What is a Social Skills Group vs a Process Group?
If you're researching group therapy for your child, you've probably come across two different approaches: social skills groups and process groups. They both involve kids meeting with peers and a therapist, but they work very differently.
Social skills groups teach you what to do through structured lessons. Process groups help you figure out how to actually do it in real relationships. It's the difference between learning the rules of a game and actually playing the game with coaching in real time.
As a Certified Group Psychotherapist who's been running interpersonal process groups for over 20 years, I want to help you understand both approaches so you can figure out which one might be right for your child.
What is a social skills group and who is it for?
A social skills group teaches specific social skills through structured lessons, activities, and practice. These groups follow a curriculum—often programs like PEERS—where kids learn concrete techniques like how to start conversations, join groups, and read social cues. They're best for kids who genuinely don't know what to do in social situations.
Social skills groups are structured like a class. Each week covers a specific topic with a lesson plan. Kids watch videos, do role-plays, complete worksheets, or practice scenarios.
Programs like PEERS (for children and teens) break down social interactions into teachable steps. For example, "how to join a conversation": observe the group, find something in common to comment on, wait for a pause, add to the topic. Kids practice these steps in group and try them out as homework.
These groups are usually closed groups—everyone starts and graduates together, typically 10-16 weeks. They're time-limited with a clear beginning and end. Parents are involved, receiving updates and coaching.
Social skills groups work well for kids who don't understand how to read facial expressions, don't know how to start a conversation, or miss basic social cues. If your child is missing foundational knowledge, a structured skills group can give them tools they're missing.
They're particularly helpful for kids with autism, ADHD, or significant social skill deficits who need concrete, step-by-step instruction.
What is a process group and who is it for?
An interpersonal process group focuses on what's happening between people in the moment. Instead of teaching skills from a curriculum, the group becomes the place where kids practice relating to others in real time. When conflicts arise, patterns emerge, or feelings come up, the group works through them together. Process groups are best for kids who have some basic social skills but struggle to use them.
This is the type of group therapy we specialize in at The Wellness Collective.
In a process group, there's no predetermined lesson plan. We pay attention to what's unfolding in the room each week. If someone interrupts, we notice and explore it. If a teen always fixes other people's problems instead of sharing their own, we talk about that pattern. If conflict happens, we work through it together.
The group becomes a microcosm of real life. Patterns that show up at school or home show up in group. The anxious kid who stays quiet in class stays quiet in group—until the group helps them find their voice. The teen who gets defensive learns to handle feedback differently.
It's not theoretical. Kids aren't learning about social skills—they're practicing them in relationships that matter. They're figuring out in real time how to navigate conflict, express vulnerability, and be themselves with others.
These groups are open-ended—members can stay as long as they're benefiting. The work is ongoing because relational growth doesn't happen in 12 weeks.
Process groups work best for kids who feel disconnected even when around people, who get stuck in the same relationship patterns, who know what to do socially but struggle when anxious, or who need a safe place to practice being authentic.
What's the main difference between learning skills and practicing in relationships?
Social skills groups teach you what to do. Process groups help you figure out how to actually do it. Skills groups are like learning the rules of the game. Process groups are like playing the game and getting coached in real time.
Think about learning to ride a bike. A skills-based group would teach you about bikes—how they work, the techniques, what to do. You'd learn the steps. A process group would put you on an actual bike, let you wobble and figure it out, and help you notice what's happening so you can adjust.
Knowing what to do and actually doing it are different things. You can memorize the steps for joining a conversation, but if you're anxious or the situation doesn't go as planned, those techniques might not translate.
In social skills groups, the focus is teaching techniques—how to start conversations, join groups, handle disagreement. In process groups, the focus is relationships—what happens between you and others, what patterns show up, how you come across.
Social skills groups are didactic—you're taught information. Process groups are experiential—you learn by doing and reflecting.
Social skills groups have a set curriculum. Week 1 is X, Week 2 is Y. Process groups respond to what's actually happening that day. The content emerges from interactions.
How do I know which type of group my child needs?
Ask yourself: Does my child lack knowledge or skills, or do they struggle to use skills they have? If they're missing basics, consider skills-based groups. If they know what to do but can't do it, process groups work better.
If your child doesn't know how to start a conversation, doesn't understand social cues, or lacks basic techniques, a skills-based group gives them tools they're missing.
But if your child knows what they're supposed to do and still struggles—if they understand social cues but are too anxious to use them, if they can make friends but can't keep them, if they always end up in the same conflicts—they don't need more skills training. They need to practice in real relationships with support.
Skills groups answer "What should I do?" Process groups answer "Why do I keep doing this, and how do I change it?"
Sometimes kids benefit from both—starting with skills-based work, then moving to process work. At The Wellness Collective, if we think a skills program would be better first, we'll tell you. We'd rather you get what you actually need.
Skills-based groups are great for short-term, concrete goals. Process groups are better for deeper, long-term relational growth. If your child struggles with autism or significant social skill deficits, starting with a skills group often makes sense. If your child struggles with anxiety, depression, isolation, or relational patterns, process groups tend to be more transformative.
Finding the Right Group Therapy in Hermosa Beach, CA
At The Wellness Collective in Hermosa Beach, we specialize in interpersonal process groups for elementary girls (3rd-5th grade), middle schoolers, high schoolers, and young adults. All of our groups are facilitated by or supervised by a Certified Group Psychotherapist.
If we think a skills-based program would be more helpful, we'll tell you honestly and help you find those resources. We care more about right fit than filling our groups.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Contact us to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Phone: 310-817-0599
Email: info@thewellnesscollectiveca.com
Website: www.thewellnesscollectiveca.com
We serve families throughout the South Bay, and we're here to help you navigate the landscape of group therapy so you can make an informed decision.
For more information about group therapy, read:
About the Author
Leah Niehaus is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in group therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. As the owner and Clinical Director of The Wellness Collective in Hermosa Beach, California, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate life's challenges through the transformative power of group therapy.
Leah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Pepperdine University and her Master's in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. Her clinical background includes community mental health, public child welfare, and psychiatric social work at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital. She has been in private practice for 21 years and has operated a group practice for 9 years.
As a Certified Group Psychotherapist—an advanced credential representing specialized expertise in group therapy—Leah is recognized as an expert in group dynamics and interpersonal process therapy. She was recently honored by the City of Hermosa Beach as "Best of Clinical Social Work 2023."
Leah is a CAMFT Certified Clinical Supervisor, training the next generation of therapists. She serves as an Ambassador for South Bay Families Connected and sits on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Medical Advisory Board. She is an active member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA),co-leads the Advanced Child & Adolescent Group Therapy Consult Group, and serves on the Public Outreach committee.
Leah is a frequent guest speaker and writer on parenting, adolescence, and group therapies. Her newsletter, "Lighter Touch with Leah," provides practical guidance for parents. As both a clinician and mother of three, she brings professional expertise and personal understanding to her work.
To learn more about Leah's approach or to schedule a free consultation, visit www.thewellnesscollectiveca.com or call 310-817-0599.
