Group Counseling

Group counseling is an excellent way for children to learn new skills, develop self-confidence, become more aware of others’ views and experiences, practice new behaviors, and better understand how to deal with the problems life presents.  Children who share a common concern but have different coping skills are able to learn from one another.  The group sessions will include a discussion of ideas, feelings, behaviors, attitudes, and opinions.  The children will do some activities related to the topic, such as drawing, role-playing, games, relaxation exercises, just to name a few.  These small counseling groups are for children in grades 1 through 5.  The groups will, depending upon age, consist of 5-8 kids.  They will usually meet 30 minutes once a week, for 8 sessions, to work on the area of concern.  The groups will meet during a time that will not interfere with classroom learning and academic achievement.  I choose the topics for groups based upon the highest needs of the school (staff fills out a needs assessment in the beginning of the year and I choose the top 4-5 areas of concern).  

The following are some of the groups that I do throughout the school year:

• Self-esteem/building confidence

• Positive-thinking/optimism

• Study/organization skills

• Healthy lifestyles/nutrition

• Friendship skills

• Children of changing families (divorce, separation, living with a single parent, living with grandparent(s))

• Easing anxiety/coping skills

• Social skills

• Impulse-control and maintaining attention

Because counseling is based on a trusting relationship between counselor and client, the group leader (myself) will keep the information shared by group members confidential, except in the following circumstances: the child reveals information about harming him/herself or another person, the child reveals information about abuse. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to call or email me at 910-790-2236 (ext. 71305) or april.elkins@nhcs.net .