Activity Social Skills Groups For Boys

The Activity Counseling for Boys program focuses on building skills to help boys excel socially, emotionally, and academically. Activity Counseling Groups offered at Pathways Psychology Services use activities, games, and problem-solving initiatives to aid boys in developing resources to overcome various social and coping difficulties. The groups are educational, provide guidance in effective behaviors, and offer an opportunity for boys to get positive feedback from group leaders and members. The groups provide an outlet where boys can try new behaviors and have successful experiences in a safe environment where criticism is discouraged and positive feedback is provided.

Goals

The goals of Activity Counseling Groups for Boys include:

  • To build and develop practical and helpful social and coping skills that will allow for enhanced problem- solving abilities and interpersonal success with others.

  • To provide exposure and learning opportunities that will carry over into real life experiences.

  • To impart skills, education, and corrective experiences in an environment that is active, engaging, and fun.

  • To address unique problems including issues associated with diagnoses of ADHD, Autism/Asperger’s spectrum, social anxiety, social skills deficits, frustration management, and coping with stress.

  • Focus on positive strength-based life skills potentially useful and applicable to all.​

Outdoor/Indoor Settings

Groups are run outdoors during the spring, summer, and fall at the Pathways Winfield location. During rain or cold weather, groups move to the gym area located within the Pathways facility.

Initiatives and Activities

Activity Counseling Groups utilize activities, discussion, and problem-solving challenges that lead to greater participation and real-life experiences in overcoming challenges and adapting in healthy ways.

These activities include:

  • Mindfulness techniques

  • Leadership initiatives

  • Team-building games

  • Active coping exercises

  • Group problem-solving activities

  • Social education games

  • Success/Self-Esteem experiences

This experiential approach uses active teaching so that lessons can be integrated, experienced, passed on, and remembered. The games and initiatives allow boys to work together to develop cooperation, improved focus, sportsmanship, and communication skills.

Skills for Life

A lesson is provided each week tailored to both individual and group goals. Skill modules are designed to add to the child/adolescent’s tools for effectively and successfully functioning in the world.

Lessons include:

  • Social Skills: starting conversations, making friends, resolving conflicts, coping with losing, making mistakes, and increasing interpersonal attraction.

  • Attention/Mindfulness: developing the ability to strengthen and focus attention.

  • Self-talk Skills: the ability to have greater control over thinking while increasing positive thinking and decreasing negative thinking.

  • Self-Esteem: developing a positive attitude, feeling confident about oneself, and overcoming peer pressure.

  • Problem-Solving: working with others, making good choices, and setting goals.

  • Coping: Frustration tolerance, anger management, reducing anxiety, and building self-confidence.

Alternative to Traditional Counseling

The Activity Counseling Groups are an alternative to more traditional counseling engaging boys through activities while emphasizing skill-building and process oriented in-the-moment experiences and feedback. Unlike other traditional sporting activities, the Activity Groups highlight team goals and working together over individual competition.

Age Range

Elementary through high school age groups offered.

Groups Run Year Round

Groups move to indoor Open Conference Area depending on the weather​.

Groups are divided by ages, Groups start 3rd grade through High School)

Group Leaders and Co-Leaders

Dr. Joe Roszkowski

Clinical Psychologist, Group Leader

Dr. Joe created the Activity Social Skills Groups for Boys program in 2004 in an effort to find an alternative way to engage boys more actively in the counseling process. Since beginning with four boys in 2004, the Activity Social Skills Group for Boys program as grown to five separate age groups.

Dr. Joe received his Doctoral and Master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Clinical Psychology and was a member of the adjunct faculty there. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Religion. He provides individual and family therapy, as well as psychological assessment to children and adults.

Zach Meers, LCPC, NCC

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Zach Meers is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). He is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He has worked in helping profession for 10 years. Zach received a Masters Degree in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. He received his Bachelors Degree in both Psychology and Philosophy from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Zach has over 80 hours of training in behavior analysis. He has also completed over 10 hours of trauma related training.