Building Brave Hearts: How Group Therapy Helps Children Develop Confidence and Emotional Resilience
· Child Therapy · By The CCD Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Lisa R. Savage, LCSW
Discover how Brave Hearts, an 8-week group therapy program, helps children ages 9-12 build confidence, develop coping skills, and master emotional regulation in a supportive peer environment.
Introduction
Childhood is a transformative time—full of growth, discovery, and sometimes, uncertainty. Many children between ages 9 and 12 face challenges that shake their confidence: social anxiety, difficulty managing emotions, struggles with self-worth, or feeling isolated by their experiences.
At the Center for Child Development, we've launched Brave Hearts, an 8-week group program that helps children build confidence, develop practical coping skills, and master emotional regulation—all in a supportive, peer-led environment.
What Is Brave Hearts?
Brave Hearts is a structured, evidence-based group therapy program for children ages 9–12. Over eight weeks, small groups of children meet weekly to learn skills, share experiences, and grow together. The program focuses on three core areas: self-esteem building, coping skills development, and emotional regulation.
The program is facilitated by experienced mental health therapists Riley Feinour and Amy Wierschke, who specialize in child development and understand the unique challenges of this age group.
Why Group Therapy Works
Group therapy is particularly effective for this age group because it addresses a core need: connection. Children learn that others share similar struggles, which reduces shame and isolation. They also benefit from peer modeling—seeing how other children handle challenges and apply new skills.
What Your Child Will Learn
1. Self-Esteem Building
A strong sense of self-worth is the foundation for resilience. Children explore their strengths, values, and unique qualities. They learn to recognize and challenge negative self-talk, and they practice self-compassion.
2. Coping Skills
Children learn techniques like deep breathing, grounding exercises, positive self-talk, problem-solving steps, and emotion regulation strategies.
3. Emotional Regulation
Children learn to identify emotions, understand what triggers them, and develop strategies to respond (rather than react).
Program Details
- Ages: 9–12
- Schedule: Mondays at 3:00 PM
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Start Date: June 22, 2026
- Facilitated by: Riley Feinour & Amy Wierschke
Getting Started
Brave Hearts starts Monday, June 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Spots are limited, so early registration is encouraged.
To register or learn more:
- Call us at 302-292-1334
- Email Amy@thecenterforchilddevelopment.com