Small Groups

Lunch Bunch

This is probably the most popular small group that I run! This laid-back group focuses on building a stronger sense of community and connection while developing positive peer relations among students. The lunch group meets once per week and provides students with an opportunity to connect with fellow classmates on a more personal level in a “safe” environment where they can talk freely about their accomplishments, concerns, and ideas.

Changing Families

This group is designed toward giving students extra support for coping with family changes. These could include situations with members living in separate homes, divorce, re-marriage, blended families, etc. Adjusting to changes at home can sometimes be stressful and can create challenges for children at school. The group will provide a comfortable space for students to explore personal feelings, learn positive coping strategies, and benefit from a peer support system. We meet once a week during school hours for eight weeks.

Emotion Management

Being able to effectively manage emotions can be challenging for children and adults alike. This group aims toward strengthening skills in identifying emotions in self and others, self-regulation, and positive social interaction. Research shows that children who develop positive social-emotional skills are more likely to cope with stressful situations, become excellent problem-solvers, and improve their readiness to learn (APA, 2017)! This group meets once per week for 6-7 weeks.

Grief Group

This group is unique because it is led by two counselors: I will partner with a Youth Counselor from HopeWest Kids to co-facilitate a 6 - 8 week grief group for students who have experienced the death of a loved one. There are no limitations to attendance such as relationship to the deceased, the length of time since the death or the cause of death. The only criteria are that the student feels the death has impacted their life in a significant way. Each session will include grief education and small group discussion. Activities such as writing, art, and literature will assist participants in coping with issues of grief and loss.

Zen Kids Mindfulness

The purpose of this group is to build mindfulness in student participants to promote positive emotions of self-acceptance, improve emotional and cognitive awareness, and increase focus on present situations. Current research suggests that mindfulness practices in schools result in reductions in behavior concerns and aggression, and increased happiness and ability to pay attention (Suttie, 2007). Students will meet once per week for 6-8 weeks.

Worry Warriors

Many students struggle with anxious feelings and thoughts that affect schoolwork, home life, and social relationships. The purpose of this group is to build coping skills to deal with worry/anxiety. Students will learn more about deep breathing, muscle relaxation, thought-checking, and will be able to identify supports. Groups run once per week for 10-12 weeks.

Self-Esteem

This small group provides fun, interactive activities that help students learn positive ways of responding to stress, practicing positive self-talk and affirmations, identifying personal strengths, while defining and exploring healthy self-esteem. Students will meet together once per week for 6-8 weeks.