Pokémon Go Adventure
Why Pokémon Go Adventure?
(Hint: It’s More Than Just a Walk)
If you just send your child outside to play, or sign them up for an unguided hobby group, the same old social roadblocks tend to appear. They might get overwhelmed by a group dynamic, shut down if a battle doesn’t go their way, or stay on the periphery, watching other kids connect.
Our Pokémon GO group is entirely different because it is clinically structured.
While the kids are focused on catching a rare Charizard or taking over a neighborhood gym, our trained facilitators are actively working behind the scenes. We don't just supervise; we intentionally guide the social architecture of the walk:
We manage social anxiety: If a child is hesitant to speak up, we naturally loop them into conversations about their favorite Pokémon or battle strategies.
We navigate real-time rejection & disappointment: If a Pokémon flees or a Raid Battle is lost, we help them process that frustration in the moment, practicing emotional regulation right there on the sidewalk.
We coach teamwork and sharing: Taking down a high-level Gym requires cooperation. We facilitate the communication needed to delegate roles, celebrate peer successes, and negotiate trades fairly.
Why InnerWorks
The Local Experts: InnerWorks is the premier therapeutic location in Southwestern Ontario for specialized child and youth groups.
Proven Track Record: We have run targeted youth groups for years, helping thousands of local children and teens conquer social isolation.
Pioneers in Creative Engagement: We don't force kids to sit in a rigid circle and talk about their feelings. We meet young people where their passions live, using Minecraft, D&D, art, and Pokémon GO as clinical tools.
Neurodivergent-Affirming Care: Our team of Registered Social Workers and Psychotherapists are experts in supporting ADHD, Autism, social anxiety, and learning differences.
Real-World Impact: We know that the deepest social growth happens when kids are moving and hands are busy. We turn screen time into true, real-world belonging
If your child or teen is isolated and lacks physical activity, our Pokémon GO Social Group turns catching Pokémon into real-world social skills and exercise - while they think they're just playing a game.
Does This Sound Familiar?
✗ They're glued to screens indoors. You want them to get fresh air and exercise, but forcing them to "just go outside" or join a traditional sports team results in pushback or meltdowns.
✗ Recess feels lonely. They struggle to break into peer groups at school. They want friends, but they don't know how to initiate conversations or navigate group dynamics.
✗ They lack social confidence. Shyness, social anxiety, or neurodivergence (like ADHD or Autism) makes unstructured social situations feel overwhelming. They feel like they don't fit in.
✗ You’re exhausted from trying to "fix" it. You see them withdrawing and you’re worried about their physical and mental health, but traditional talking therapy feels too heavy or formal for an 8-to-12-year-old.
Here’s the truth:
Your child or teen doesn’t need to be "fixed." They just need a shared interest to bridge the gap. They need a low-pressure space where they can move their bodies, connect with other kids who "get it," and realize that their interests are a superpower, not an isolation tool.
That's exactly what our Pokémon GO Social Group does.
What's Really at Stake
Without support, these struggles often:
Deepen into isolation as teen years progress
Create anxiety patterns that follow them into adulthood
Rob them of critical developmental years for building friendships
Leave them feeling increasingly "different" and alone
Impact their confidence in every area of life
Another semester passes. Another year of potential friendship and confidence, gone.
But here's the truth: It doesn't have to be this way.
Every teen deserves a place where they belong, where they can practice being themselves, and where connection comes naturally. Your teen included.
Imagine What Life Could Look Like...
Instead of withdrawing indoors, they are genuinely excited to grab their shoes and head out the door.
Instead of feeling left out, they are walking side-by-side with a peer group, discussing strategies, and celebrating a rare catch together.
Instead of anxiety defining them, they are moving their bodies, getting fresh air, and building natural confidence.
Instead of screen time being a source of isolation, it becomes the ultimate tool for real-world, face-to-face connection.
A Safe, Active Space to Move and Connect
Our Pokémon GO Adventure Group is a single-session, therapist-led meetup designed for children and teens ages 7–18. Because Pokémon and exercise are for everyone, we use multiple facilitators on-site to split participants into developmentally appropriate, same-age peer groups.
How the Session Works:
The Huddle: We meet at the InnerWorks office for a quick introduction, safety briefing, and goal-setting for the day's adventure.
The Expedition: We head out as a group to walk to nearby Pokémon gyms, PokéStops, and prime catching locations in the neighbourhood. Kids team up for high-level Raid Battles, trade coordinates, and track down Pokémon together.
The Wrap-Up: We return to the office for a final debrief, a chance to show off the day's catches, and a structured pick-up.
📱 Note on Devices: Participants are required to bring their own device with Pokémon GO installed. However, if your child does not have their own device, please let us know in advance, accommodations can be made so no one is left out of the fun!
🌧️ The Weather Backup Plan: Rain or snow won't ruin the day. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we pivot the adventure indoors at our office, transitioning to traditional, card-based Pokémon gameplay, trading, and battle strategy sessions.
What Your Child Takes Home
While your child or teen is focused on tracking down virtual creatures, they are walking away with massive, real-world growth across three core areas:
1. Physical & Mental Well-Being
Gamified Exercise: Overcomes the "lazy/indoor screen time" hurdle by turning a neighborhood walk into an active, high-reward mission.
The Nature Deficit Fix: Gets them out into fresh air, moving their bodies, and burning energy, which naturally regulates sleep cycles and decreases cortisol levels.
2. Social Mastery
An Automatic Friend Filter: Eliminates the terrifying "what do I say?" barrier. Every kid on the walk already shares their exact interest, making conversation natural and effortless.
Collaborative Skill-Building: Teaches them how to coordinate, delegate roles during high-stakes Raid Battles, and compromise during trade negotiations.
3. Emotional Resilience
Safe Failure Practice: Pokémon GO provides instant, low-stakes opportunities to practice losing—whether it's a legendary Pokémon escaping or losing a gym battle—with a clinician nearby to support coping strategies.
Confidence Boosting: Watching their knowledge and skill level be valued and respected by a peer group builds quiet, authentic self-esteem.
Group Details
Who: Chidlren & Youth aged 7–18
Where: InnerWorks Counselling, 4562 Colonel Talbot Road
Investment: $125 / session
When: Summer 2026 only!
Jun 24 5-8PM
Jul 8 130-430PM
July 15 5-8PM
Jul 29 5-8PM
Aug 5 5-8PM
Aug 12 130-430PM
Aug 19 5-8PM
This group is explicitly designed to be a safe, low-pressure space for children and teens navigating:
Social Anxiety & Shyness: Kids who want to connect but get completely overwhelmed by traditional, unstructured social settings or large groups.
Neurodivergence (Autism, ADHD, Learning Differences): Youth who think a bit differently and need a neurodivergent-affirming environment where their hyper-fixations and unique passions are celebrated as superpowers.
Isolation & Recess/Lunch Loneliness: Those who spend most of their time indoors, struggle to break into established peer groups at school, or find it hard to maintain friendships.
Low Motivation or Low Mood: Children and teens dealing with depression or low energy who refuse traditional sports but need a fun, gamified reason to get fresh air and exercise.
Perfectionism & Disappointment: Kids who struggle with emotional regulation when things don't go their way, helping them practice resilience when a rare Pokémon flees or a gym battle is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Weather won't ruin the day. If the weather is unsafe or highly uncomfortable for an outdoor walk, we pivot the session indoors at our office. The adventure transitions to traditional, card-based Pokémon gameplay, trading, and deck battle strategy sessions. Your session is never canceled due to weather!
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Yes, ideally participants should bring a mobile device (phone or tablet) with Pokémon GO pre-installed and an active account.
However, we are fully committed to accessibility! If your child does not have a device, please contact our team in advance, accommodations can be made so no one is left behind.
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Because Pokémon is for everyone, we welcome a broad range of ages. To ensure social interactions are developmentally appropriate, we utilize multiple facilitators on-site. Participants will be paired with a facilitator and aged appropriate peers for the walk!
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Life happens, we get it. While consistent attendance helps with both the story continuity and therapeutic progress, we'll work with you if occasional absences are necessary. We can brief your teen on what they missed.
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This is a therapeutic group program.
Many insurance plans cover group therapy sessions (psychotherapy/social work benefits), and we can often direct bill.
This program is covered by OAP. -
This is a single-session, "One-Shot" style meetup. There is no long-term weekly commitment required. It is designed to be a low-pressure, drop-in style event where your child can try it out, have fun, and see if they enjoy the group dynamic.
