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As a counselor, I am legally mandated to report current/previous abuse, neglect claims that the youth may disclose during the course of the group.

261.001 et seq.
"Professionals" including teachers, nurses, doctors, day care employees, employees of state-licensed or certified organizations with direct contact with children, clergy, mental health professional, attorney, reproductive health clinic worker, any person

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As this is a group consisting of youth transitioning out of foster care, I will explain the limitations of confidentiality as it relates to their case manager and/or PALS worker.

1.When services provided to the client involve participation by an interdisciplinary or treatment team, the client will be informed of the team’s existence and composition, information being shared, and the purposes of sharing such information.

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Universality will be the main therapeutic factor for this group. This group is centered around youth transitioning out of foster care. The participants will all have known the trauma's of the foster care system and the lack of support system they have. The participants will most likely all have fear of the unknown as they are transitioning into adulthood. This will hopefully allow them to bond over the struggles they are facing and build a support system with other members of the group. The second therapeutic factor is altruism. By building this support system, youth will see that they are not alone and try to help each other with struggles they may have already faced.

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The leadership style for this group will be Democratic. Youth 18-20 years old will not benefit from someone telling them what to do. Rather, participating in the group with them and allowing them to express their emotions and concerns will be more effective. At times, I will need to intervene but for the most part, this groups purpose is to help them transition into adulthood and make their own decisions.

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Stage 1: To begin building trust between counselor and participants, we will begin by participating in icebreakers. This will allow everyone to speak about themselves if they choose to do so. The youth will complete a pre-assessment, this will also allow me to focus my on what I believe will assist the youth in their transition.

Stage 2: To gauge process, we will have a group discussion after each session to see what was learned and what needs to be re-addressed. We will apply what was learned to real life situations that the youth face. If youth begin to become hostile towards one another or begin any type of bullying, we will go back to stage 1 with another ice breaker and go over the rules of the group.

Stage 3: For the conclusion of this group, we will take a post assessment and conclude with any other questions the youth may have. If comfortable, participants in the group as well as myself will exchange numbers with the new found support system they have built. This will be one of the most important aspects as youth transitioning out of foster care many times lack a broad support system.

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The following rules will be made known prior to beginning the first group session:

1. Always be respectful towards other members of the group.

2. Confidentiality is paramount.

3. Limits to confidentiality in group counseling.

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Working with youth transitioning out of foster care, they will be 18 and can participate in what they choose. However, these youth also have case managers and PALS who often like to know what the youth is participating in for court matters. I will have all necessary release of information documents signed by the youth (if they are staying in foster care) prior to beginning the group and inform them that I could potentially be speaking with their case managers.

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After speaking with the youth's case managers and PALS coordinator, I will have a telephone call with each youth who could potentially benefit from this group. During the phone calls, I will screen for future life goals and current mindset of each youth.

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Due to the specificity and confidential nature of this group, there will not be "normal" marketing. I will speak directly with CPS case managers and Preparation for Adult Living Specialists to seek participants that could benefit from this group.

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Texas Child Abuse Laws. (2018, March 29). Findlaw. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.findlaw.com/state/texas-law/texas-child-abuse-laws.html#:%7E:text=Texas%20Child%20Abuse%20Laws%201%20Mandatory%20Reporting%20Requirements.,with%20Your%20Child%20Abuse%20Case%20in%20Texas.%20

American Counseling Association | A professional home for counselors. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.counseling.org/

What Are Prominent Leadership Styles and Frameworks You Should Know? (2022b, May 23). Verywell Mind. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Next Step Therapy. (2015, April 14). Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors -. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from https://nextsteptherapy.ie/groups/group-psychotherapy/yaloms-therapeutic-factors-2/

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The following goals from the ACA code of ethics will be accomplished by participating in this group:

1. Enhancing human development throughout the life span

2. Honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts

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This group will speak about issues surrounding exiting foster care and address issues young adults face. We will set obtainable goals that focus on adulthood.