Group Therapy Sessions at CDC
Now Taking Expressions of Interest for 2026
| Looking to support your child’s social and emotional development in a fun, inclusive, and evidence-based environment? Canberra Development Clinic is now accepting expressions of interest for our Group Therapy Programs beginning in the second half of 2026. Our psychologists are offering a variety of engaging group options designed to build confidence, connection, and real-world skills:
How to Register your Interest.If you are interested in one or more of our social groups and would like to go on our waitlist, please complete the following form: https://www.jotform.com/build/240457149249866. Please see below for more information about the group therapy sessions offered at CDC.
| Programs and Facilitators Nicholas Catto (Clinical Psychologist)
Melissa Hogan (Registered Psychologist)
Oscar Cunningham (Provisional Psychologist) New to CDC Team
Note: Oscar Cunningham joins CDC as a Provisional Psychologist and will begin running groups in late 2026.
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Group Information
| About Social Skills in the Real World (SSITRW) with Nicholas Catto The Social Skills in the Real World groups are designed to support young people with a range of social and emotional challenges that are often associated with the autism spectrum (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), anxiety, depression and anger management difficulties. The aim of the group is to help improve social skills by creating an opportunity to make friendships in a structured setting with the support of experienced psychologists. The groups are designed to focus on conversation skills, friendship skills, problem solving and resilience building through a mix of in clinic sessions and community-based outings (e.g. laser tag, group dinners, rock climbing, 10 pin bowling). The groups are designed in a way that helps young people learn and practice social skills in a safe and fun environment where they can learn how to have positive conversations, along with fitting in and managing the social and emotional demands of making and keeping friends. The groups are generally suited to young people aged 12 through 16 (Year 6 through to Year 11), with the groups co-facilitated and run by two experienced psychologists. Depending on the nature of the group, they can run for 8 sessions across one school term up to 12 sessions across the school year. This 6-week evidence-based group program is designed to help young people with their social communication and social skills difficulties. During each hour-long group session, participants get the opportunity to practice turn-taking and sharing, following the rules, problem-solving, and collaborating with each other through their love of LEGO based activities. This program has been designed for young people who have:
Please complete the form above if you are interested.
| About LEGO Therapy with Nicholas Catto The LEGO Therapy groups are 6-week evidence-based programs which are designed to help young people with their social communication and social skills difficulties. During each hour-long group session, participants get the opportunity to practice turn-taking and sharing, following the rules, problem-solving, and collaborating with each other through their love of LEGO based activities. This program has been designed for young people who have social and emotional/behavioural challenges and/or may be diagnosed with ASD, AD/HD, and other social communication challenges. LEGO Therapy is a simple and effective way of using a young person’s love of LEGO to help them develop social and communication skills. The main aim is for group participants to build LEGO models together using LEGO bricks taking on three different key roles:
Group participants work together collaboratively with a shared goal of building a LEGO model with the support of an adult facilitating the group. That way, a range of social communication skills are developed by the children taking on the three different clearly defined roles. As you can imagine, working together as a team with a shared goal gives young people participating the opportunity to develop a whole range of key social communication skills including:
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| Art Therapy Holiday Program W/ Melissa Hogan Art group will be made up of 4 – 6 children to help them use creative and non-verbal expression, such as painting, drawing, colouring, and crafts, in a safe and supportive environment to help facilitate social interaction, explore emotions, improve communication skills, and reduce stress and anxiety. The group aims to support continued development of:
These groups run during school holidays. Please indicate your availability for upcoming school holiday periods in the form so we can match you to a suitable group.
| Group Therapy Sessions Oscar Cunningham More information about Oscar’s Social Skills and Dungeons & Dragons groups will be available soon. These proposed groups are planned for the second half of 2026 and will focus on building social skills, collaboration, and confidence in an engaging, interest-based format.
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Next Steps
| Pricing of Social GroupThe prices of social groups do vary depending on the type of group is running at the time. For more information please get in touch with the CDC team. For upcoming social group activities please scroll down. |
current groups opportunities
Social Skills in the Real World | Lego Therapy Social Skills Group |
Holiday Art Therapy Program | Social Skills / Dungeons & Dragons Group |