Group Programming
Scroll down to view current and upcoming groups for
CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS and YOUNG ADULTS...

At ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, we are proud to offer a unique and highly individualized range of group services. Our programs are constantly updated in order to meet the needs of the community, so please contact us if you are seeking a group format that is not currently listed. Be sure to check back frequently to learn about new and ongoing groups!
Our program targets a variety of skills and ages. We have offered groups for youth ages 3-5 through adulthood. We take great care to screen all group members in order to make sure group composition is conducive to learning for everyone. Community peer mentors are often involved in many of our groups.
Our program targets a variety of skills and ages. We have offered groups for youth ages 3-5 through adulthood. We take great care to screen all group members in order to make sure group composition is conducive to learning for everyone. Community peer mentors are often involved in many of our groups.
Our group facilitators use evidence-based methodology to facilitate therapeutic learning and social growth. Depending on the specific program, emphasis is generally placed on skill development within the following areas:
If you would like additional information please contact us by phone at (631) 923-0923 or email us at info@aspirecenterforlearning.com
- Social thinking and coping
- Emotion regulation frustration tolerance
- Anxiety reduction and mood management
- Self-esteem, self-advocacy and confidence building
- Social relationship skills (e.g., friendships, handling bullying, dating)
- Puberty, sexuality and adolescence
- Planning for and coping with life transitions (college, jobs)
If you would like additional information please contact us by phone at (631) 923-0923 or email us at info@aspirecenterforlearning.com
SUMMER 2017 Group Programming
at ASPIRE Center
at ASPIRE Center
Scroll down for program descriptions and online registration...
GROUPS for CHILDREN and TEENS

Boys-Only Buddies Club
Approximate age range: 7-10 years
Mondays 6:00pm
Starts July 10, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
The Buddies Club is tailored to meet the needs required for navigating the social world as an elementary-aged boy. The structure of this social coping group is geared towards boys who are conversationally verbal but struggle with more complex socialization. A highly individualized approach is constructed based on participants' growth areas, but concepts targeted often encompass social cue detection and interpretation, behavioral regulation, cognitive flexibility, and the process of establishing and maintaining friendships. Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum is integrated with evidence-based psychotherapy approaches (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to promote ongoing progress.
Approximate age range: 7-10 years
Mondays 6:00pm
Starts July 10, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
The Buddies Club is tailored to meet the needs required for navigating the social world as an elementary-aged boy. The structure of this social coping group is geared towards boys who are conversationally verbal but struggle with more complex socialization. A highly individualized approach is constructed based on participants' growth areas, but concepts targeted often encompass social cue detection and interpretation, behavioral regulation, cognitive flexibility, and the process of establishing and maintaining friendships. Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum is integrated with evidence-based psychotherapy approaches (i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to promote ongoing progress.

Girls-Only Friendship Club
Approximate age range: 7-10 years
Mondays 6:00
Starts July 10, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
As girls progress through their elementary school years, even those who are bright, talented, and friendly often encounter new challenges in developing and understanding interpersonal relationships. This group provides a supportive forum for girls to practice strategies for day-to-day management of their increasingly complicated social environment, as well as develop coping skills and self-awareness. Curriculum is modified for each group cycle in order to promote the specific members' strengths while addressing difficulties; however, the use of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) underlies all activities. Although the range of topics covered varies each cycle, areas of emphasis have frequently included detecting nonverbal cues, incorporating flexibility, showing interest, and expressing emotions.
Approximate age range: 7-10 years
Mondays 6:00
Starts July 10, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
As girls progress through their elementary school years, even those who are bright, talented, and friendly often encounter new challenges in developing and understanding interpersonal relationships. This group provides a supportive forum for girls to practice strategies for day-to-day management of their increasingly complicated social environment, as well as develop coping skills and self-awareness. Curriculum is modified for each group cycle in order to promote the specific members' strengths while addressing difficulties; however, the use of evidence-based approaches (e.g., Michelle Garcia Winner's Social Thinking Curriculum, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) underlies all activities. Although the range of topics covered varies each cycle, areas of emphasis have frequently included detecting nonverbal cues, incorporating flexibility, showing interest, and expressing emotions.

Teen Girl-Talk Group
Approximate age range: 13-15 years old
Thursday Evenings 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Starts July 13, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is for young teen girls (approximately 13-15 years old) who want a girls-only group in which they can talk about the issues they experience as they enter adolescence. The aim of this group is to provide girls who maintain reciprocal conversation, but continue to struggle socially, with new opportunities for skill development and generalization, and a chance to talk about being a teen girl. Areas of focus during the course of the cycle are built around the particular growth areas for each group member but may include: friendship-building, navigating dynamics at school, sustaining complex conversations, understanding social safety, and improving self-esteem.
Approximate age range: 13-15 years old
Thursday Evenings 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Starts July 13, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is for young teen girls (approximately 13-15 years old) who want a girls-only group in which they can talk about the issues they experience as they enter adolescence. The aim of this group is to provide girls who maintain reciprocal conversation, but continue to struggle socially, with new opportunities for skill development and generalization, and a chance to talk about being a teen girl. Areas of focus during the course of the cycle are built around the particular growth areas for each group member but may include: friendship-building, navigating dynamics at school, sustaining complex conversations, understanding social safety, and improving self-esteem.

Teen Talk Coed Group
Approximate age range: 14-18 years old
Tuesdays 7:15
Starts July 11, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is geared towards teens who attend high school and can use a "boost" in social navigation during the sticky mid-to-late adolescent years. Participants who will benefit from this group are those who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation but may encounter challenges during interpersonal interactions or struggle to cope with complexities of maintaining relationships, developing age-appropriate independence skills, and dealing with a wide range of emotional experiences. Group curriculum is individualized to most effectively address members' areas of growth and learning; however, topics that have been previously discussed include engagement in balanced conversation, decoding cues in nonverbal and electronic communication, recognizing personal strengths and difficulties, and distinguishing platonic and romantic relationship characteristics.
Approximate age range: 14-18 years old
Tuesdays 7:15
Starts July 11, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is geared towards teens who attend high school and can use a "boost" in social navigation during the sticky mid-to-late adolescent years. Participants who will benefit from this group are those who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation but may encounter challenges during interpersonal interactions or struggle to cope with complexities of maintaining relationships, developing age-appropriate independence skills, and dealing with a wide range of emotional experiences. Group curriculum is individualized to most effectively address members' areas of growth and learning; however, topics that have been previously discussed include engagement in balanced conversation, decoding cues in nonverbal and electronic communication, recognizing personal strengths and difficulties, and distinguishing platonic and romantic relationship characteristics.
GROUPS for YOUNG ADULTS and ADULTS

Chiller and Chattier
Co-Ed Young Adult Group
Tuesdays at 6:00pm
Begins July 11, 2017
Existing Clients: CLICK HERE to complete online registration
This group is geared towards young adults (18-29 years old) who have graduated from high school and can use a "boost" in social navigation during their young adulthood years. Participants who will benefit from this group are those who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation but may encounter challenges during interpersonal interactions or struggle to cope with complexities of maintaining relationships, developing age-appropriate independence skills, and dealing with a wide range of emotional experiences. Group curriculum is individualized to most effectively address members' areas of growth and learning; however, topics that have been previously discussed include engagement in balanced conversation, decoding cues in nonverbal and electronic communication, recognizing personal strengths and difficulties, and distinguishing platonic and romantic relationship characteristics.

Chill n' Chat: Co-Ed Young Adult Group
Approximate age range: 20-30 years
Wednesday Evenings 6:30-7:30 PM
Begins July 12, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is for young men and women who are looking to join a group of supportive peers as they navigate transitioning to the adult world. Participants may be struggling with new experiences in college, work, and other environments, or may be looking to connect socially. CnC is a semi-structured therapy group; topics for discussion will be generated by members during the first meeting. This group is appropriate for young adults who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation with facilitators and peers.
Approximate age range: 20-30 years
Wednesday Evenings 6:30-7:30 PM
Begins July 12, 2017
EXISTING CLIENTS: CLICK FOR REGISTRATION
This group is for young men and women who are looking to join a group of supportive peers as they navigate transitioning to the adult world. Participants may be struggling with new experiences in college, work, and other environments, or may be looking to connect socially. CnC is a semi-structured therapy group; topics for discussion will be generated by members during the first meeting. This group is appropriate for young adults who are able to engage in back-and-forth conversation with facilitators and peers.