Who can refer a youth to this group?

Parents and guardians, therapists, case managers, school counselors, courts, and child protective services can all make referrals. Youth and families may also self-refer by calling our office.

Does my child need a diagnosis to participate?

No. We specialize in youth with behavioral health diagnoses, but we welcome youth who do not have a formal diagnosis and are experiencing emotional or social challenges.

Is this covered by Medicaid?

Yes. Ohio Medicaid is accepted. Self-pay options are also available — please contact us to discuss.

How long is each group cycle?

[Confirm with Cornerstone: number of sessions per cycle and whether youth re-enroll.]

Can my child be in both a group and individual therapy?

Absolutely — and this is often the most effective combination. The group reinforces and extends the work of individual therapy. Facilitators can coordinate with existing providers when helpful.

What if my child misses a session?

Attendance is important for group cohesion. If a session must be missed, please notify us in advance. [Confirm attendance policy with Cornerstone.]

| PROGRAM

Social & Emotional Groups

A psychoeducational group experience where youth learn, practice, and grow together.

Building the emotional skills to handle life’s hardest moments — with peers who get it.

We accept Ohio Medicaid

Open to youth with and without a formal behavioral health diagnosis

Most young people struggling emotionally don’t need more adults telling them what to do. They need peers who understand, a safe structure to practice real skills, and a facilitator who knows how to make that learning stick. That’s exactly what our Social and Emotional Groups provide.

These groups are psychoeducational — a structured combination of education, skill-building, and peer support. We don’t just teach concepts. Youth practice applying them in real-life situations, discuss what’s working and what isn’t, and hold each other accountable between sessions. The peer dynamic itself is part of the intervention.

8-12

Ages (younger group)

13-17

Ages (older group)

Every other week

Group frequency

CBT-Based

Therapeutic approach

What this group is — and what it isn’t

Psychoeducational groups occupy a distinct space in youth behavioral health. They are not therapy groups, though they are clinically grounded. They are not classroom instruction, though education is central to what happens. They sit at the intersection of learning and community — and that intersection is where real change tends to happen.

The CBT foundation

Our groups are grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — one of the most rigorously researched approaches in youth mental health. CBT is structured, skill-focused, and action-oriented. It teaches youth to recognize the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — and gives them practical tools to interrupt unhelpful patterns. Between sessions, youth are expected to practice skills in real situations. That application is where the learning becomes lasting.

What the groups address

Topics are sequenced intentionally across the group cycle, building skills that compound over time:

Coping skills and emotional regulation
Self-esteem and self-confidence
Self-awareness and identity
Stress management and resilience
Managing anxiety and worry

Communication and assertiveness
Conflict resolution and de-escalation
Healthy peer relationships
Recognizing and setting boundaries
Decision-making and consequence thinking

Who benefits most

Our groups serve youth with a wide range of experiences and diagnoses. You do not need a formal behavioral health diagnosis to participate. The right fit is any young person who is:

Struggling with emotional regulation, outbursts, or shutting down
Having difficulty maintaining friendships or navigating peer conflict
Experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, or persistent negative self-talk
Going through a significant life transition — family changes, school changes, loss
Already in therapy or case management and needs a peer-supported skills component
Court-involved or school-referred and seeking structured community support

Youth with a formal behavioral health diagnosis are our specialty, and our facilitators are trained to lead groups that include a range of needs and backgrounds within the same cohort.

Group structure and format

Session design

Each session follows a consistent structure: brief check-in, skill introduction or review, interactive practice (role play, discussion, group activity), real-life application planning, and accountability for the previous session’s goals. The consistency of the format is intentional — it reduces anxiety and builds trust over time.

Group composition

Groups are deliberately split by age. Youth ages 8–12 meet together; youth ages 13–17 meet together. This ensures developmental appropriateness in both content and peer dynamics. Groups are small to allow for genuine relationship-building and individualized attention within the group setting.

Facilitator approach

Facilitators are trained in CBT group methodology and experienced in working with youth who have behavioral health challenges. They are directive without being authoritarian, structured without being rigid. The group is led — not just facilitated.

Schedule and logistics

Ages 8–12: Mondays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Ages 13–17: Thursdays, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Frequency: Every other week (biweekly). Call to confirm current cycle dates.
Location: [Confirm with Cornerstone: address and room]
Insurance: Ohio Medicaid accepted. Self-pay options available.

What to expect when you enroll

1

Referral submitted: A parent, guardian, provider, or school submits a referral. Self-referrals are also welcome.
2
Intake conversation: A brief intake is completed to understand the youth’s background, current needs, and group fit.
3

Group placement: Youth are placed in the appropriate age group for the next available cycle.
4

Orientation: Youth and parents receive an overview of group expectations, structure, and the CBT framework.
5

Group begins: Sessions run biweekly. Attendance and between-session practice are expected components of participation.

Who this service is for

Social and Emotional Groups are available for youth ages 8–17.

Cornerstone Community Health is an inclusive organization

We welcome individuals and families of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences without discrimination.

| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS