# Group Therapy vs Social Skills Training for Children Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-group-therapy-and-social-skills-training-for-children Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Group therapy and social skills training both happen in small groups, but they work differently. Group therapy uses the group relationships themselves as the healing space, building emotional wellbeing, confidence and belonging. Social skills training is more structured coaching that directly teaches specific abilities — turn-taking, reading expressions, starting conversations — through modelling, role-play and feedback. Group therapy works through relationships; social skills training works on the skills that make relationships possible, and many children benefit from both. *Both bring children together in a room — but one heals through connection, and the other coaches the social moves that make connection easier.* ## In short **Group therapy** and **social skills training** both happen in small groups, but they aim at different things. Group therapy uses the *group itself* as the healing space — children share, play, and respond to one another, and a therapist guides those moments to build confidence, emotional regulation and a sense of belonging. **Social skills training** is more like a structured coaching class: it directly teaches specific abilities — taking turns, reading facial expressions, starting a conversation, handling losing a game — through modelling, practice and feedback. In short: group therapy works *through* relationships; social skills training works *on* the skills that make relationships possible. ## How they differ in everyday practice In **group therapy**, the goal is often broader — emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, processing big feelings, or feeling less alone. The therapist watches how children naturally interact and gently uses real, in-the-moment situations (a disagreement over a toy, a shy child finding their voice) as the work itself. Progress looks like a calmer, more connected, more confident child. In **social skills training**, the goal is specific and teachable. A session might target one skill at a time — for example *how to join a group of children who are already playing* — broken into clear steps, demonstrated, rehearsed through role-play, and reinforced with warm feedback. It is especially helpful for children who want to connect but find the unwritten 'rules' of friendship genuinely puzzling. The two often overlap and complement each other beautifully. Many children do both: social skills training builds the toolkit, and group settings give a safe place to practise it with real friends. ## How to choose If your child seems emotionally overwhelmed, withdrawn or struggling with self-esteem, group therapy may help most. If your child is keen to make friends but misses social cues, talks over others, or finds turn-taking and conversation tricky, social skills training is often the better fit. A clinician will match the approach — or blend both — to your individual child after a proper look. ## The Pinnacle way This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care, never from an app or form. Our team observes how your child connects, communicates and copes, then recommends the right blend — drawing on [behavioural therapy](/behavioural-therapy) and structured social-skills support, with [speech therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) where conversation and language are part of the picture. Explore more across our [services](/). ## Trusted sources The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association on social communication and pragmatic skills; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on supporting children's social and emotional development. **Next step —** Not sure which fits your child? Book a developmental screening and let a clinician match the right approach to your child's strengths and needs. ## Sources - ASHA — social communication and pragmatic skills: https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/social-communication-disorders-in-school-age-children/ - HealthyChildren (AAP) — social and emotional development: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/Pages/default.aspx ## Connected topics and perspectives - Therapies: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/therapies - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social - Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Behaviour Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/behaviour-therapy - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - Group therapy vs social skills training: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-my-child-have-group-therapy-or-social-skills-training - Social Skills Training vs Play Therapy for Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-social-skills-training-and-play-therapy-for-children - Social Skills Training vs Play Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-my-child-have-social-skills-training-or-play-therapy - How does group therapy help a child develop?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-group-therapy-help-a-child-develop - What is social skills training?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-social-skills-training ### Explore therapy & support - Is social skills training one-on-one or in a group?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-social-skills-training-usually-one-on-one-or-in-a-group