Small Group Counseling
It is important for students to understand that whatever they are going through, they are not alone! Small Group Counseling also helps students to empathize with others and problem solve. During group sessions, I teach students coping strategies and they leave with a plan to help them cope in the future.
Most groups run for about six weeks (others longer) and some students participate in individual and small group counseling at the same time. Parent/Guardian Permission is required for students to participate in group counseling. The same rules of confidentiality apply (see individual counseling). It is important to note that while I do discuss confidentiality in group, I cannot guarantee that another student will maintain confidentiality. However, I have not had this problem.
See a list of groups and descriptions below.
Group sessions will be 30 minutes and are typically held for six to eight sessions (some groups are longer). Most fall groups start in October and conclude before Christmas Break, with the exception of the Helper Squad and Introduction to Cub Life. Spring Groups start in January and conclude prior to Spring Break. I will collect permission forms and the group will start once we have enough students for a group, so it is possible that the group may not start immediately.
I will do what I can to schedule groups in a way that minimizes the loss of instructional time. I work with teachers to determine the best time of day to pull students once a group is formed. I will not pull students from their recess or specials time. Students that are recommended for group counseling are typically students that are spending a lot of time out of class or are distracted and unfocused in class. In group, our goal is to help students to develop the skills that they need to regain that focus and perform better academically. If you are an educator or have ever taken a Psychology class, you probably learned about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Before you can reach the top of the hierarchy (Self Actualization) where learning actually occurs, your other needs have to be met. Counseling is one way we can help to meet those needs so that students can do the learning we want them to do. Past experience has shown that participation in a counseling group has lead to improved school performance.
Group Descriptions
Helper Squad (Leadership Group)
This group is for students selected to represent their class/grade level as student leaders. Students will receive instruction on leadership skills and set goals to improve our school. The Helper Squad will greet new students and give them tours of the school, make sure all students have someone to sit with at lunch and play with at recess. These students are held to high standards of student behavior and are expected to be role models for other students in the school and they will participate in a variety of community service projects.
Girl Power (Social Skills & Self Esteem)
This group is for girls that need help with social skills and making friends. Shy girls or girls that are having a hard time communicating with other students are a good fit for this group. This is also a good place for girls with self esteem issues or for girls that are different from their classmates and are often left out or picked on by other students. In this group, girls will learn how to maintain healthy friendships with other girls, understand how to use conflict management strategies, and develop an appreciation of who they are as an individual.
Building Champions (Social Skills & Self Esteem)
This group is for boys that need help with social skills and making friends. Shy/quiet boys that are having a hard time communicating with other students, are picked on by others, or are left out are good fits for this group. Boys that have been known to pick on others are also a good fit. We will focus on conflict management, healthy friendships, and self appreciation.
Banana Split (Divorce/Separation Group)
This group is for boys and girls of any grade whose parents/guardians have separated and/or are divorcing. It is a safe place for kids to process their emotions about the split.
Who Moved My Cheese? (Dealing With Change) Bibliotherapy group for Grades 3-5
This group is for students dealing with a change in their life. Examples include: divorce, remarriage, new siblings/stepsiblings, change in foster care, moving to a new school, parents are incarcerated, a new baby in the family, the death or loss of a family member or friend, etc. This group is recommended for students when the change seems to have an impact on his or her school work, homework, concentration in class, or general mood. We will focus on the different emotions we feel and how to deal with them. We will be reading a chapter book during this group and discussing it each week.
Zen Kids (Self Regulation/Managing Emotions)
This group is for students (girls and boys) with frequent outbursts or meltdowns in class and/or at home: yelling, kicking, hitting, throwing things, refusing to cooperate. Students will learn coping strategies and emotional management techniques and will learn to better communicate with adults. We will work on impulse control, taking turns, filtering language, following directions, and delaying gratification. At the end of the six weeks, they will have a plan to share with adults that outlines how they will deal with big emotions.
Worry Warriors (Anxiety and Worry)
This is a group for students (girls and boys) who have difficulty with anxiety and worry. We will complete a Worry Workbook and discuss strategies for managing worry. Students will take their workbook home at the end of the group.