most of the questions we are regularly asked to try to save you time.
These questions are broken into three categories, seminars, groups, and generally about the practice. Click on any of thesecategories to link to more information.
 

Who Is Appropriate For Your Groups?
 

Are There Individuals Who Are Not Appropriate For These Groups
 

Can I Pick The Group For My Son/Daughter?

What Day Or Time Does It Meet
 

What About The Group Goal?
 

Once My Child Is In Group, Do We Meet With Dr. Berk?
 

How Do I Set Up An Intake?
 

What Happens At The Intake?

What Do You Do In Group?
 

What Are The Ages Of The Participants
In The Groups?

What Topics Do The Groups Cover?
 

How Long Is Group?
 

Who Facilitates The Groups?

How Long Does A Child/Adolescent Remain In A Group?
 

Do You Accept Insurance?/ What Is The Cost?
 

What Is The Primary Purpose Of Group?

Do Group Members Ever Change Groups?
 

What If My Son/Daughter is Reluctant To Attend
or Does Not Want To Attend Group, But I, As A Parent/Guardian Feel It Could Be Helpful?
 

Are These Groups Successful?
 

Can My Son/ Daughter Stay With Their Individual Therapist And Be In Group?
 

What If I Want To Talk To Dr. Berk Before My Child/Adolescent Attends An Intake Appointment?
 

What If My Son/Daughter Misses A Group?

Who Is Appropriate For Your Groups? Although most group members enter group to build social skills, issues of group members include a wide variety of challenges. Examples include anxiety, anger management issues, Attention Deficit Disorder, depression, impulse control, coping with divorce of parents, learning/academic issues, Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, and some individuals who just need more support. The group is not based on a diagnosis or “pathology”, rather the group is individually goal focused with the support of the peers to make long-lasting changes. As such, there is a wide diversity of issues discussed. Many group members attend group because they are no longer benefiting from individual therapy or they have been sent by a physician, therapist, or school professional as a groups setting has a specific advantage for them.

Are There Individuals Who Are Not Appropriate For These Groups? Yes, there are such individuals. These groups focus on social issues such as getting along with peers, parents, teachers, etc. Co-occurring issues are discussed such as school success, and “typical” issues for age groups (example drug and alcohol issues with teenager population). Naturally occurring issues such as loss, grief, anxiety are also a part of the group from time to time.

Individuals are screened at the intake for appropriateness for the group setting. Some examples of children/adolescents where group is likely not appropriate include those with severe drug and alcohol issues, intelligence insufficient to participate in group, and an inability to comply with group rules. Such children/adolescents are directed to other treatment modalities. Some of these individuals “return” to group later when they are ready. Some do not.

Can I Pick The Group For My Son/Daughter? What Day Or Time Does It Meet? As each group has its own characteristics, group members are placed by their needs with an age group that is appropriate for them after the intake appointment. Group members are not generally placed by time or day, but by which group is going to be the most effective for them. Nevertheless, attention is given to other commitments where possible giving the busy schedule many families have and the other activities the child/adolescent participates in. Group times include after school, evenings, and Saturdays. Once a child/adolescent is in a group, they usually stay in that group. However from time to time they change groups due to schedule issues and/or a need to change for clinical reasons.

What About The Group Goal? All group members must have a goal and feedback sheet at every session. Most group members keep their goal for several sessions. Larger goals are broken down into smaller mini-steps. A tentative goal is usually discussed in the intake. Parents and children/adolescents update their goals as needed.

For new group members, they usually set a tentative goal and come to the first session to understand and observe the group process. Some group members have more then one goal. Some have a goal set by themselves and one by their parents.

Once My Child Is In Group, Do We Meet With Dr. Berk? “Check In” sessions are scheduled with the family at a minimum of once every six months. More frequent sessions are scheduled if needed. Parents or group members may also request individual or family appointments. Some group members work with other therapists while they remain in group. If there is an issue in group where parents need to be included or an individual session may be more productive, a session would be suggested by Dr. Berk.

How Do I Set Up An Intake And What Happens At The Intake? Call the office at 216-292-7170 and speak to Dr. Berk’s secretary. Be sure to call your insurance company first, if authorization is needed before the initial session. At that intake session, the child/adolescent and at least one parent/guardian must attend. Forms will be mailed to you in advance to complete. If a parent who is not financially responsible is attending with the child/adolescent, the parent who is financially responsible MUST sign the forms sent to you. All forms must be witnessed before you come to the office.

What Do You Do In Group? Groups are goal-focused and have individual members working on specific treatment goals that have been designed not only for them, but by them. Groups meet generally bi-monthly and concentrate on using the therapeutic group process to assist in specific behavioral changes. Thus, they are not simply skills groups, but more process oriented. Group members are encouraged to share ideas and utilize others within the group to facilitate active change in their lives. The group structure includes activities to facilitate this process.

What Are The Ages Of The Participants In The Groups? There is generally about 3 years difference, but there are also exceptions to this rule based on individual needs, maturity, goals, etc. Individuals may enter group as early as age seven. As well, there have been several young adults who have asked to stay in group after graduating high school as they are attending college locally, working, or attending a vocational program. As such there is now a group available for these individuals to work on social issues. For group members who wish to begin group after age 18, they must be seen as appropriate for this specific group.

What Topics Do The Groups Cover? Topics are created based on the needs and requests of participants. There is no book or manual used. Rather topics are created by Dr. Berk and focus on the needs of the individuals in the group, the time of the year, and suggestions of parents and group members themselves.

How Long Is Group? Each group is one hour.

Who Facilitates The Groups? Dr. Berk facilitates all of the groups.

How Long Does A Child/Adolescent Remain In A Group? Since group members progress at their own rate, some individuals are in group for a few months and others for years. Group members work on their goals in a step by step progression modifying their goals as needed. When they have accomplished their goals, the family usually meets with Dr. Berk, selects an end date, and there is a “celebration” of success in group and they end treatment. This process then opens a space for a new group member.

Groups meet every two weeks throughout the calendar year. Group members may remain in group as long as they need to. Group is ongoing, so members can enter and exit group when their needs dictate, not by a set schedule. When someone leaves, an opening is created for another participant. As such, group openings may not always be immediately available after the intake.

Do You Accept Insurance?/ What Is The Cost? Dr. Berk is on most insurance panels for coverage. Be sure to spell his name correctly as BERK since many clients have been told he is not on their panel because their insurance representative is using an incorrect spelling of his name. For the families who do not have insurance coverage, Dr. Berk will work with them financially on an individual basis. For some families where the child/adolescent is also in individual therapy with Dr. Berk or another therapist, some elect to self pay.

What Is The Primary Purpose Of Group? The primary focus of group is social success and getting along with other individuals better in terms of family, school, friendships, and other relationships. Each group member along with their parent/guardian determines their personal group goal with the support of the other group members and Dr. Berk.

Do Group Members Ever Change Groups? Yes, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes a child/adolescent has outgrown a group and will be asked or will ask to “move up” to a group at a higher level or with older peers. Sometime an activity such as a sport occurs and there is a conflict of schedule. If there is an appropriate group available with space available, a change is made. Finally, if the right “match” with peers has not occurred, a change will sometimes occur.

What If My Son/Daughter is Reluctant To Attend or Does Not Want To Attend Group, But I, As A Parent/Guardian Feel It Could Be Helpful? Most children/Adolescents that attend the groups want to be there. Some participants attend due to their parents “making them”. For the most part, Dr. Berk has found that most individuals who are reluctant to attend group, come to like it. For some it is getting over the anxiety of attending, or for some individuals it is the anger, frustration or other feelings. Some children/adolescents feel that others are the problem or may be too depressed or anxious to try. Current group members are usually skilled at working with these individuals and help them through a process to use group in a productive manner along with the guidance of Dr. Berk.

Some parents/guardians who feel their child/adolescent needs group, but does not want to attend also try some of the following strategies:

1) They have the child/adolescent meet with Dr. Berk to gain a comfort level to be able to attend group.
2) They, as the parent, remain in the lobby during the group.
3) They offer the child/adolescent an incentive for attending the group.
4) They offer a consequence for not attending group.

Dr. Berk can help make suggestions to you and your child/adolescent’s specific needs in the intake appointment.

From time to time a parent/guardian will attend the intake without the child/adolescent. Although this situation is not ideal, it is a start for some families. A second session with the child/adolescent still needs to occur before the child/adolescent can attend a group.

Most of the time, the intake process helps to determine if a child/adolescent is appropriate for group and if they will likely benefit from the process.

Are These Groups Successful? Most referrals come from professionals who have had clients/patients/students in group previously. The second biggest referral source is parents talking to other parents who have had a child/adolescent in group and it has been successful. Another significant population of group members are referrals from other therapists where individual therapy has not been effective, or has been effective and the client now would benefit from a group.

The significance of the aforementioned data speaks for itself. As well, most children/adolescents themselves report group to be very effective! Part of this process is the intake session to be sure the individual and their issues are appropriate for group.

Can My Son/ Daughter Stay With Their Individual Therapist And Be In Group? This situation can be a very effective intervention and Dr. Berk will make all efforts to coordinate care with that professional. Note that some children/adolescents in groups see other therapists, some see Dr. Berk, and some are only in group therapy.

What If I Want To Talk To Dr. Berk Before My Child/Adolescent Attends An Intake Appointment? Dr. Berk can meet with you first and your child/adolescent can attend a second intake meeting. However, having the child/adolescent at the session usually works best. The session can be split up to have time without the child/adolescent in the room if needed. Dr. Berk generally will not speak with you on the phone first regarding clinical issues. There are many reasons for this procedure, but mostly it is to be sure there is sufficient time to review all relevant information in the intake interview and that the information given to you by Dr. Berk is the most complete. However, by calling the office and speaking to his secretary, most additional non-clinical questions can be answered.

What If My Son/Daughter Misses A Group? This is a natural occurrence. Families are on vacation, members are sick, etc. We ask that you call 24 hours in advance to cancel group as many sessions are created with group members in mind. If they do not attend, it may create some issues in the planning. Groups not cancelled 24 hours in advance are subject to being billed.

If members miss group frequently, they may be asked to consider other treatment modalities or to change to a group where attendance will not be an issue. Members who attend regularly benefit the most. Intermittent attendance usually means less likelihood of a successful outcome and can be disruptive to the other group members. As such, some group members change groups due to schedule conflicts if needed if group space is available.