Mystery Brave Book Club
Level 3 Group
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What is Mystery Brave Book Club?
Children with selective mutism, social anxiety, or other anxieties learn about coping with anxiety through age-appropriate books while also practicing whole-group responding (similar to school instruction time) opening the pathway for raising their hands to answer in school during reading time and other whole-class activities. Having a “Mystery Reader” not only adds to the fun, but also allows for testing limits with responding to an unfamiliar person. The therapeutic goals include decreasing avoidance, increasing verbal interaction, increasing raising hand to initiate responses, and generalizing treatment gains into the school setting.
Mystery Brave Book Club is an open, flexible group where participants can choose the dates they’d like to attend. It’s ideal for children who need more practice with whole-group responding. Those looking to build confidence can attend weekly, while others needing booster sessions to maintain their progress can select specific dates that work best for them. This structure provides a supportive, customizable approach to support and maintain treatment gains within a group setting.
Prerequisites
Mystery Brave Book Club is one of ATSA's more advanced groups (Level 3) for selective mutism. The group is designed to continue to foster the generalization of whole-group verbal responding with familiar and unfamiliar peers and adults. This group is intended for children who have received outpatient individual therapy and have reached the goal of responding directly and consistently to their primary therapist. Children must also demonstrate the ability to respond to the group therapist during the session, and it is possible that there will be several group therapists present. Previous experience in group therapy (e.g., successfully participated in Come Play, Social Thinking, Social Exposures Group, Adventure Camp, etc.) is also an indicator of readiness for this group. Therefore, this group is appropriate for children who are ready for the next level of group exposures or who can benefit from specific whole-group responding activities to help maintain treatment gains.
The prerequisites are as follows:
- Must have completed sessions at ATSA within the last three months, including at least one peer session (1:1 Child to Therapist ratio) or group session (1:3 Child to Therapist ratio).
- Demonstrates the ability to separate from parent and enter group room independently.
- Demonstrates the ability to respond directly to Group Therapist in the presence of peers.
- Demonstrates the ability to interact verbally with limited assistance by the Group Facilitator.
Readiness for this group can also be demonstrated by the following:
- Has participated in Adventure Camp or Winter Adventure.
- Has participated in Social Exposures Group or Social Thinking Group at ATSA.
What to Expect - Open One-Hour Group Sessions
Mystery Brave Book Club is designed to be a flexible, open, ongoing group. You can select the dates you'd like your child to attend. The dates offered are listed per month. If you have any problems with registering, call the Intake Coordinators at 630-230-6505 and they can register your child over the phone, or contact them via email at info@advancedtherapeuticsolutions.org.
Fees
Group sessions are billed at $105.00 per session. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the session, you will be refunded for the full session less a $25 administrative fee. The fee is non-refundable after the group session begins. To cancel, call 630-230-6505. Insurance CPT code is 90853. Statements will be provided to those who wish to submit to their insurance for reimbursement.
When 2024-2025
Thursdays 4pm - 5pm & Saturdays 2pm - 3pm
Mystery Brave Book Club is designed to be a flexible, open, ongoing group. You don't have to commit to a series of sessions. You can select the dates you'd like your child to attend.
NOVEMBER Mystery Brave Book Club, Thursdays, 4pm-5pm
7th, 14th, 21st
DECEMBER Mystery Brave Book Club, Thursdays, 4pm-5pm
5th, 12th, 19th
JANUARY Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2pm-3pm
25th
FEBRUARY Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2pm-3pm
1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
MARCH Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2pm-3pm
1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
APRIL Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2-3pm
5th, 12th, 19th
MAY Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2-3pm
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st
JUNE Mystery Brave Book Club, Saturdays, 2-3pm
7th, 21st
Where
ATSA Group Room, 600 W 22nd St., Suite 250, Oak Brook, IL 60523
If you are not sure if your child meets the prerequisites for this group, talk it over with your child's therapist. If it has been over three months since your child has been in treatment at ATSA, then a refresher session may be necessary to reacquaint your child.
If it has been over six months since your child has been in treatment at ATSA, your child will need to complete a re-evaluation. If your child has never received treatment at ATSA, and you think this group is ideal for your child's needs, please contact ATSA at 630-230-6505 to set up an intake evaluation or click here to request an appointment.