At Tillamook Family Counseling Center (TFCC), the counseling groups led by Maria Bateman and Sarina Coello provide essential mental health support for children and teens in the community. Sarina Coello, LCSW, brings an extensive background of group counseling experience, having worked in schools, inpatient behavioral health, and correctional facilities. Maria Bateman, a recent MSW graduate, is passionate about prevention and serving youth and families in rural areas. Together, they currently lead four groups that focus on mindfulness, self-esteem, and social skills, offering young participants a safe space to explore their emotions, build confidence, and develop meaningful connections with peers.
Why Group Counseling for Youth?
Group counseling offers a unique setting where young participants can benefit from peer support, normalize their experiences, and de-stigmatize mental health challenges. “Group therapy is so valuable for young people,” explained Maria. “Teens can be very self-conscious, but in a group setting, they find a sense of community and normalization that they don’t always get one-on-one.”
Maria highlighted the developmental stage between ages 10 and 18 when peer influence becomes especially significant. “Teens are in that phase where they push back against authority. What might sound like nonsense from an adult can feel like a solution coming from a peer. Group counseling builds self-confidence and offers the opportunity to both give and receive support.” The group environment can be transformative, allowing participants to see their challenges mirrored in others and feel less isolated in their experiences. The social aspect is a critical component, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.
What Groups are Available at TFCC?
TFCC currently offers four counseling groups for youth, each tailored to a different age group. Some of the groups are closed meaning once it begins, the same participants are part of the group throughout the full 8 weeks. Other groups are open, allowing youth to come and go as their schedule allows. “The closed groups allow us to really dive deep into the curriculum and track progress,” explained Sarina. “But the open teen group gives that crucial flexibility – we know teens’ schedules can be unpredictable, and we want to be there for them whenever they need support.”
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Mindfulness (Ages 12/13)
Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00 PM | August 28 – October 16, 2024
Led by Maria, the goal of this group is to help children who are in pre-teenage developmental stages build a toolbox of skills that are age-appropriate, healthy, and accessible to them during times of stress and interpersonal conflict. “It’s a pivotal age for developing these skills, especially as they transition to middle school,” Maria shared. Older participants in the group often serve as mentors, creating a supportive environment for younger peers. -
Self-Esteem (Ages 9/10)
Mondays, 4:00-5:00 PM | August 26 – October 21, 2024
Led by Sarina, this group focuses on helping children develop confidence and positive self-concepts. Sarina explained that activities like discussing relational aggression and creating visual projects help participants navigate friendships, conflict, and peer pressure. “We do activities such as the ‘Dirty Laundry’ exercise, where kids learn to recognize acceptable and unacceptable conversation topics as a way to reduce rumors and gossip,” she explained. -
Social Skills (Ages 5/6)
Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM | August 28 – October 16, 2024
Sarina leads this closed group, which teaches foundational social skills such as active listening, teamwork, conflict resolution, and kindness. “For this age group, we focus on social emotional learning skills; the basics of making friends and resolving conflicts,” Sarina said. A parent support group, led by Terri Syverson, TFCC Associate Director Clinical Services, runs concurrently, allowing parents and caregivers to engage in the process and connect with other parents and caregivers. -
Teen Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group
This group (which will soon be called Teen Solution-Focused Brief Therapy) is led by Maria and has a rolling curriculum. This group is open to ages 13-17 and has proven to be a great support to participants, noting that several participants who had previously engaged with TFCC crisis have not re-engaged since joining the group and regularly attending.
The Power of Peer Connection
Both Maria and Sarina emphasized the powerful peer-to-peer dynamics that emerge in the groups. Maria noted how older participants in the mindfulness group often serve as role models. “Seeing the older kids mentor younger participants is amazing. It gives them a confidence boost and creates a supportive environment.” Similarly, Sarina reflected on the success of her social skills and empowerment groups having previously led them in a school setting. “Teachers saw big differences in how kids were applying the skills from the group. They were choosing their friends carefully, avoiding gossip, and using conflict resolution skills.”
How to Get Involved
Parents or guardians interested in enrolling their children can contact TFCC directly. “We start with a behavioral health assessment to develop a treatment plan, and from there, they can participate in group therapy,” Sarina explained. Participants don’t need to be seeing a counselor
individually at TFCC to join the groups, making this a flexible option for families seeking specific support.
About Maria and Sarina
Both Maria and Sarina bring valuable and diverse experiences to their roles. Maria, a recent MSW graduate, previously worked as a program director at TFCC’s child abuse center and is inspired by a passion for supporting youth and families in underserved rural areas. Sarina is a traveling social worker with an extensive background, from inpatient behavioral health to school-based roles, driven by a deep commitment to ensuring children’s basic needs are met. She’s passionate about addressing food insecurity, having previously established a school food pantry that fed over 100 families.
What unites them is a genuine joy in working with young people. “I just enjoy being with the kids,” said Sarina. For Maria, it’s the opportunity to see youth in a more dynamic, group setting that she finds most rewarding. “They teach me so much,” she said. In their personal lives, Maria enjoys spending time with her fiancé, as well as hobbies like berry picking and jam making, while Sarina’s horse provides a source of balance and self-care.
The youth counseling groups at TFCC are spaces where young people can grow, connect, and thrive. Whether building self-esteem, practicing mindfulness, or learning social skills, participants leave these groups with tools they can carry into their daily lives. With their complementary skill sets and dedication, Maria and Sarina are making a profound impact on the lives of Tillamook’s youth. For more information or to enroll your child in one of the upcoming groups, contact TFCC at (503) 842-8201 or go to www.tfcc.org
