Therapeutic Groups
Play-based group sessions designed to support social, emotional, and developmental growth through connection, movement, and meaningful experiences.
Who Our Therapeutic Groups Are For
Our therapeutic groups are designed for children who benefit from extra support in building the foundational skills needed for success in everyday life. Whether your child is working on improving attention and regulation, developing motor coordination, enhancing social interaction, or gaining confidence in sensory or self-care activities, our groups provide a supportive and engaging environment to grow these skills through play and meaningful experiences.
Led by occupational therapists and speech therapists, each group offers a structured yet playful setting where children can connect with peers, explore new challenges, and strengthen the skills that support their participation at home, in school, and in the community.
We welcome children of all abilities and tailor each group to meet participants where they are—helping them move toward greater independence, confidence, and joy in daily activities.
Goal Areas Addressed in Our Therapeutic Groups
Our groups are designed for children ages 3 and up, addressing key developmental and functional areas such as:
Self-regulation and emotional control
Sensory processing
Executive functioning
Fine motor Skills
Gross motor skills
Social interaction and peer relationships
Confidence and independence in daily routines
Play and leisure participation
Our Group Programs
At Creating Connections, we offer a variety of therapeutic group programs designed and led by licensed pediatric occupational therapists and speech therapists. Our groups are thoughtfully structured around age, developmental level, and therapeutic focus, ensuring every child has the opportunity to participate, succeed, and have fun along the way.
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This group is co-led by a speech and occupational therapist and combines structured and unstructured play. Children work on social-pragmatic skills, self-regulation in a group setting, game-playing etiquette, and building organic peer connections. Your child will benefit from both OT and speech support in one engaging group!
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Calm Club focuses on coping strategies and self-regulation skills. Using an empowerment and confidence-building approach, children learn to understand their emotions, bodily sensations, and reactions. Each week, participants create a “toolbox” of strategies and practice mindfulness techniques to bring home and use in daily life.
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In this feeding group, children engage in gross and fine motor sensory play while exploring novel foods in a same-age group. Activities include oral-motor games, mealtime functional skills, and social participation, helping children feel more comfortable and confident during meals.
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Sensory Squad provides a supportive, movement-based environment for children of all abilities to explore at their own pace. Activities are designed to support self-regulation, body awareness, coordination, and social interaction. Children have access to swings, crash pads, obstacle courses, climbing equipment, and calming spaces, allowing them to move, connect, or find a safe space to simply be themselves.
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This group strengthens executive functioning skills such as organization, time management, planning, task initiation, self-monitoring, and emotional regulation. Through fun activities, group discussions, and practical strategies, children learn to become more confident, independent, and effective in their daily routines at home and in the community.
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This group introduces children to basic hiking skills while exploring nature. Participants work on safety, environmental awareness, and self-regulation, benefiting from the sensory input that outdoor adventures provide.
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This play-based group supports early social, emotional, and academic skill development. Children practice following directions, routines, taking turns, sharing, and positive peer interactions. Activities also focus on language and communication, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving, and self-help tasks such as handwashing, cleanup, and managing belongings—preparing them for a successful start to preschool or kindergarten.
What to Expect
Group Length and Structure
Each group runs in a six-week series and lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. Groups may take place in the community—such as on a local hiking trail—or within our newly renovated clinic space, giving children opportunities to develop skills in a variety of environments.
Play-Based Learning and Therapeutic Goals
Through movement, play, and meaningful activities, children work toward the greater therapeutic goals and theme of the group. Activities target areas such as self-regulation, motor coordination, sensory processing, and social participation.
Family Involvement and Support
Parent involvement is an essential part of the process. Caregivers receive individualized feedback at both the midpoint and conclusion of the group to support carryover of skills at home and in daily routines.
Home Practice and Consistency
Some groups include weekly handouts reviewing strategies, language, and therapeutic approaches introduced during sessions. These materials help families reinforce consistency and support progress beyond the clinic setting.
FAQs
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Primarily, all of our groups are private pay. We are in-network with BCBS and Mass General Brigham (MGB), which allows us to process group sessions through insurance when appropriate. Please note that insurance coverage must be pre-approved by our group coordinator prior to the start of the series.
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Our groups are primarily designed for current clients receiving occupational therapy services at our practice. However, if your child is not currently on our caseload and you feel they may benefit from a therapeutic group, a group screening can be completed by our group coordinator to determine eligibility and best fit.
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We strongly encourage consistent attendance at all group sessions to ensure your child gains the full therapeutic benefit and can progress alongside their peers. We understand that occasional scheduling conflicts may arise — if your child must miss a session, please notify the group coordinator in advance. Please note that missed sessions are non-refundable.
Testimonials
Learn More About Our Groups
Interested in one of our therapeutic groups? Reach out today to learn more or sign up for an upcoming session.