A place where teens don’t have to do it alone

Many teens feel like they’re the only one struggling—even when they’re surrounded by people.

This group helps teens experience something different:

• real connection

• shared understanding

• support from peers

• more confidence socially and emotionally

• a steady place to talk openly and feel less alone

Belonging isn’t about fixing your teen.
It’s about helping them feel more secure in who they are—and more capable of handling what life brings.

What is a teen process group?

A teen process group is a therapy group where the focus is on what’s real and present in a teen’s life—week to week.

There’s no set curriculum and no pressure to “say the right thing.”

Instead, teens are invited to talk about what’s actually on their mind, such as:

• friendships

• school stress

• family dynamics

• identity questions

• anxiety or overthinking

• feeling down, numb, or overwhelmed

• social confidence and belonging

• transitions and growing up

Over time, the group becomes a place where teens practice:

• expressing emotions

• learning how they come across to others

• giving and receiving support

• being more honest and authentic in relationships

Common reasons teens join Belonging

Teens often join when they’re experiencing:

• difficulty making or keeping friends

• social anxiety or feeling “different”

• stress, burnout, or perfectionism

• depression or low motivation

• self-esteem or confidence struggles

• identity development and feeling unsure of where they fit

• challenges in family relationships

• a desire to feel more connected and understood

Your teen doesn’t need a “big reason” to join.
If they’re feeling alone, stuck, or disconnected—this group can help.

How group therapy helps teens

Group therapy offers something individual therapy can’t always provide:

1) Real connection

Teens get to experience what it’s like to be with peers who are also trying to figure things out.

2) “I’m not the only one”

It’s deeply relieving for teens to learn they’re not alone in what they feel, think, or struggle with.

3) Growth in real time

Because relationships happen in the room, teens can learn about:

• how they relate to others

• what they avoid

• what they want

• how to speak up

• how to build healthier friendships and boundaries

All in a supportive environment where they can practice, not perform.

What if my teen feels uncomfortable sharing?

That’s completely normal.

Most teens feel nervous at first—and there is no pressure to share before they’re ready.

Teens can still benefit by:

• showing up

• listening

• getting familiar with the group

• talking when it feels safe

Often, confidence builds naturally as trust develops over the first few sessions.

Day & Time: Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 PM

Cost: $80 per session

Location: Carlsbad Village (2564 State St, Suite B, Carlsbad, CA 92008)

Type: Interpersonal process group (open & ongoing)

Members: Maximum of eight participants, minimum of three. Ages 14-18

Led by: Julia Avila, PhD

Minimum commitment two months (to build trust and momentum)

Meet the Group Leader

Julia Avila, PhD is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Carlsbad. She works with adolescents and young adults navigating a wide range of concerns, including life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, anxiety, depression, and personal growth.

Julia has extensive experience facilitating adolescent therapy groups and is passionate about how group process helps teens feel understood, supported, and more confident as they move through the challenges of adolescence.

(Dr. Avila is also accepting new individual psychotherapy clients in Carlsbad and via telehealth throughout California.)

Frequently Asked Questions about Teen Process Groups

What makes a Process Group different from skills-based therapy like CBT?

While many therapeutic approaches focus on teaching specific coping tools or using worksheets, a Process Group is experiential. It prioritizes the "here-and-now" interactions between members. For high school students, this means moving beyond just talking about problems and instead practicing new ways of relating to others in a live, supervised social environment.

Why is a group setting often better for teens than individual sessions?

Many adolescents feel "under the microscope" in one-on-one therapy. A group dynamic shifts that energy, acting as a social laboratory where they can see their own struggles mirrored in their peers. It’s particularly effective for breaking the cycle of isolation; hearing a peer say "I feel that too" often carries more weight for a teenager than a therapist's clinical observation.

Do you accept students from local North County high schools?

Our practice is a regular resource for families within the Carlsbad Unified and San Dieguito school districts. We often support students from Carlsbad High, Sage Creek, La Costa Canyon, San Dieguito Academy, Pacific Ridge School, and other nearby campuses who are looking for a confidential space to navigate the unique social and academic pressures of our community.

What are the primary goals for students in this group?

We focus on helping teens (ages 14–18) develop higher emotional intelligence and authentic communication. The goal is for members to build the confidence to put down their "social armor" and develop more meaningful, honest friendships. This is especially helpful for those navigating identity formation, social anxiety, or the transition toward life after graduation.

How is confidentiality handled when members attend the same school?

Confidentiality is the most vital part of our group contract. We are highly intentional about group composition. Before any student joins, we conduct a screening to ensure the dynamic is safe and that members can share openly without fear of their private reflections overlapping with their daily social lives on campus.