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This group was created for  spouses just arriving to Malmstrom Air Force Base. Participants will learn about resources and coping strategies that will allow them to adjust smoothly to the new base. This group will also allow time for networking so the participants may build up a support system outside of the group.

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Spouses in this group counseling will demonstrate these mindsets and behaviors:

M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being.

B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem

B-SMS 10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities

B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students

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Flyers will be made and  posted on the Community Center and Family Readiness Center's  bulletin boards.
There will also be an announcement placed in the Community Center Newsletter that includes a calendar with all meetings and activities being held there. All news letters are sent to on base housing inboxes and temporary lodging.
Dates, time and other helpful information will be posted on the multiple spouse pages, on Facebook, with permission from the admins.

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Spouses who express interest will be interviewed individually to assess whether the group is right for them. The question of when they arrived, how many bases have they been to prior to Malmstrom will be asked. Some of the lessons will be spoken about in general to see if the topics are new to the spouses, indicating a necessity of the group to that individual.

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Stage 1:
In the first group meeting the basic ground rules will be presented. Any others that the participants would like to discuss will be and agreed upon. As one of the rules is confidentiality, this will be  expanded upon. Seeing as most of the participants will be completely new to Malmstrom or at the very least the military life-style introductions will be made to try and establish trust and a basic understanding of one another.  At the end of each session there will be a networking opportunity for the group in the hopes that tighter bonds are made to ensure that the overall arrival process goes even smoother and trust is built there.
Stage 2:
Participants throughout the next sessions will have the opportunity to not only learn about spousal resources that the base provides but also share their thoughts and struggles during their challenging moves. I will be gauging how well the discussion is going and if the resources being shared are helpful or if they need to be expounded upon.
Stage 3:
In the last session of group, other social groups will be discussed. Participants will be encouraged remain a tight knit group so that the support will remain even after the group sessions are over. As with every group check in confidentiality will be stressed. A survey will be done to assess the success of the group.

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There are no rules for informed consent for Malmstrom AFB but after the participants have been selected they would receive an Informed Consent form that they would have to sign at the first group meeting. This form would include a description of the group and confidentiality requirements of the group as well.

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For this group a situational style of leadership seems appropriate. Since this is more of an instructional group that has emotional supportive qualities. While the participants might not need to be told what to do they will not have a lot of knowledge about the base or coping strategies which is what they are there to learn.

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1. Be kind and respectful to one another
2. No rank talk
3. No one will be forced to speak up in group.
4. What is said or done in the group stays within the group.

During the first session of group other rules that make the participants feel comfortable will be discussed.

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Ultimately, I could see a lot of therapeutic factors being demonstrated in the group sessions. Universality will be a big therapeutic factor since all of the spouses would be dealing with similar struggles in their moves.  Imparting of information will also be a part of the group. The sharing of resources, coping strategies, and anything the spouses may discuss during the group discussion portion of the sessions.  In general, altruism is a huge military community quality so I could see it making it's way into the group as well. It is hopeful that the group sessions could act as a catharsis for many of the spouses who need a safe place to express themselves.

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Section B.7. of ASGW Best Practice Guidelines 2007 Revisions (2008) states, "Group Workers include evaluation (both formal and informal) between sessions and at the conclusion of the group."
This supports my role as an evaluator in the first and last sessions of the group as well as the group check ins in the mid-sessions of the group.

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Section B.1. of ASGW Best Practice Guidelines 2007 Revisions (2008), "Group Workers are aware of and monitor their strengths and weaknesses and the effects these have on group members. They explore their own cultural identities and how these affect their values and beliefs about group work."
As someone who is a part of the military community I think this supports my role as a counselor in this group because while I explore my strengths and weaknesses in the community I can help grow other members of said community.

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American School Counselor Association (2014). Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student. Alexandria, VA: Author

Thomas, R. V., &  Pender, D. A. (2008).  Association for specialists in group work: Best practice guidelines 2007 revisions. The Journal for Specialist in Group Work, 33(2), 111-117. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/01933920801971184

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.