What is small group counseling?
Counselors offer small groups for students to further develop specific skills in targeted topics. Groups are typically made up of 5-8 students. Here, students are given the opportunity to develop new tools like learning/study skills, coping strategies and self-awareness. Small groups can also help students to improve confidence, learn more about themselves and hear from peers that they are not alone.
Who can refer a student to group?
Parents, teachers, and staff can all refer a student to small group. Once a student is referred, the counselor will discuss student needs with the individual who made the referral and meet with the student to complete a screening process.
Does a student need parent/guardian permission to participate in a group?
Yes. Once a student is selected for a small group, parents/guardians will be asked to sign a permission slip for their student participate.
*Topics are determined by the needs of each individual building. This is not an exhaustive list, however, it is a helpful guide for the types of groups that could be available based upon student needs.
New Student Group
Purpose: At the beginning of the year, Mr. Munley and Mrs. Johnson run a 3-4 week group for students who are new to our building.
Topics include: Building tour, introductions to faculty/staff, a review of our PBIS program, meeting new friends, problem solving, sharing feelings.
Social Skills Group
Purpose: To empower students to engage in identified social skills while promoting a reduction in problem behaviors and improve classroom success.
Topics include: Conversation skills, listening and following rules, self-awareness, taking responsibility for self, getting along with others, empathy and dealing with change.
School Success Group
Purpose: To empower students to understand their individual learning styles, identify studying techniques that appeal to their learning styles, and to improve skills with planning, organization, attention, and more.
Topics include: Goal-setting, best effort on assignments, using class time wisely, organization, time management, test-taking, note-taking.
Healthy Friendships
Purpose: To empower students to form and maintain healthy friendships, develop positive friendship skills, and avoid/handle relational problems.
Topics include: Caring about others, conflict resolution, treating others with respect, making and keeping friends, expressing feelings.
Coping Strategies
Purpose: To teach students strategies in managing challenging emotions and how to resume daily activities after emotional struggles.
Topics include: Identifying emotions, how big is my problem, practice various coping strategies, moving forward and getting back on task.
Conflict Resolution
Purpose: To empower students to resolve conflicts on their own by teaching them appropriate ways of responding and managing strong emotions.
Topics include: Recognizing feelings, remaining calm, listen and reflect, brain storm solutions, agree and commit.
Mindfulness
Purpose: To build mindfulness in students, promote self-awareness/self-acceptance and increase focus on present situations.
Topics include: Self-awareness, calming techniques, being mindful of our words and actions, patience, letting things go, gratitude.
Resiliency
Purpose: To teach students ways to adapt and cope when faced with adverse events or difficulties in life.
Topics include: Setting goals/aspirations, having a positive outlook, developing self efficacy, communication skills, problem solving skills.
Self-Esteem
Purpose: To help students build confidence in themselves while focusing on strengths and self-acceptance.
Topics include: Identifying individual characteristics and strengths, challenging negative self-talk, practicing positive self-talk.
Changing Families
Purpose: To help student navigate family changes while learning strategies to help manage emotions.
Topics include: Meet my family, changes at home, differences between adult and kid responsibilities, stages of grief, I'm still me.
Worry Warriors
Purpose: To teach important skills to manage anxiety and worry. how it affects the body.
Topics include: Defining worry/anxiety and how it effects the body, identifying triggers, developing and practicing new effective strategies to best manage worry/anxiety in the moment.