Social Skills Programs: LUNCH Groups® is designed to help children and adults improve their social competency and function more effectively at school, work, and in the community.
It was was developed by Dr. Bruce Gale, a San Fernando Valley-based clinical psychologist to address problems with social skills and executive functioning challenges which can affect academic and vocational performance. Social skills are those behaviors we engage in daily to get along with others. Executive functioning skills include the ability to control our emotions, pay attention, plan and organize our behavior, monitor performance, and to develop new plans and strategies to effectively problem-solve.
The focus of treatment in general is to create an enjoyable, stimulating, and motivating environment where students and adults can learn about and have opportunities for practicing a variety of positive behaviors.
It was was developed by Dr. Bruce Gale, a San Fernando Valley-based clinical psychologist to address problems with social skills and executive functioning challenges which can affect academic and vocational performance. Social skills are those behaviors we engage in daily to get along with others. Executive functioning skills include the ability to control our emotions, pay attention, plan and organize our behavior, monitor performance, and to develop new plans and strategies to effectively problem-solve.
The focus of treatment in general is to create an enjoyable, stimulating, and motivating environment where students and adults can learn about and have opportunities for practicing a variety of positive behaviors.
Past attendees have worked on the following types of problems:
- Difficulty socializing effectively with peers
- Difficulty managing changes in routines
- Excessive worries, fears, or rigidity that interfere with daily functioning
- Trouble managing impulses or anger
- Challenges with shyness
- Inability to make and keep friends
- Avoidance of new foods or reluctance to try new activities
- Trouble coping with minor, everyday problems
- Overreacting to minor events
- Difficulty maintaining interesting conversations with others
- Problems maintaining pedestrian safety
- Difficulty staying organized and procrastination
- Staying up too late or arriving at school or to work late
- Forgetting or losing things, needing constant reminders to complete chores
- Refusal to complete activities or follow directions the first time they are given
Student Programs
The Student Programs meet at
Dr. Gale's Encino office next door to Gelsons Market
We accept up to 16 individuals per session. Students attend the program twice monthly for 2.5 hours each session. During the School Year Program, approximately 65 to 75 minutes are spent in the office followed by going out to eat or having a group BBQ in the outdoor courtyard of the building (typically in the Spring). Families drop off their children at Gelson's, next door and pick up in the same place.
Adult Programs
The Adult Programs meet at Wahoo's restaurant in West Los Angeles
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For more information about signing up your child, send us an email or call at 818-788-2100 x2. Also, you can visit our main site at www.lunchgroups.com