Teen Therapy Groups in Westlake Village, CA
Social Skills | Anxiety | ADHD | Autism | UCLA PEERS | Self-Esteem
Something changed with your kid…
They used to have friends. They used to talk to you. They used to seem okay. Now they're in their room all the time, or melting down over things that didn't used to be a big deal, or so quiet you can't tell if this is normal teenage stuff or something you should be worried about. You've tried asking. You've tried giving space. You've tried both at the same time. Nothing is getting through.
TEEn GROUP THERAPY IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA
Teen Therapy Groups
Growing up right now is a lot. THE pressure to perform, fit in, figure out who you are, all while your brain is literally still developing.
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Connect with peers who actually get what they're going through
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Talk openly about anxiety, depression, self-esteem, friendship struggles, and family tension
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Build skills they'll actually use, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and communication
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Practice giving and receiving feedback in a safe, structured environment
As a certified UCLA PEERS provider and BCBA, I design teen groups around evidence-based social skills training, not just talking, but doing.
why group Therapy works for teens
Teens learn from each other in ways they will never learn from an adult.
You can tell your kid the same thing a hundred times. But when another 15-year-old in the room says "yeah, me too," something shifts. Teens are wired to learn from their peers. Group therapy works with that instead of against it. They practice real skills, get honest feedback from kids their own age, and figure out they're not the only one dealing with this.
01. THEY STOP FEELING LIKE THE ONLY ONE
Your teen thinks something is wrong with them specifically. That nobody else struggles like this. Sitting in a room with other kids working through the same stuff rewrites that story faster than anything you or I could say to them.
02. practice in real time
This is not a share circle. They practice starting conversations, reading social cues, handling conflict, and regulating emotions in real time with real feedback. Skills they can use at school the next day, not just concepts they heard about.
03. THEY ACTUALLY OPEN UP
Most teens won't say the real thing to a parent or a therapist. But put them in a room with other kids who get it, and the walls come down. Less intimidation, more honesty, more willingness to actually engage instead of giving you one-word answers.
04. THEY SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER
When other kids in the group know your teen's name and what they're working on, it creates something weekly individual therapy can't. They don't want to let the group down. They come back. Even on the weeks they don't feel like it.
TEEN GROUPS CAN HELP WITH
𓇼 Social anxiety and difficulty making or keeping friendships
𓇼 ADHD, executive functioning, and emotional regulation challenges
𓇼 Low self-esteem, self-doubt, and not feeling like they belong
𓇼 Withdrawal, isolation, and pulling away from family and friends
𓇼 Depression, mood changes, and loss of interest in things they used to love
𓇼 Navigating identity, pressure, and the stress of growing up
A note for Parents
I know you have questions about what happens in group. What your teen shares. What you'll be told. What stays confidential. Those are fair questions and I answer them directly before your teen ever walks in the door.
Here's what I can tell you now: I maintain regular contact with parents, with your teen's awareness and consent. I'll never leave you in the dark about how your kid is doing. And I'll never make your teen feel like therapy is something that happens behind your back. You're part of this. The goal is for your family to work better together, not to create a wall between you and your kid.
California has specific confidentiality rules for minors that I'll walk you through clearly so you know exactly what to expect. No surprises. No ambiguity.
Hi, I am Efi
I'm Efi Pyladaki-Feinstein, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 16 years of experience working with teens and adolescents. I'm a certified UCLA PEERS provider, which means I run evidence-based social skills groups specifically designed for teens who struggle with friendships, social cues, and feeling like they belong.
I believe in group therapy for teens because I've watched what happens when a kid who thinks they're the only one struggling walks into a room full of other kids dealing with the same stuff. Something shifts. They stop performing. They start talking. And they practice real skills with real people their own age, not just with me telling them what to do. That's something individual therapy can't replicate. Teens learn from each other in ways they will never learn from an adult, and my job is to build the structure that makes that happen safely.you.
Getting started is simple
How Group Therapy Works
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01 . We Talk First
Before joining any group, you'll have a one-on-one conversation with me. I want to make sure the group is the right fit for you and that you feel prepared walking in. Nobody goes in blind. -
02. Small & Intentional
Groups are kept small, typically 4 to 8 people, so everyone has space to be heard. Every session has structure and purpose. This isn't a free-for-all. -
03. Consistent & Confidential
Groups meet on a regular schedule, typically 8 to 12 weeks, with sessions running 60 to 90 minutes. What's shared in the room stays in the room. That trust is what makes group work.
Group Therapy
FAQs
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Most groups run 8 to 12 weeks in cohorts. Some ongoing support groups are open-ended. Sessions are 60 to 90 minutes depending on the group.
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Yes — it's one of my specialties as a BCBA. Parent groups combine emotional support with practical behavior strategies that actually translate to your home.
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Coverage varies by plan. Contact us and we can help you check your benefits before committing.
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That's completely normal. You never have to share more than you're ready for. Most people find that after a session or two, the group starts to feel like the safest place they have.
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Yes — and I recommend it for a lot of clients. Individual therapy gives you depth. Group therapy gives you practice and connection. They work really well together.
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Typically 4 to 8. Small enough that everyone gets real time, big enough that you benefit from different perspectives.