As part of the counseling program, students are invited to participate in small group counseling sessions. Students who share a common concern meet together with the counselor to talk and share. Experience shows that the greatest benefit from a counseling group is the support the children feel from each other. The following are small groups that may be offered:
*Welcoming New Students/Transitions: Usually starting at the beginning of the year, this group is open to all new or fairly new students. Groups are organized by grade level and seek to help students feel less anxious about the transition to a new school. Children make new friends and learn about the school and procedures. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings with one another.
*Social Skills/Friendship Club: This group focuses on enhancing basic social skills, the understanding of basic social situations, and improving the students' abilities to communicate more appropriately with others. Students practice conflict resolution and problem solving techniques through role-playing and other activities. They are taught more effective ways to make and keep friends.
*Managing Anger: I "CAN" (Control Anger Now) is a group that seeks to help students understand the physiological and emotional reactions to anger, as well as identifying "triggers" that lead to anger. Children are taught appropriate coping skills for handling frustration and anger.
*Positive Choices & Decision Making: This group helps students become more familiar with the steps to better decision-making, and helps improve students' ability to think through outcomes related to their choices and actions. We discuss making positive choices in the classroom, at school, at home, and in the community, as well as discussing the positive and negative consequences of our choices.
*Divorce/Changing Families: This group enables children to better understand family changes such as separation, divorce, remarriage, and blended families. Children are able to share their feelings with peers who are dealing with the same issues. I encourage the development of coping skills and the expression of feelings in this group.
*Grief/Loss: "Memory Makers" is a group that encourages exploration of feelings of grief and loss through the use of books, art, and sharing activities. Participants work on a memory book or a grief/loss workbook that they take home at the end of the group.
*Self-Esteem: A group designed to help children gain an awareness of their unique abilities and own special talents is called, "Proud to be Me!" Students will experience an increased confidence and practice decision making and coping skills for handling challenges. Students will better understand themselves in relation to others.
*Organization/Study Skills: This group teaches students' the importance of being organized at home and at school. Students learn strategies that assist with organization. Basic study skills, time-management, and how to raise grades is discussed as well.
Small groups may have anywhere from 2-6 students per group, and tend to be 6-8 weeks long. I try to schedule the group during the students' lunch and recess to avoid missing academic time. Your child may be referred to a group by a teacher, principal, or the counselor, in which a permission slip will be sent home.
If you would like your child to participate in a small group or have a suggestion for a different group that would better suit your child, please contact me at school.