Pediatric & Adult therapy groups in St. Albert & Edmonton.

Small, supportive groups where children build skills through play—and parents find connection, guidance, and community. Warm, affordable & welcoming.

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Who we Serve

Some of the most meaningful growth happens alongside others. Whether it's a child learning to take turns and make friends, a young communicator practicing their AAC device with a peer, or a parent finally sitting in a room full of people who truly understand—there's something powerful about not doing it alone.

At Ruby Therapy Services, our therapy and support groups are intentionally small and led by qualified clinicians, so every participant gets real attention in a warm, welcoming setting. We serve families throughout St. Albert and Edmonton.

  • A nurturing small-group experience where children build play skills and social skills together—learning to take turns, share, cooperate, and navigate friendships in a supportive setting. Through guided, child-centred play, kids grow in confidence while simply having fun.

    Group Details:

    • Ages: 4–9 (children are placed in small groups by age—for example, a 4–6 group and an older 4–9 group)

    • Time Slots: Multiple slots available—currently 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM. Call for updated schedule and availability.

    • Length & Frequency: 1 hour, weekly

    • Group Size: Small—around 4 children

    • Price: $85 per session

    • Goals: Building play skills and social skills in a supportive small-group setting

    Submit a referral!

  • Fun, hands-on groups designed to build early literacy and reading skills. In a small-group setting, children work on the foundational skills that support confident reading, guided by an SLP and a qualified therapy assistant. Grouped by age band, sessions are engaging and tailored to where each child is in their reading journey.

    Group Details:

    • Ages: Two age bands—ages 6–8 and ages 9–12

    • Length & Frequency: 1 hour, weekly

    • Group Size: Small—around 5 children

    • Price: $55 per session

    Submit a referral!

  • A welcoming, affordable space for parents of autistic children to connect, share, and gain guidance. Parenting a child on the autism spectrum brings unique joys and unique challenges—and there's real strength in sharing the journey with others who truly understand. In this supportive group, you'll find community, practical insight, and a chance to feel heard. This is a brand-new offering, and we'd love for you to be part of it.

    Group Details:

    • For: Parents of children with autism

    • Day: Fridays

    • Time: 6:00 PM

    • Length & Frequency: 1 hour, weekly

    • Price: $7 per session

    • Focus: Connection, peer support, and guidance in a welcoming, judgment-free space

    Submit a referral!

  • A welcoming group for children who use—or are learning to use—AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication). Together with a peer, children practice communicating with their device or system through playful, motivating activities. AAC includes any tool or system that supports communication beyond speech, such as picture boards or speech-generating devices. Practicing alongside another child makes communication feel natural, social, and fun.

    Group Details:

    • Focus: Practicing AAC with a peer through play

    • Day & Time: Currently forming—contact us to express interest

    • Length & Frequency: 1 hour, weekly

    • Price: $85 per session

    • Goals: Building communication and social interaction using AAC in a playful, peer setting

    Status Note: Now forming—contact us to express interest.

Submit a Referral!

Our Approach to Group Therapy

Small & Supportive

We keep our groups intentionally small—from a maximum of 2 to a maximum of 5 children, depending on the group—so every participant is seen, included, and supported. Small groups mean more individual attention, deeper connection, and a setting where children and parents feel safe to be themselves.

Led by Qualified Clinicians

Every group is led by a qualified professional—a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), or a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) working under SLP supervision. You can trust that your child, or you, are in capable, caring hands.

Play-Based & Neurodiversity-Affirming

Children learn best through play, so our children's groups are built around playful, engaging, developmentally appropriate activities. We honour every child's unique way of communicating, connecting, and learning—celebrating strengths and meeting each participant where they are.

Welcoming & Judgment-Free

Whether you're a child making new friends or a parent sharing your story for the first time, our groups are warm, welcoming, and free of judgment. We create spaces where everyone belongs—no perfect parenting, perfect behaviour, or prior experience required.

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Understanding Group Pricing & Funding

  • Our groups are paid per session. Pricing varies by group—our children's groups range from $55 to $85 per session, and our Parent Support Group is just $7 per session. We provide detailed receipts for every session so you have documentation for your records and for any funding submission.

  • Possibly! Many families are able to apply funding toward therapy and support services. We encourage you to check whether your funding—such as FSCD or organizational/third-party funding—can be applied to group sessions. Coverage depends on your specific funding source and approval, so it's always best to confirm directly. Learn more about FSCD funding and third-party funding, and reach out if you have questions.

  • Yes. We provide detailed receipts for every session, which you can submit to your funding source or keep for your own records.

  • Because the clinician's time is shared across a small group, group sessions are typically more affordable than one-on-one care—making professional, clinician-led support more accessible to more families.

Submit a Referral!

Ready to Join a Group?

Whether your child is ready to make new friends, build communication or reading skills, or you're a parent looking for connection and support, there's a place for you here.

Our groups are small, our clinicians are caring, and our doors are open.

Submit a Referral!

FAQ

Ruby Therapy runs small, clinician-led groups that pair real skill-building with the fun and connection of being with peers. Current offerings include:

  • Children's Play Therapy Groups (ages 4–9) — social skills, play skills, and friendship-building in groups of about four
  • Literacy Groups (ages 6–12) — early reading and literacy foundations in small groups, split by age
  • Parent Support Group — connection and guidance for parents of children with autism
  • AAC Play Group — peer practice for children who use communication devices

Each group is led by a qualified clinician. Contact us to see what's currently enrolling.

A community playgroup is an informal, drop-in chance for children to play, usually run by parents or volunteers. A play therapy group is different: it's led by a trained clinician with specific goals — building social skills, emotional regulation, turn-taking, and friendship — using play as the natural language of childhood. The activities look like fun, but each one is chosen on purpose.

The American Academy of Pediatrics describes the power of play for healthy development. Our groups are guided by clinicians from disciplines like occupational therapy and counselling, so the play is also therapeutic.

In a children's social skills group, a small group of peers practises the real-world skills that make friendships work — greeting others, taking turns, sharing, reading body language and tone, handling winning and losing, and managing frustration. A clinician sets up games and activities, coaches in the moment, and gently guides children as challenges come up, so they get to practise the skills rather than just be told about them.

Groups are a powerful complement to individual therapy because skills are learned with peers, where they actually happen. Many children also benefit from social communication support alongside the group.

Our groups are organized by age and goal so children are with peers at a similar stage. The Play Therapy Groups are designed for children ages 4 to 9, when social and play skills develop quickly. The Literacy Groups serve ages 6 to 12, split into younger (6–8) and older (9–12) bands so the reading work fits each child.

Not sure which group is the best fit for your child's age and needs? Reach out and we'll help you choose.

Groups are an affordable way to access clinician-led support because the cost is shared across a small group. Current per-session fees are approximately $85 for the Children's Play Therapy Groups and AAC Play Group, $55 for the Literacy Groups, and just $7 for the Parent Support Group. Each group runs about one hour per week.

Some extended health plans and funding programs may help offset the cost — check with us and your provider. Contact us for current pricing and enrolment.

Yes. Our Literacy Groups support children ages 6 to 12 in building strong reading and early-literacy foundations — phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, and comprehension — in small groups of about five, divided into 6–8 and 9–12 age bands. A small group lets children learn alongside peers while still getting targeted, level-appropriate support.

For children who need more individualized help, our one-on-one literacy support can run alongside or instead of the group.

An AAC play group brings together children who use — or are learning to use — augmentative and alternative communication, from picture boards to speech-generating devices, to practise communicating with peers in a fun, low-pressure setting. AAC includes all the ways someone communicates besides talking, and like any language, it grows with real social practice.

The group is guided by clinicians and complements individual AAC and speech therapy. It's currently forming — let us know if you'd like your child included.

Yes. Our Parent Support Group is a warm, judgment-free space for parents of children with autism to connect, share, and find guidance from others who truly understand. Parenting is easier when you're not doing it alone, and peer support can be just as valuable as professional advice. The group meets weekly for about an hour.

It pairs naturally with our other services, from autism assessment to children's counselling. Contact us for the current schedule.

A group can help when a child is working harder than their peers at the social, communication, or learning skills others seem to pick up more easily — for example, difficulty making or keeping friends, trouble taking turns or managing frustration, limited play skills, or falling behind in early reading. In younger children, persistently limited words, little interest in other children, or not responding to their name are worth checking.

For younger children, the CDC's early developmental milestones are a helpful reference. If you're unsure, a quick conversation — or a developmental or autism assessment — can point you to the right support.

Enrolling is simple: contact us and we'll match your child to a group that fits their age and goals, and let you know what's currently running or forming. Group sizes are kept small, so spots are limited.

Cost may be offset through extended health benefits or, for eligible families, FSCD funding — the FSCD program explains eligibility. We're glad to help you sort out the details.

Yes. Our groups serve families throughout Edmonton, St. Albert, and the surrounding communities — including Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, and Morinville. Sessions are held at our St. Albert clinic at 7 St Anne St #104, just minutes from northwest Edmonton.

Groups are intentionally small and local, so children build familiarity with the same peers each week. Contact us to find a group that fits.

Our children's groups run in person at the St. Albert clinic, because the social practice and peer connection work best face to face. Families across the greater Edmonton area are warmly welcome.

If you live further away in Alberta, our individual speech therapy, occupational therapy, and counselling are available through secure virtual sessions province-wide. Ask us what would suit your family best.

Ruby Therapy Services is located at 7 St Anne St #104, St. Albert, AB, minutes from northwest Edmonton, where our therapy and support groups are held. We welcome families from St. Albert, Edmonton, and across the surrounding region.

To join a group or ask what's currently enrolling, contact us or call (587) 410-9791.