About the program

Exploring Together is a cognitive-behavioural therapy program designed to be used in the classroom or community settings that aim to increase the resilience and happiness of children. 

Program structure

The Exploring Together program is offered to families with children at primary school and pre-school.

Both programs involve families participating in group work over 10 consecutive weeks, plus pre-group and post-group family interviews for assessment, evaluation and feedback. Group work consists of interactive parent/carer-child groups plus separate concurrent groups for children and parents/carers.

Leaders meet with the partner or support person of the parent/carer attending the group twice during the 10-week program. Leaders also meet with the children's teachers on two occasions during this period.

The time commitment for each leader is at least 3 hours per week. This includes preparation time, group time, post-group debriefing and planning. 

Facilitator training

Four leaders are required to run each program (2 for the children's group and 2 for the parents/carers' group). At least 2 of the leaders must have attended Exploring Together Training.

Training is available throughout Australia. Contact the organisation for further details about training availability. 

Cost

2 day training course: $440 per person

Program manual: $85

There will be an additional fee for training held outside of Melbourne to cover travel/accommodation expenses. 

Learn more about the training.

Evaluation and effectiveness

A mixed method evaluation (control group) was undertaken with 106 primary school-aged children and their parents in Victoria. Participation in the program reduced children's externalising behaviours and increased their social skills at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

For a list of further studies see the Exploring Together website.

References

Hemphill, S & Littlefield, L. (2001). Evaluation of a short-term group therapy program for children with behaviour problems and their parents. Behaviour and Research Therapy, 39, 823-841.