Seasons for Growth Children and Young People's Program





Psychology & education working together: psychoeducation

Psychoeducation is not a type of therapy, but rather a specific form of education which helps people learn more about specific events and circumstances that may have occurred in their lives, and the potential range of ways that people respond to them. Seasons for Growth programs help people understand the experiences of change, loss and grief and how these can impact on a person's life. The programs also support the development of communication, decision making and problem solving skills.

Peer Support

The Seasons for Growth programs are peer based. Peer support is the social, instrumental or emotional support that those sharing life challenges or circumstances can provide to each other in reciprocal fashion. This support can be provided in formal or informal contexts.

Why peer support?

People can be healed by finding affiliation within an equal relationship with someone who has had a similar life experience Helping someone can be self-healing People can gain hope that change is possible through a process underscored by mutual sharing of their lived experience.

Person centred learning approach

Seasons for Growth programs use a person centred learning approach. This approach doesn't use specific group processes or position the facilitator (Companion) as the expert, but instead aims to create an environment where participants become aware of their own strengths and resources, and decide on their own solutions. Companions model empathy, understanding and acceptance in the group in order to empower participants to be true partners in learning.

Developmentally appropriate activities

The Seasons for Growth Children and Young People's Program offers four age appropriate levels for children and young people.  This ensures that participants are taking part in a tailored, developmentally appropriate sequence of activities and discussions with like-age peers.

Protective and risk factors in mental health and wellbeing

Research has shown that increasing protective factors, and minimising risk factors (or taking steps to minimise their impact) can promote mental health and wellbeing in children and adults.

Seasons for Growth programs help strengthen the building of personal resilience, coping and social skills, and increasing participants' sense of belonging; while also working to minimise risk factors including social isolation and lack of support networks.




Train to become a Companion



SFG Fact Sheet

Download fact sheets for the Seasons for Growth program suite.