• When: Once per week (during class time, rotates periods weekly). 

            Groups usually start mid October.

• Where: Here at school. Mrs. Hudson’s office or another place close by. 

• What: A group of students who are looking to learn/practice healthy coping skills, connect with peers, and move toward solutions.

• Who: Students referred by their school counselor or someone else. Students can also self-refer. Group is a school based tiered intervention that supports students with specific needs. Groups usually have 8-10 students. Sometimes groups have students who may have something in common (like grief/loss, anxious thoughts, avoidance behaviors, etc). 

• What? Really, what is “Group”?: This is a support and coping skills group. Students learn to support self and others in ways that are more helpful. This is an educational support group in which Mrs. Hudson helps facilitate learning and growth.  Group is a school based intervention. Group will get together to connect and establish norms (agreements or rules the group sets for itself).  We will learn how to do "check-ins"; there will be some "get to know you" activities, some games, some activities, some art, some music, some learning. And, there will be time to talk, share, and connect. 

• What Group is not: Group is not therapy and it is not intended to take the place of other treatments like seeing your doctor or a mental health therapist outside of school. If you need help or resources for those types of services- please talk to Mrs. Hudson, Mr. Pitkin, and/or your school counselor. We can help.

• As group becomes more comfortable we work on some of the following topics: 

  • Practicing boundaries/how much you share with others.

  • Recognizing thinking habits so you can shift toward something more helpful.

  • Connecting with others, feeling less lonely.

  • Talking to friends about what you want/need.

  • Talking about thoughts and feelings so you don’t bottle stuff up.

  • Communicating with adults about your wants and needs.

  • Showing respect for people who are different from you.

  • Caring for yourself, putting your needs before the needs of others.

  • Ways to access supports outside of school.

  • Setting, communicating, and sticking to healthy boundaries.

  • Ways to develop healthier relationships.

  • Strategies for engaging more in school.

  • Noticing how your body is reacting to stress.

  • Calming your body and brain.

• Group referrals come from specialists and school counselors. The choice to do a group is always in the hands of the student. It is not a requirement to attend. It is not something that parents can make students do. Participation will be by student choice. This may be a great fit for you and it may not be. Mrs. Hudson will let you know what she thinks and you can decide together. You can stop by her office (check in at the counseling center front desk). You can also email her: jennifer_hudson@lkstevens.wednet.edu