| 27 w 130 Roosevelt Road, Suite 203, Winfield, IL 60190 (630) 588-8490 |
Serving: Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Winfield, West Chicago, Aurora, Elmhurst, Dupage County, and Surrounding Areas |
Activity Groups for Boys
Activity Counseling Groups 
for Boys:
Social, Coping, and Life Skills
Activity Counseling Groups
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 the group leaders and group members. The groups provide an outlet where boys can try new behaviors and have success experiences in a safe and uncritical 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, helpful social and coping skills that will allow for enhanced problem-solving abilities and increased interpersonal success with others.
•
To provide learning and success experiences in new behaviors 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, 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 primarily held at local parks and forests opening clients to the rich and relaxing aspects of the local natural habitat. On cold and rainy days, the groups move to an inside gym facility where the activity oriented format of the group is maintained.
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 new ways. These activities include:
•
Group problem-solving activities
•
Leadership initiatives
•
Team-building games
•
Success/Self-Esteem experiences
•
Active coping exercises
•
Social education games
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. Dr. Joe and Co-Leader Mr. Cooley guide and provide feedback to the group as well as individual coaching to help group members achieve personal goals.
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:
•
Attention: 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.
•
Social skills: starting conversations, making friends, resolving conflicts, coping with losing, making mistakes, and increasing interpersonal attraction.
•
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 feeling better about oneself.
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 a gym facility depending on the weather.
Dr. Joe Roszkowski, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Group Leader
Dr. Joe is a licensed clinical psychologist who has been working in the human services field for over twelve years. He provides individual, family, and couples therapy, and psychological testing to children, adolescents and adults. Dr. Roszkowski created and leads the Activity Counseling Social and Coping Skills Groups for Boys program at Pathways. He completed his Doctorate and Masters Degree in Psychology at Roosevelt University. Dr. Joe was awarded his Bachelor Degree in Religion at Florida State University. He is certified in EMDR and trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy as well as Pastoral Counseling. He was an adjunct faculty member at Roosevelt University where he taught Bachelors and Masters level psychology courses. He has served as an expert witness in family cases in DuPage County and Kane County. Dr. Joe also provides supervision to other therapists, interns, and is a consultant for private and non-profit organizations.
David Cooley, MA
Co-Leader
David has a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from American School of Professional Psychology in Schaumburg, IL where he is currently enrolled as a 3rd year Doctoral student. He has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in settings ranging from summer day programs and wilderness summer camps to various clinical settings. Additionally, David recently completed a year long psychological testing externship at a local hospital, and over the next year he will be conducting group therapy in Chicago-land private schools as well as conducting counseling and therapy with clients of all ages. David received his Bachelors in Psychology at Oklahoma Baptist University.
Referral Process and Payment
Group counseling and the counseling groups in this program are reimbursed by many insurance providers. Pathways Psychology also provides sliding scale fee rates.
To contact us with a question regarding a problem your child is experiencing, for inquiries regarding our services, or to set an initial consulation, call (630) 588-8490 or click below.
Serving: Naperville • Wheaton • Glen Ellyn • Winfield • West Chicago • Geneva • Bloomingdale • Elmhurst • Villa Park • Lombard • Aurora • Carol Stream • Elgin • Bartlett • Plainfield • Batavia • Lisle • Downers Grove • St. Charles • Dupage County • Kane County • Will County • Cook County • Illinois
Office Contact and Location:
Pathways Psychology Services
Phone: 630-588-8490
Fax: 630-588-8491
E-mail: drjoe@pathways-psychology.com
27W130 Roosevelt Road, Suite 203
Winfield, IL 60190