The Social Stage
We are reimagining the therapeutic model for nurturing social & emotional skill development in children. Kids acquire essential communication & relationship skills, self-awareness, & emotional intelligence without realizing the depth of their learning experience through a fun, engaging, & interactive approach.
In this 8-week online group, kids have fun participating in activities to...
✓ Enhance self-esteem
✓ Blend physical & emotional well-being
✓ Expand empathy & understanding for self & others
✓ Cultivate creativity
✓ Practice self-control
✓ Improve listening skills
✓ Facilitate personal growth & self-awareness
✓ Boost self-confidence
✓ Increase sense of play & spontaneity
✓ Deepen one's understanding of relationship dynamics
✓ Improve interpersonal & social skills
✓ Increase mental & emotional flexibility
Next Group: Fall 2024
Date & Time: TBD
*Click below to be notified when the next group is scheduled and place your child on the waiting list.
The ultimate aim is to contribute to the overall well-being and positive development of individuals in the group.
Emotional Exploration
Fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of emotions on one’s behaviors, relationships, & well-being through “acting out” various scenarios and situations.
Skill Development
Practicing social and emotional skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, communication, and playful problem-solving. These skills are essential for healthy relationships and personal growth.
Promoting Self-Reflection
Encouraging self-reflection on personal strengths, areas for growth, and the impact of one's actions on oneself and others. This can contribute to increased self-awareness and personal development.
Building Positive Relationships
Facilitating opportunities for participants to build positive and supportive relationships within the group. This can contribute to a sense of belonging and connectedness
Fun Interactions
Voluntary engagement in games and exercises is designed to foster teamwork, cooperation, and a sense of community. This may include role-playing, group discussions, and collaborative projects.
Cultivating a Safe Space
Creating a safe and non-judgmental space where participants feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Trust and confidentiality are often emphasized.
The Social Stage:
Building Connections & Community Through Fun and Play
Session 1
"Inner Discovery, Outer Play"
Session 2
"Embracing Empathy & Emotions"
Session 3
"The Power of Effective Communication"
Session 4
"Conflict Resolution in the Spotlight"
Session 5
"Cultivating Confidence"
Session 6
"The Art of Collaboration"
Session 7
"Cultivating Creativity and Adaptability"
Session 8
"Our Final Act"
Testimonials
Meet the Facilitators
Kullan Edberg, Professional Actor & Drama Teacher
An actor, teacher, & writer who loves facilitating virtual drama groups to promote child development and individual creative writing projects for children. Kullan is a graduate of NYU Tisch/Stella Adler Studios. After spending two joyful years on the off-Broadway production of Puffs at New World Stage, she joined the foreign service community, where she has had the opportunity to teach middle school drama, creative writing, & professional acting workshops in Mexico. She now resides with her husband in Washington, DC, recently adding her performance skills to a production at the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Elizabeth Joy Shaffer, OTD, OTR/L
US Board-certified Occupational Therapist
Helping thousands of children & families worldwide since 2001. Elizabeth's passion is working with & advocating for individuals in the neurodiversity community. She uses a combination of Eastern & Western practices to support child development & parental growth. She is a contributing author of The Highest Frequency of Love: Unconventional Solutions for Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum. Elizabeth is a foreign service spouse and a mom of neurodivergent teens. She currently resides in Belgium with her family.
This is a great opportunity for children to have fun, make new connections, and enhance their social-emotional skills through an engaging online group.
Program Details
Title: The Social Stage
Age Group: 10 - 13 years
Duration: 8 - weeks
Frequency: 1-hour/week
Platform: Online/Zoom
Group Size: 6 - 12 kids/group
Objective: Our program is designed to create a supportive and interactive environment where kids can:
⚞ Strengthen social-emotional skills
⚞ Increase self-awareness
⚞ Build connections among peers
⚞ Gain confidence in communicating with others
⚞ Strengthen emotional intelligence (EQ)
Activities: We aim to help children build self-confidence and connect with their peers through engaging and dramatic activities promoting social skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy. We have carefully curated a variety of activities to make each session enjoyable and educational. From interactive games to group discussions, your child can learn, grow, and have a great time in a safe virtual space.
How to Register: If you're interested in enrolling your child, please complete the registration process by clicking on the following inquiry form. Spaces are limited. We encourage you to sign up as soon as possible.
Cost: $65 per class (total of 8 classes per session)
Contact Information: For any questions or additional information, please get in touch with us at elizabethjoy@therapyintl.com.
The Social Stage:
Session Structure
Session 1: "Discovering Our Theatrical Tribe"
- Introduction to each other and the drama class
- Icebreakers and team-building games
- Group activities to foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity
Session 2: "Embracing Empathy & Emotions"
- Understanding and developing empathy through role-playing
- Exploring emotions and perspectives in theatrical games
- Collaborative exercises to promote active listening and understanding
Session 3: "The Power of Effective Communication"
- Developing clear and expressive communication through improvisation
- Non-verbal cues and body language exercises
- Building trust and connection through partnered scenes
Session 4: "Conflict Resolution in the Spotlight"
- Using drama techniques to address conflicts constructively
- Role-playing challenging scenarios and finding resolutions
- Encouraging open dialogue and respecting differing opinions
Session 5: "Cultivating Confidence"
- Building self-confidence through individual monologues and group performances
- Constructive feedback and supportive critique
- Encouraging positive self-image and self-expression
Session 6: "The Art of Collaboration"
- Teamwork and cooperation in creating original scenes
- Negotiation and compromise within the creative process
- Appreciating each other's strengths and contributions
Session 7: "Cultivating Creativity and Adaptability"
- Storytelling exercises to ignite the imagination
- Adapting scripts and characters for different perspectives
- Embracing spontaneity and creative thinking in performance
Session 8: "Our Final Act"
- Rehearsing and polishing the group's performance (emotional intelligence in action)
- Celebrating the journey and growth throughout the drama class
- Commemorative performance and reflections
Inquire Here
Frequently Asked Questions
Attending each session is highly encouraged as each session builds upon the past sessions; however, life may happen. As this is an interactive group, we encourage children to attend the live sessions as much as possible. If your child misses a class, they can join us again next week. There is no charge for missed classes.
The intention of this group is to facilitate children's skill development in social and emotional skills. Families have sought reimbursement for this group through their insurance plan and home school allowances. If you seek to have this group reimbursed, please indicate this on the enrollment form. We will provide the necessary information on your paid invoice, which you can then submit for reimbursement. We recommend verifying reimbursement options before paying.
If your insurance plan offers benefits for occupational therapy, your insurance company may cover the group's cost minus deductibles.
Please contact your insurance company to verify the benefits of
- Group occupational therapy services (CBT code: 97150)
Common treatment diagnoses covered for this type of group intervention include;
F81.9 Development disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified
F84.0 Autistic disorder
F88.9 Other specified delays in development
F89 Unspecified disorder of psychological development
F90.0 Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominantly inattentive type
F90.2 Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type
R41.89 Other symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness
R41.9 Unspecified symptoms and signs involving cognitive functions and awareness
You will be responsible for submitting paid invoices & receipts to your insurance if you seek to be reimbursed for services. We cannot guarantee that your insurance will reimburse you for your child's attendance in this group. You will be provided with a receipt by email after each payment. Please notify the instructor if you need additional information on your receipt to submit it to your insurance.
Contact the facilitators at
Elizabeth Joy Shaffer: elizabeth@therapyintl.com
Kullan Edberg: kullansedberg@gmail.com
Payment for the sessions is split into two payments. You will receive an invoice via email for the first four classes at the end of week four and the second at the end of week eight. You can pay via credit card or bank transfer.
We understand that kids will want to "try and see" before committing to a group, especially if they have felt uncomfortable joining groups in the past. As there are only a limited number of spots, we need to ensure that the kids joining will continue for the 2-month session. As this is led by a therapist with many years of experience helping children to feel safe and regulated while nurturing skill development, we do our best to make it a fun and safe setting where kids enjoy themselves and want to come each week.
