Teen Boys Support Group in Woodland Hills
Helping high school boys build confidence, connection, and emotional resilience in a supportive peer group
The Guys’ Group is a weekly in-person support group for high school boys who need more confidence, more social support, and a place where they can actually be real. Led by Kent Toussaint, LMFT, this group helps teen boys build social confidence, emotional awareness, and stronger friendships through honest conversation, humor, and real support. It meets Wednesday evenings at 7pm at Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills and is designed for families looking for a thoughtful, high-quality teen boys therapy group close to home.
If you are wondering whether your son would feel comfortable here, that is the right question to ask. Kent is happy to talk with parents, answer questions, and help you decide whether this support group feels like the right next step for your son.
I've been running the High School Guys group for almost 14 years now. So many of my clients at
the time were these teenage boys who were struggling with self -esteem, not getting the social
support they needed. And so I started the group to create that space where at least once a week
these guys come, meet with other guys, be accepted, and accept others. I love doing the Guys
group. First of all, it's a lot of fun for me, it's a lot of fun for them, and I really enjoy watching
the growth in these guys where they transition from these shy, meek boys to some of them eventually
transitioning to becoming leaders in the group and eventually having that confidence in the
rest of their lives
A Place Where Teen Boys Can Be Real
Honest Conversation, Not Forced Sharing
This is not a stiff, lecture-style group. Kent’s approach creates what he calls a “brave place,” where no topic is out of bounds and boys can talk about the things they would not usually say out loud. When awkward, uncomfortable, or charged moments come up, the group does not run from them. It works through them, which is often where emotional intelligence and real growth get built.
Connection Without a Screen
Some boys are bright, funny, and capable, but still struggle to connect face-to-face with other guys their age. The Guys’ Group gives them a real place to do that. Week after week, they build connection, practice the social skills teens actually need, and learn that they are not the only ones figuring this stuff out. That combination of peer connection and guided support is one of the clearest strengths of the group.
What Happens in The Guys’ Group
Humor Helps Teen Boys Open Up
Teen boys often connect through humor first. That matters. Even when the topics are heavy, laughter helps them relax, feel more agency, and start talking more honestly. Group therapy can be meaningful and still be fun, and this group makes room for both.
Respect, Inclusion, and Real Peer Growth
The group is built to help boys welcome new members, say what they appreciate, and notice when cliques or “cool-kid” dynamics start forming. That is how the culture stays respectful and inclusive. Over time, boys practice empathy, confidence, accountability, and how to disagree without disconnecting. They are not just talking about relationships; they are working on them in real time.
If your son needs more support, stronger friendships, or more confidence in social situations, reach out to ask whether there are current openings in the group.
So the guys group has been going on for over 16 years now, and there have been so many success stories. One that jumps to my mind is this kid who came in as a freshman and was shy and just would never talk. He wanted to be there. He just would not talk. But over time, year, year and a half passes, some of the older kids graduate out. He's now becoming one of the more senior kids in the group. And the more he grows, the more he talks and becomes like this de facto leader of the group, which helped him so much in finding his voice and his self-advocacy, not only in the group, but in the real world. He started making more friends, getting involved, and he is one of the many, many wonderful success stories that I've had the privilege of being a part of in the guys group. I hope that, you know, if you are interested in the guys group, that can happen for your son as well. If you'd like to talk to me more, please give me a call back. I'd love to talk to you about your son and see if he might be a good fit for the guys group. Thanks.
Who This Group Helps
Common Reasons Parents Reach Out
This group is a good fit for high school boys who are struggling with self-esteem, feeling lonely, needing more social support, shutting down at home, or having trouble finding solid friendships. It can also be a strong fit for boys who look “fine” from the outside but second-guess themselves, feel disconnected, or do not have a place to talk honestly about what is going on in their lives.
Convenient for West Valley and Conejo Valley Families
The Guys’ Group meets in person at Teen Therapy Center in Woodland Hills on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30. For families in Woodland Hills, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, and Thousand Oaks, it offers an in-person teen boys support group that is close enough to be practical and specific enough to feel like the right fit.
Led By Kent Toussaint
A Long-Running Weekly Group for High School Boys
Kent Toussaint is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has specialized in working with teen boys for years and has run this group for well over a decade. Parents are not just choosing a service, they are choosing a facilitator. Kent’s style is warm, direct, engaged, and nonjudgmental, which helps boys feel safe enough to take healthy emotional risks and grow.
Start With a Simple Conversation
If you think your son could benefit from more confidence, better social connection, and a place to be himself, reach out. We are happy to answer your questions, talk about fit, and help you decide whether The Guys’ Group is the right next step for your family.
No pressure. Just a conversation to see what’s right for your family.