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The name of the group is Mind In The Moment. The group will focus on learning mindfulness techniques to help manage the stresses they experience. Participants will learn strategies for personal evaluation and gauging the effectiveness of the methods. This group is designed for middle and high school students.

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Evan Williams Group Proposal _ Literature Review 

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The American School Counselors Association (ASCA) provides knowledge and skills students need for success and healthy growth and development. Mind in the Moment will focus on two of those mindsets: the belief in the development of the whole self and the development of coping skills (American School Counselor Association, 2021).

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American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.

American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA Student standards; mindsets; and behaviors for student success. Alexandria, VA.

Cherry, K. (2023, June 23). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Very Well Mind.

https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Flowers J, Dawes J. Dignity and respect: Why therapeutic assent matters. Beha Anal Pract. 2023 Jan 19;16(4):913-920. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00772-6.

Harris K., Gaffey A., Schwartz J., Krantz D., & Burg M. (2023). The perceived stress scale as a measure of stress: Decomposing score

variance in longitudinal behavioral medicine studies. Ann Behav Med. 2023 Sep 13;57(10):846-854. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaad015. PMID: 37084792; PMCID: PMC10498818.

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups.

Texas Education Agency. (August, 2025). Senate Bill 12: Required parental rights form and right to health-related services. Texas Education

Agency.https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/sb-12-required-parental-rights-form-and-right-to-health-related-services-information

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

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This group will be advertised through the weekly school newsletter, read aloud in the daily school announcements, and through direct invitation from the counselor. Also, teachers and staff can send requests to have students participate in the group.

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The counselor will utilize the TAP method outlined in the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015). First, the counselor will tell the participants about the group, clarifying information they may have heard in announcements or questions from parents. Next, the counselor will ask the student about their interest in the group. Therapy methodologies are more effective when the client is a willing participant. Finally, the counselor will select members based on factors such as perceived desire to participate, referral sources, and parental permission.

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Group members will have completed the pre-screening process and received an invitation to participate. Students who receive an invitation have provided assent, or the agreement to participate in a service when they are not legally able to provide informed consent (Flowers & Dawes, 2023).

Since the counselor will work with minors, Burelson ISD policy states that counselors must have written consent from parents for students to receive counseling services. There are two forms of consent: a written document provided in compliance with Senate Bill 12 and a signed permission form from the district (SB12, August 2025).

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Group counseling permission form 25_26 school year

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The predetermined rules of the group are as follows:

1. Confidentiality is not a guarantee because there are circumstances that require notification of other adults. However, we ask that topics discussed in the group remain with the group.

2. Cross-talk is discouraged to ensure all group members feel heard.

3. We ask that discussions remain on topic.

The group will determine how to provide feedback and how to address conflict in a kind manner.

The purpose of these expectations is to establish a functional small group therapy experience. The counselor will display these ground rules in a location that facilitates references in the moment. By displaying these rules, participants can refer back to them to help facilitate the small group sessions.

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Storming/Norming Stage

In this stage, participants will test the boundaries between themselves and the group facilitator. Trust and connections are developed during this stage, so the counselor must demonstrate an ability to handle conflict and build relationships with the group (Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators, 2015). This goal will be accomplished by participating in the activities during the lessons, answering questions as openly and honestly as developmentally appropriate, and ensuring conflicts are resolved equitably.

Performing Stage

The group develops by working together to achieve group and individual goals. In this stage, the group should begin to see benefits from participation. By conducting mindfulness activities, breathing activities, and reflection activities, the group should grow more comfortable in sharing thoughts and feelings.

Closure

The counselor will provide opportunities for group members to reflect at the conclusion of the group. The participants will use a stress scale as a method of reflecting on their progress (Harris et. al., 2023).

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Participative or democratic leadership involves participation in the group activities while providing guidance (Cherry, 2023). The facilitator engages in the activities presented in the group setting and guides the desired effects and possible results.

This approach works best with students because of their immaturity. Students will often terminate activities that are not pleasing or do not yield immediate results. The counselor's participation can help the students develop the stamina needed to see results. Also, the counselor's guidance can help students see the intended results of the exercises.

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According to Chapter 239 of the Texas School Counselor Certificates (2024), school counselors must counsel students in small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques. The proposed small group provides techniques using cognitive behavioral theories to engage the mind and body. The group will participate in research-based activities proven to help reduce the effects of stress and anxiety.

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Counselors are responsible for providing explanations of the purpose of groups and providing clear parameters for confidentiality (ACA, 2014). This ethical stance supports the role of the counselor by ensuring the counselor does not harm by providing misleading information about the group. Additionally, the participants agree not to harm by breaching the confidentiality of the group to the best of their ability. This creates a trusted space for participants to grow as a result of the shared experience.

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Instillation of Hope: The Mind in the Moment will give hope to students by explaining the purpose of the group and connecting individuals who share the same struggles.

Universality: As the members participate in the program, they will hear a clear message that they are not alone, and they share similar struggles with their peers (Yalom, 1995).

Imparting of Information: The counselor will partner with the group, becoming a guide on the side, providing advice and knowledge when needed to help the students in the group in their growth.

Imitate Behavior: As the students work through the lesson in the program, they will begin to imitate the successful behaviors. Students will share effective techniques and try to copy them to achieve the same success (Yalom, 1995).

Direct Advice: Due to the age of the participants, there will be times when the counselor will have to provide direct advice. For example, students will ask specific questions about specific topics, and the counselor will need to clarify and respond in a manner that provides specific advice.