Teen Healthy Connections Groups in New Jersey
A series of social-emotional education workshops through the Summer
for young teens to improve relationship skills, manage anxiety, and regulate their mood
Maybe you saw your child struggling in school with anxiety and friendships. Or maybe not all plans came together for the summer, and they’re on their phone too much with nothing going on…
Many teens struggle with anxiety, peer pressure, emotional regulation, and social confidence. We are offering eight stand-alone group workshops called Teen Healthy Connections to support young adolescents in building healthy relationships, managing anxiety and mood, and improving social-emotional awareness in a safe, structured, and friendly setting.
These group workshops use techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), two of the most widely used and easily adapted treatment styles. It also incorporates elements of Role Playing, Skills Rehearsal, and Art Therapy, as well as Mindfulness exercises. We use worksheets, grounding tools, fidgets, flip charts, and sometimes handouts for parents, too!
A successful outcome for our participants includes:
- Increased social confidence and participation
- Improved ability to communicate feelings
- Improved ability to navigate friendships and boundaries
- Reduced anxiety symptoms related to peer interactions
- Enhanced emotional insight and coping strategies
- Deeper peer connection and reduced isolation
These in-person summer groups for teens aged 13-16 will meet in our Little Falls offices from July through the end of August. Each week is a stand-alone, self-contained group workshop that is lead by two licensed child-therapy professionals who will provide a balance of education, skills-introduction, and healthy fun with like-minded peers.
When are the group workshops?
July 1st through August 26th, 2026. Each session is an hour and 15 minutes
What time is each group?
Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm-7:45pm
Where are the groups being held?
Insight Psychological Group – Little Falls Office
275 Paterson Ave. Suite 205
Little Falls, NJ 07424
Who is it open to?
Teens, age 13-16 (approx)
Workshop Fees
Paying “out of pocket” is the fastest and easiest way for your child to attend. No in-depth psychological evaluation needed. After a 15-minute introductory phone call with a group leader, they can just show up!
$45 per single workshop. $5 discount for each additional workshop reserved:
- Two Workshops: $85 instead of $90
- Three Workshops: $125 instead of $135
- Four Workshops: $165 instead of $180
- Five Workshops: $205 instead of $225
- Six Workshops: $245 instead of $270
- Seven Workshops: $285 instead of $315
- Full Summer: $325 instead of $360
You can start with one workshop, then purchase a bunch more when your teen says they had a great time!
To Use your Insurance
To use your insurance, we need you to fill out the Registration and Screening Form for group participation. Also, prior to the first group attended, an intake session will be required to obtain a basic history and understand the issues the participant struggles with.
When using your insurance, your regular copay, coinsurance, or deductible will apply, and you will be billed for your regular Patient Responsibility as per your coverage determination.
For Teens:
Life as a teen can feel like juggling a million things at once: school deadlines, friendship, relationships, family tensions, figuring out who you are, body changes, social media pressures, and a world that can just feel… overwhelming. It’s hard to know how to deal with all of that and still feel like yourself.
That’s why it helps to have a space that’s real- no fake smiles, no forced sharing, no one telling you to “just calm down.” A place where people get it, where you can talk things out without being judged, and where you don’t have to pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.
In this group, we’ll talk about what’s really going on in your life, explore ways to handle stress, anxiety, and big emotions, and use real techniques to actually improve yourself and your life.
Whether you’re feeling anxious, burned out, lonely, tired of pretending you’re okay, or just over it all, this group is a place to feel heard, supported, and understood (and maybe even have some fun along the way). We are excited to have you here, exactly as you are.
Group Leaders
Grace Santangelo, LAC
Group Leader
Grace, a Licensed Associate Counselor, earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Montclair State University. She specializes in working with preteens, teens, and young adults, providing a safe and supportive space where clients can show up as they are—without judgment or pressure.
Email: gsantangelo@insightpsychgroup.com
Emily Ramos, LPC
Group Leader
Emily Ramos is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and works with children, adolescents, and adults navigating substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, relationship challenges, and stress.
Email: eramos@insightpsychgroup.com
Celine Tardy, LSW
Group Leader
Celine is a Licensed Social Worker who received her Masters from Columbia University School of Social Work and works with children, teens and adults, experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological challenges. She emphasizes creating a safe space for her clients as she compassionately focuses on the client’s individual needs.
Email: ctardy@insightpsychgroup.com
Julia Gordon, LCSW
Group Leader
Julia Gordon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned her Master’s degree from Montclair State University. She has experience working with adolescents and young adults across outpatient and higher levels of care, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and substance use.
Email: jgordon@insightpsychgroup.com
Anya Barrett, BA
Group Leader
Anya is an Advanced Clinical Intern at IPG and is a Master’s candidate at Northwestern University. Her clinical approach is integrative, in that she draws from a variety of counseling theories to support the unique needs of children, adolescents, and adults. She believes that healing happens within a safe, collaborative relationship, grounded in trust, cultural humility, and genuine human connection.
Email: abarrett@insightpsychgroup.com