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.

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.​

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

Elementary through high school age groups offered.

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

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