Excel Academy is pleased to announce the addition of a specialized outpatient group addressing anxiety.



Group Description: Excel Academy’s anxiety group will focus on assisting students with anxiety through a skills training group to learn different strategies to better manage their anxiety. The group will teach coping skills and provide guided, safe opportunities to practice these coping skills. Often as a result of anxiety students’ communication skills and their confidence in their abilities to communicate with others have suffered. Members will practice communicating with others through guided role plays which may seem too threatening to practice outside of group. Group members will be taught cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help them identify the link between their self talk and anxiety as well as to aid them in disputing irrational beliefs. Group therapy is a great place to build social skills and reduce anxiety while building confidence in a nonthreatening environment.

How do you know if this group might be a good fit for your child?

• Does your child attempt to refuse to go to school? 

• Say that he/she is ill in attempts to avoid things?

• Avoid family activities preferring to spend time alone? 

• Has there been a recent change in your child’s behavior accompanied by a sudden gain or loss in weight? 

• Does any change in your child’s routine cause him/her to become upset? 

These are just a few of the ways to recognize when your child may benefit from participating in an anxiety group. Excel Academy’s anxiety group is planning to meet once weekly for 15 weeks. The group will consist of 4-6 members, and each session will last 90 minutes. This group will be facilitated by licensed clinicians. Group will be filled on a first come first serve basis.



If you are interested in participating in Excel Academy’s Anxiety group please complete a mental health referral and return it to Jessica Shaffer by October 20th. For additional information on this group or other outpatient mental health services at Excel Academy, please contact Jessica Shaffer at 740-644-9867.