After completing the initial intake appointment all potential members must first participate in one or more individual sessions with the therapist facilitating the group. This is done for several reasons. First, it is essential for the therapist and group member to have a positive treatment relationship. It is extremely difficult to develop this in a group format, and is much better handled in individual sessions. Second, individual sessions can minimize pre-group “jitters.” All Peer Process Social Skills Groups are “open and ongoing,” meaning that when one child gains the skills he/she needs and then terminates from the group, another child is welcomed into the open spot of the ongoing group. When the new participant joins, however, all the other children already know each other. Because the new member has participated in individual session(s) with the therapist and a positive treatment relationship has developed, any anticipatory anxiety will likely be reduced. Third, individual sessions are used to assess the potential member’s ability to listen and settle. Children who have difficulty with listening and settling may need additional individual sessions to improve these skills. Without learning these two skills, new participants will likely distract fellow members and take away from the entire group process.
When a new member attends group for the first time, the only expectation placed on him/her is to listen and observe the group process. All other members will make direct eye contact with the new participant and share their name, where they go to school, and what they do for fun. Most often, the new participant is able to introduce him/herself as well, but this is not necessary the first session. Usually, because introductions include sharing what the members do for fun, the new participant is able to bond with other members who share common interests right from the start.