GRO

UP CO

UN

SELING

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Presented by:

Stacy Solsaa & Jill

Stephenson

Professional School

Counselors

GROUP COUNSELINGThe Basics

ADVANTAGES OF GROUP COUNSELING More efficient – pull together several with same

concerns – can be informal Members keep fellow members honest,

preventing them from manipulating as easily as they might during individual sessions

Group relationships are more realistic than individual relationships between counselor and students

Allows you to observe group interaction Peers may serve as a role model Students become aware that they are not alone Students have chance to practice skills with peers

CHANGES IN ETHICAL CODE Professional school counselors:a. Screen prospective group members and

maintain an awareness of participants’ needs, appropriate fit and personal goals in relation to the group’s intention and focus. The school counselor takes reasonable precautions to protect members from physical & psychological harm resulting from interaction within the group.

b. Recognize that best practice is to notify the parents/guardians of children participating in small groups. (In the past it was if counselor deemed appropriate & consistent with policy.)

CHANGES IN ETHICAL CODE CONTINUEDc. Establish clear expectations in the group

setting, and clearly state that confidentiality in group counseling cannot be guaranteed. Given the developmental and chronological ages of minors in schools, recognize the tenuous nature of confidentiality for minors renders some topics inappropriate for group work in a school setting.

d. Provide necessary follow up with group members, and document proceedings as appropriate.

CHANGES TO ETHICAL CODE CONTINUEDe. Develop professional competencies, and

maintain appropriate education, training and supervision in group facilitation and any topics specific to the group.

f. Facilitate group work that is brief and solution-focused, working with a variety of academic, career, college and personal/social issues.

(per Dr. Stone – not therapeutic)

CONSENT AND POLICIES FOR GROUPS Using a consent form

Special groups offered to a special group of students

Summer or after-school groups

Using a letter Small groups that are part of the comprehensive

school counseling program.

Using your school policies Groups that all students participate in.

GROUP SELECTION Group selection can help you avoid problem

group members and difficult dynamics Methods of groups selection could include

surveys, questionnaires or input from teachers

Decide characteristics of those who would be suited for group prior to reviewing students for the group

The purpose of the group often can help when considering participants

Some groups may not require group selection, depending on the purpose

Group ChartObjectives Opening Activity Topics

Activity Processing

Closure Affirmations

Comments

Self-Disclosure

Feelings

Target concerns

Feedback/Evaluation

STAGES OF GROUP DEVELOPMENT

EVALUATING GROUP COUNSELING Self-rating: scale of 1-10; thumbs up/down

Useful as a check in or throughout group Informal use of open ended sentences – “I

liked, I learned, a suggestion I have is…, I wish…”

Self- monitoring of successfully meeting goals• Staying calm, fewer disagreements with friends,

etc. Observations of target behavior by teachers

or you Pre-test/post test Monitoring of student or school kept records –

Grades, attendance, study time, etc.

GROUPS RUN IN SCHOOLResources and Sharing

ELEMENTARY GROUPS Social Skills

Focus on developing social skills kids need to succeed in school

Teacher Requests Target special needs of a group of students

Friendship Focus on the qualities of a good friend

After-School Groups Generally voluntary and can focus on many

things

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS Relationship Groups (Girls/Boys Groups)

Focus on friendship challenges of junior high Focus is on developing and maintaining healthy

relationships Transition Groups

Focus on transitioning from Elem to middle school and from middle to high school

MORE IDEAS FOR GROUPS Support Groups

Could be held on a variety of topics Could use as a way to touch base with students

struggling in school Study Groups

Could be offered by a group such as NHS, a way for students to help other students

Attendance Groups Addresses attendance issues

At Risk Groups Groups to target the needs of at risk students

ODDS & ENDS Doing self-reflection outside of group using

books and journals• Used in HS anger management

Self-advocacy skills and self-understanding for students on an IEP

• ADHD students – look at brain scan• Learning disabilities – talking with teachers

Friendship groups for special needs• Deaf students with friends• Autistic student with selected participants

Multi Use Activities

M & M’S

• People would be surprised that I..

• I’m envious when…• I usually am…• I dream about…• I get angry when…• I enjoy …

negative

positive

positive

negative

positive

positive

negative

CLOSINGMore Resources and Discussion

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFO http://sdschoolcounselor.wikispaces.com/Gro

up_Counseling jill.stephenson@k12.sd.us stacy.solsaa@k12.sd.us

BOOKS AND CURRICULUM http://rosalindwiseman.com/publications/own

ing-up-curriculum/ www.juliavtaylor.com GIRLS (Girls in Real Life Situations) Julia

Taylor and Shannon Tracie-Black Salvaging Sisterhood: Julia Taylor Studing, Test Taking and Getting Good

Grades: Susanna Palomares and Dianne Schilling

Boundaries: Val J. Peter & Tom Dowd The You and Me Workbook: Lisa M. Schab A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue: Julia Cook Sorry: Trudy Ludwig

More resources Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting,

Zero- Prep Team Builder for All AgesSusan Ragsdale & Ann Saylor, 2007, Search

Games (& other stuff) for Group Chris Caver & Friends, 1998, Wood N Barnes

Skills for Living: Group Counseling Activities for Young Adolescents

Rosemarie Morganett, 1990, Research Press Mad: How to Deal with Your Anger and Get

Respect James Crist, PhD., 2008, Free Spirit

Putting on the Breaks Activity Book for Young People with ADHD

Quinn, Stern & Lee, 1993 The Behavior Survival Guide for Kids (for EB

students, easy reader version available) Thomas McIntyre, PhD

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION Issues

Scheduling Resistance The problem group member