Courage Club 2020 COVID-19 Update

What is Courage Club? 

ATS's Courage Club therapy group provides a safe environment in which children with selective mutism, social phobia, or other related anxieties can practice age-appropriate activities, opening the pathway for engaging in these activities outside of therapy. Each set of group dates will focus on a relevant activity for the season, such as Trick or Treating in October and leading a family game during the holiday season. The therapeutic goals include decreasing avoidance, increasing verbal interaction, and generalizing treatment gains into the home/public setting.

Courage Club is ideal for children who are ready to expand their treatment into group settings and would benefit from a peer group in which all the children are coping with anxiety. This group is for children in the advanced beginner stage of group therapy as well as those who require continued maintenance of treatment gains. 

If you are also interested in Lunch Bunch (which occurs on Saturdays before Courage Club), Click Here.
 

Prerequisites 

Courage Club is ATS's advanced beginner group. The group is designed to continue to foster the generalization of verbal and social skills in a peer group setting. This group is intended for children who have received outpatient individual therapy and have reached the goal of responding directly and consistently to their primary therapist. Children must also demonstrate the ability to repsond to the group therapist during the preview session. Previous experience in group therapy (e.g., successfully participated in Come Play) is also an indicator of readiness for this advanced beginner group. Therefore, this group is appropriate for children who are ready for the next level of group exposures or who can benefit from specific social/peer activities to help maintain treatment gains.

The prerequisites are as follows:

• Has established a consistent verbal relationship with their Primary Therapist.
• Must have completed sessions at ATS within the last three months, including at least one peer session (1:1 Child to Therapist ratio).
• Demonstrates the ability to separate from parent(s) after a 5-10 min warm up during individual therapy session and group therapy session.
• Is able to respond directly to Group Therapist in the presence of a peer during the preview session.

If you are not sure if your child meets these prerequisites, talk it over with your child's ATS therapist. If it has been over three months since your child has been in treatment at ATS, then a refresher session may be necessary to reacquaint your child. 

If it has been over 6 months since your child has been in treatment at ATS, or your child has never received treatment at ATS, and you think this group is ideal for your child's needs, please contact ATS at 630-230-6505 to set up an intake evaluation.

What to Expect - 1 Preview, 5 Group Sessions

The purpose of a preview session is two-fold. First, it allows your child a chance to see what the group is about and see who else is registered before comitting to the full 5 sessions of group. Secondly, it allows the clinician to assess whether or not your child is ready for this group.

Group Date Options

SEPT/OCT (Halloween Theme)
     Goal: To prepare for interacting with others and using brave loud voices - great for Trick or Treating!

     Preview Session - Saturday, Sept 19, 2:00pm-3:30pm

     Group Sessions - Saturdays, 2:00-3:30pm: 9/26, 10/03, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24

NOV/DEC (Holiday Theme)
     Goal: To prepare for interacting with extended family & friends over the Thanksgiving and winter breaks!

     Preview Session - Saturday, Nov 7, 2:00pm-3:30pm

    Group Sessions - Saturdays, 2:00-3:30pm: 11/14, 11/21, 12/05, 12/12, 12/19

Fees 

Group sessions are billed at $95/hr. Courage Club is 1.5 hrs per session. Upon registering, you will be charged for 6 sessions (1 Preview and 5 Group Sessions = $855). If you cancel before the Preview Session, you will be refunded for the full 6 sessions less a $25 administrative fee. If your child attends the Preview Session and it is determined that he/she needs more therapy before participating in this level group, you will be refunded the full amount less $142.50 for the Preview Session and the administrative fee will be waived. To cancel, call 630-230-6505 Ext 2. Insurance CPT code is 90853. Statements will be provided to those who wish to submit to their insurance for reimbursement.

If you are also interested in Lunch Bunch (which occurs on Saturdays before Courage Club), Click Here.

Click to read HIPAA form.

Can't make these groups? See our other groups here! 

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