Friends Groups:
Therapy & Support for
Teens & Young Adults
A safe, welcoming space where youth build confidence, connection, and resilience. Join our upcoming DnD group!
When teens are given space to pause, breathe and reflect with their peers, they discover strength they didn’t know they had.
Group Spotlight:
Dungeons & Dragons
Join certified Therapeutic Dungeon Master, Aaron Sterling, LCSW, for an engaging 12-week campaign of therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons. Participants will work on frustration tolerance, team-building skills, tabletop manners, and peer-to-peer interaction techniques in a friendly and affirming space.
Who: Groups for middle school/high school/young adults
What: 12 sessions of therapeutic Dungeons and Dragons
When: 5-7 Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Where: Fairfax, VA
Friends Groups - Middle School, High School, and Young Adult
For over 25 years, we have facilitated over 5,000 Friends Group in-person sessions where middle school students, high school students and young adults form lasting friendships through the power of group connection. Our group therapists provide support, coaching, and real-life experiences in and out of the office that help clients gain greater self-awareness and self-
confidence. Support groups help build friendship skills, overcome social fears, recover from bullying or isolation, and learn how to be a true friend.
Friends Groups are facilitated by therapists in our Fairfax office who provide a safe space for youth to be themselves without judgment. We do this by providing fun and engaging activities that lead to bonding, enjoyment of others, and facilitate connection.
Our friendship groups are intentionally small and organized by grade and age, ensuring a supportive, close-knit environment with peers at a similar stage of life.
Transition to Middle School Group: 5th and 6th grade
Middle School: 6th – 8th Grade
Early High School: 9th and 10th Grade
Late High School: 11th and 12th
Young Adults: 18 and up
Mindfulness Group Therapy for Young Adults & Adults
This small, supportive group combines mindfulness meditation and group therapy to deepen insight and foster lasting personal growth. Together, we explore how mindfulness can help transform patterns of stress, reactivity, and disconnection into greater calm and clarity.
Who: Groups for middle school/high school/young adults
When: Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 PM
Where: Fairfax, VA
Group Size: 5–6 participants
No meditation experience required—just curiosity and openness.
Contact Us For Group Details
You can use the form below or call us at 703-691-0036.
How Do You Join A Friends Group?
Step 1: Initial Call
A parent or sponsor schedules a short call to learn more about the program and see if it’s a good fit.
Step 2: Matching Interview
The teen meets with a therapist, who helps match them with a group of peers who share similar goals, interests, age, and gender.
Step 3: Join and Grow
Groups meet every other week and can stay as long as the group feels meaningful. Sessions include emotional growth activities, games, shared meals, and outings.
Note: Signing up for a group is simple and flexible—there’s no minimum session commitment, and families pay as they go. While some insurance plans may reimburse part of the cost, coverage can vary.
From Stress to Strength: Group Therapy for Youth
At Friends Group, therapy feels less like a clinical session and more like belonging. What sets us apart is the way connection is built through shared experiences, creative play, and authentic conversation. They run year‑round and allows teens to join when they’re ready and stay as long as the experience feels meaningful.
Who Attends These?
Friends Group is designed for middle and high school students who feel isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed by life’s pressures. It’s also a supportive space for youth who are neurodivergent or navigating challenges with focus, social skills, or self‑esteem.
How Does It Help?
Groups are small, consistent, and led by licensed counselors who create a safe, respectful environment. Sessions may include conversation, creative play, mindfulness, or shared meals—always with the goal of fostering trust and connection.
How Are We Different?
Our sessions focus on real‑life experiences and provide in‑the‑moment feedback and reflection, so growth feels immediate and practical. Connection is always at the center—members build trust, share openly, and support one another in ways that feel authentic.
Neurodivergent Meetups
Our Neurodivergent Meetup Events are designed for young adults in their 20s who want to explore friendship and the possibility of romantic connection in a safe, supportive environment. Every participant is referred by a trusted professional, ensuring that everyone arrives with shared understanding and purpose.
Hosted by our therapists, these events provide real‑time guidance, social tips, and optional feedback afterward. With small groups, structured activities, and a focus on safety, participants can relax, connect, and enjoy authentic interactions.
What makes these events unique is the referral‑only model. Before attending, participants complete a short questionnaire and safety agreement, then join gatherings designed to foster trust, confidence, and meaningful relationships.
Our Goals:
What The Participants Gain
In the Friends Group, youth build skills that support both personal growth and everyday life. Participants will:
Boost self‑esteem through validation and peer support
Reduce isolation by forming meaningful connections
Practice teamwork in everyday situations
Strengthen communication at school, home, and in the community
Rehearse healthy responses to bullying and stress using mindfulness
Express feelings positively and build trust with others
Improve social awareness and learn to “read the room”
Make and keep friends through empathy and shared experiences
More Resources & Activities in Northern VA
Our retreats welcome middle and high school students who feel weighed down by stress, pressure, or constant busyness. It’s a safe, supportive space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves in meaningful ways. Learn more about our retreats.
Aimed at parents of teen boys and young adults, we discuss the common issues and challenges faced by today’s youth, and how to combat those. Read all our blog posts.
Cabush, Paul, & Associates incorporates therapeutic rock climbing to help teens and young men build confidence, trust, and problem-solving skills in an engaging, supportive environment. Learn more about participating in rock climbing.