SOCIAL SKILLS PROGRAMMING
At Creative Therapy Associates, we offer a variety of skill-building services with a focus on strengthening emerging skills and teaching new skills to children and youth. Social skills training involves following a guided curriculum to teach a set of common goals in which children and youth will be working towards. Parents and families will be provided with a written schedule detailing lesson goals, teaching strategies and visual supports to ensure skills are transferred to home and school environments.
Through group training children and youth can expect to expand their skill development in any of the following areas:
- Relationship Building
- School Readiness
- Mindfulness
- Self-Regulation
- Social Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Teenage Years: Hygiene, Puberty, Dating
- Independent Living Skills
AIM (Accept. Identify. Move.)
Format: Goup or individual (in person or online)
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
AIM is an evidence-based social–emotional curriculum that blends mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). It is designed to help children and youth build self-awareness, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking skills.
Through structured lessons, role-play, and engaging activities, participants learn to:
- Accept and manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
- Identify personal values and set meaningful goals.
- Move towards positive behaviour changes that align with their values.
The program provides practical tools for social–emotional growth, such as:
- Understanding and diffusing difficult thoughts.
- Building awareness of emotions and their impact.
- Setting goals to make positive changes.
- Developing coping strategies for everyday challenges.
AIM supports children in strengthening resilience, independence, and social success while giving families and educators a framework to encourage ongoing practice beyond the group.
Zones: Learning to Regulate
Format: Goup or individual (in person or online)
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
Zones is a structured program that helps children build emotional awareness and self-regulation skills. Using simple, colour-coded “zones,” kids learn to recognize their feelings, understand their energy levels, and choose strategies to help them stay calm, focused, and ready to learn.
Through games, group discussions, and hands-on activities, participants practice:
Identifying emotions in themselves and others.
Matching feelings to the correct “zone.”
Using strategies to move between zones in healthy ways.
Building confidence in managing big emotions and social situations.
The Zones program gives children practical tools they can use every day at home, at school, and with friends to improve self-control, problem-solving, and social success.
Social Skills
Format: Goup or individual (in person or online)
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
PEERS is an evidence-based social skills program that helps children and teens learn how to make and keep friends. Through group activities, role-play, and real-world practice, participants build confidence in conversations, teamwork, and social problem-solving.
In this program, children will practice:
Starting and maintaining conversations.
Making and keeping friendships.
Handling teasing, bullying, and disagreements.
Building confidence in group and community settings.
PEERS gives kids the tools they need to succeed socially at home, at school, and with friends.
Steps to Success: School Readiness
Format: Goup
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 3 hours per week
*Daytime program, 1 session per week minimum enrollment required
Cost: $95 per 3 hour session (please email if your child requires 1:1 support)
Availability: Morning or afternoon sessions
Our School Readiness Program is designed to prepare children for a successful transition into the classroom by building the essential skills needed for learning, independence, and social participation. The program structure was created by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Teachers, a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA), Occupational Therapists (OTs), and Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). This collaborative design ensures each child receives a well-rounded, individualized learning experience that supports their success.
During the program, children will:
- Develop early academic skills such as pre-literacy, pre-math, and group learning routines.
- Build communication
- Build social skills, including sharing, turn-taking, and following instructions.
- Strengthen fine and gross motor skills to support school tasks.
- Practice self-help skills and increasing independence.
- Receive additional practice opportunities tailored to developing their school readiness skills.
This multidisciplinary developed program is carefully planned program provides children with the tools and confidence they need to feel ready for school, while giving families peace of mind that their child is supported in every area of development.
Building Connections
Format: Goup
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
Game Changers is a social skills group designed to help children and teens build meaningful friendships while learning important social and emotional skills in a fun, engaging environment. Using interactive games, group activities, and guided practice, participants work on developing the tools they need to feel confident and successful in social situations.
In this program, children will:
- Practice reading social cues and responding appropriately.
- Learn strategies for starting and maintaining conversations.
- Develop teamwork skills through cooperative games and challenges.
- Build confidence in managing frustration, turn-taking, and problem-solving.
- Strengthen friendships by practicing kindness, flexibility, and perspective-taking.
Game Changers provides children with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in a safe and supportive setting while transferring these skills into everyday life at school, home, and in the community.
Connect. Learn. Grow.
Format: Goup
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
Creative Corner is a fun and engaging group that helps children and youth build social skills and emotional expression through art and creative activities. Using hands-on projects like painting, crafting, and design, participants learn how to share ideas, take turns, and work together while expressing themselves in meaningful ways.
In this program, children and youth will:
- Strengthen communication and social interaction skills.
- Practice patience, flexibility, and teamwork through group projects.
- Build confidence and self-expression
- Learn to manage emotions and adapt to challenges in a supportive environment.
Creative Corner gives participants a chance to connect with peers, express themselves, and grow socially while having fun with art.
Explore. Expand. Learn.
Format: Goup
Program Length: 12 weeks
Session Length: 1.5 hours per week
*Evening groups
Build & Discover is a group program for children and youth that combines hands-on activities, creative projects, and elements of science, technology, engineering, and math to make learning fun and engaging. Each session encourages children to explore new ideas, work together, and discover their strengths while completing exciting challenges and projects.
The program is designed to support both social and emotional development. Participants practice teamwork, communication, and problem-solving while also learning strategies for managing frustration, adapting to change, and building confidence. Children and youth are guided to set goals, share their ideas, and celebrate achievements in a supportive group environment.
Through Build & Discover, children and youth will:
- Strengthen collaboration and teamwork skills
- Build confidence through creative problem-solving
- Improve flexibility and adaptability in new situations
- Develop emotional regulation strategies
- Devleop the skills to increase communication and peer connections
Experience success while working toward personal and group goals