Do you have a hard time making mistakes?
Does THAT sometimes make it hard to try new things?
Do you like to play games, make art and eat snacks?
Parents, does this sound like your kiddo?!
This theraplay group helps kids foster self-acceptance and understanding for mess ups. These are essential components of resilience and connectedness to both self and others. Through play, kiddos will build skills to repair & reconnect (with themselves and with others) after making mistakes, all while having fun doing this!
Therapist Jess Quaranto, LCPC masterfully uses play therapy techniques to support co-regulation and therefore self-regulation. And since messing up is the goal, this group has less of a “lesson plan” feel and more of a “embracing fluidity” vibe to it!
Together we’ll have fun, make messes, mess up, ask for help and even (gasp!) celebrate when we FAIL!
How do I know if this group is right for my kiddo?
Every kid responds to struggles and failures differently. If you experience any of these these signs on a frequent basis, chances are your kiddo would benefit from this experience!
- They get easily overwhelmed or upset when they make mistakes
- They worry about getting things just right, which can take up both time and energy
- They either struggle with, or completely avoid, trying something new for fear that they won’t be any good at it
- After hurting someone (whether by accident or intentionally), they have a hard time reconnecting and either avoid or over apologize to either extreme
What Topics Will Be Covered in the How to Fail Group?
This group isn’t about strict lesson plans, it’s about creating space for kids to try, tumble, and learn. Each week has a simple theme that guides our play and helps kids explore important life skills in a fun, low-pressure way:
- Week 1: The “art” of making mistakes
- Week 2: How to “transform” mistakes
- Week 3: How to fail (and play) together
- Week 4: How to “repair” after mistake
FAQs about the How to Fail Group
What Ages are Appropriate for this Group? Generally speaking this group is geared towards kiddos ages 8-11. However there is some flexibility here. Please inquire if you are interested. If you have a teenager struggling with perfectionism, rigid-thinking, or fear of failure, you may want to explore our RO-DBT class, which targets similar goals.
When Does the Group Meet? This is a four week play therapy group that meets on Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM.
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| October 4, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM |
| October 11, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM |
| October 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM |
| October 25, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM |
Where Does the Group Meet? This group meets in-person at the MCCC Office. On nice weather days, group may be held outside. On not-so-nice weather days, we meet in either our big conference room or one of our larger therapy rooms, depending on the size of the cohort.
When Can I Register for the Group? This is a closed group format. This means all participants must enroll before the start day so that the entire group starts and ends together.
What’s the Commitment? If you enroll in this group, you are committing to attend all 4 sessions. Please let us know if there are any extenuating circumstances to this prior to your enrollment.
What’s the Investment? The cost of the group is $250 for the entire 4-week experience. Payment in full is due at the time of enrollment. Upon the conclusion of the group, you’ll receive a superbill which you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement if eligible for out of network coverage.
Enroll Today in Our How to Fail Group!
To register for the group, please follow these steps:
- Submit an inquiry through our online form to let us know that you are interested!
- Connect with our intake specialist to learn about your kiddo. If applicable, they will ask permission to speak with their individual therapist, too.
- Complete your registration paperwork online through our electronic client portal.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email once your spot is secured and a welcome email just before the first group session!
Not Quite the Right Fit? We Have Other Great Options in Rockville, Maryland!
If your child struggles with perfectionism or rigidity sound more like what we described, but they’re a bit older, RO-DBT might be a better fit. This therapeutic approach is designed specifically for teens and adults who experience challenges with emotional over-control, social connection, and self-criticism, all of which can create barriers in their relationships with themselves and those around them.
Looking for something more individualized? We also offer one-on-one child therapy and parent coaching to support your family’s unique needs. Our Maryland-based therapy center provides a wide range of services to help you find the right path forward, whatever that may look like for your family.
Join our Mailing List…
… for updates about play therapy, future groups and skills classes for children, and other helpful information on mental health and wellbeing!