The Social Skills Group is a psychotherapeutic skills-building group for children 6 - 12 years old with social difficulties, mild depression or anxiety, and behavioral problems including behaviors associated with Attention Deficit Disorder. Each group is comprised of children within a 2-year age-range.

The goal of the group is to facilitate the development of social and emotional competence. Children learn how to give and receive empathy and social support as they learn how to identify, appropriately express, and cope with negative feelings.

Play is used to encourage cooperation, team work, manage impulse control, improve communication, and self-esteem. Facilitators model appropriate behavior, stop problematic behavior and problem-solve with the children as problems arise in the group. Positive reinforcement techniques provide incentives for learning these skills.

The group is facilitated by Dr. Michelle Purvey, a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years experience treating psychological issues of children and families. Dr. Purvey is Co-director of Marin Pediatric Psychological Services, and a Senior Child and Family Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente East Bay Medical Center.

For more information or registration call Dr. Purvey: 415-374-8956