Social Skills Group

At Moroz Child Psychology Group, our Social Skills Groups are a cornerstone of our practice and one of the offerings we are most proud of. Developed by Kelly Scott Moroz and refined over more than 16 years, this program has helped hundreds of children, teens, and young adults develop the social understanding and communication skills needed to build lasting friendships and navigate the complexities of social life with confidence.

What Makes Our Social Skills Groups Unique?

Unlike many social skills programs, ours is not a one-size-fits-all curriculum. We understand that every child’s social journey is unique, and our groups reflect that individualized approach:

  • Careful Group Matching: Before joining a group, each child meets with Kelly for a 30-minute consultation. This ensures they are matched with peers of a similar age, developmental level, and social focus, allowing for optimal group cohesion and progress.
  • Real-World Social Skills: We teach the skills that truly matter to children and teens, such as:
    • Joining in with peers
    • Reading social cues and body language
    • Handling teasing and peer rejection
    • Taking another person’s perspective
    • Balancing assertiveness with cooperation
    • Navigating conflict and repairing relationships
    • Deepening relationships and understanding friendship levels (e.g., developing a “friendship solar system” that emphasizes moving from acquaintances to trusted friends who “have your back”).
  • Video Feedback for Self-Awareness: A hallmark of our program is the use of video modeling and video feedback. Children participate in role-plays and naturalistic social situations, which are recorded and later reviewed together in a supportive, constructive manner. This process enhances self-awareness and helps children see the impact of their social behavior from a new perspective.
  • Dynamic, Multi-Setting Learning Spaces: Our dedicated social skills space is equipped with large games, tables, and flexible setups that can mimic various real-life social environments, including:
    • Classrooms
    • Lunchrooms
    • Stores
    • Restaurants
    • A home recreation room to practice hosting friends and being a guest in others’ homes
  • Outdoor Social Recess Practice: Our unique location in Discovery Ridge gives us access to a large outdoor recreational area adjacent to our office. This allows us to simulate recess and real-world outdoor play scenarios, helping children practice:
    • Joining games in progress
    • Navigating peer dynamics in soccer, basketball, tennis, hockey, dodgeball, bocce ball, badminton, and more
    • Handling teasing, competition, winning, losing, and perceived rule-breaking
    • Building snow forts and navigating winter play dynamics
  • White & Red Chip Social Feedback System: Developed by Kelly Scott Moroz, this innovative visual tool helps children understand how their actions influence others’ perceptions. The white chips represent positive impressions, and red chips represent negative ones. Children learn that how they treat others influences how they are treated in return, emphasizing the importance of showing appreciation, noticing others’ needs, and being generous in social exchanges.
  • Hosting Skills: We help children learn how to host their own hangouts by providing game ideas, activity suggestions, and tips on serving food—ensuring they feel confident when inviting friends into their home.
  • Handouts & Take-Home Materials: After each session, children receive practical handouts and tools to reinforce their learning, encouraging ongoing practice at home.
  • Returning Families: Because our program evolves each year based on the latest research, our clinical observations, and parent feedback, many families return year after year to build on progress and tackle more advanced social challenges as their child grows.
  • Fun, Reward-Based Learning: We believe that children learn best when they are having fun. Our groups incorporate engaging activities, games, and reward systems, ensuring that social learning is both effective and enjoyable.
  • Year-Round Consistency: Groups run from September to June, with each group meeting once a month for a 90-minute session (2:15 PM – 3:45 PM). This allows for ongoing skill development while giving children time to practice skills in their everyday environments between sessions.

Who Can Benefit from Social Skills Groups?

Our groups support children and teens who:

  • Struggle to initiate or maintain friendships
  • Experience peer rejection or bullying
  • Have difficulty understanding social cues
  • Demonstrate rigid or inflexible thinking in social settings
  • Need support with assertiveness and problem-solving

Parent Involvement

We recognize that social growth extends beyond the therapy room. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress and encouraged to reinforce skills at home. We also offer guidance on ways parents can support their child’s social development in everyday settings.

Our Goal

Our goal is to equip children with the tools they need to form meaningful relationships and experience social success, while helping them develop the confidence to navigate the social world independently.
If you believe your child could benefit from our Social Skills Groups, we invite you to contact our office to learn more or to schedule a consultation with Kelly.