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The name of my group is Peaks & Valleys. My group name represents the ups and downs of relationships. The topic my small group will be addressing is conflict resolution. I will be working with seventh grade girls from low-income families. We will discuss different strategies for managing conflict effectively. Group members will learn to respectfully express their feelings, listen actively, use “I” statements to avoid blaming, and find solutions in a peaceful manner.

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The participants in my group will be encouraged to develop a healthy mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being. The hope is that these participants will obtain and keep a positive attitude towards learning, respect themselves and others, and believe that they can reach their full potential. I will instill in them the importance of becoming a lifelong learner. The standard for each individual's behavior will be established. It is expected that each participant take responsibility for their actions, learn to manage their time effectively, and learn effective coping skills when handling conflict. It is my desire that each participant walk away having learned how to communicate well, develop empathy, and understand that they can disagree with others in a respectful manner (American School Counselor Association, 2021).

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Each participant will receive a personal invitation from me, the counselor. I will first visit with each student and explain the purpose of this small group and see if they are interested. If the student seems interested, then I will send a letter home to the parent/guardian explaining the purpose of the small group and that their child has expressed interest in joining. The parent/guardian must give consent for their child to participate. I will also send out a flyer to all the teachers to let them know about this small group and what skills/strategies will be taught.

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My group will consist of seventh grade girls from lower income families. I will utilize the information from student enrollment to screen for my group. I will consider those that qualify for free or reduced lunches/breakfasts. I will also look at housing status and if there is a sibling that qualifies for the head start program. After I have narrowed down my group of girls, then I will begin visiting with each one individually to determine if there is interest in my small counseling group. I will be sure to discuss the group topic, goals, and tasks with each individual. I would utilize Morganett's "TAP-In" process.

Tell the student about the group

Ask about her level of interest to the group

Pick participants

(Morganett, 1990)

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According to Senate Bill 12, public school counselors in Texas must obtain parental consent to provide counseling services to students (Texas Education Agency, 2025). Without this a counselor cannot counsel students.

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(Stone Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC., 2017)

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This poster will be posted in the location of our meetings. These are my rules, and I will allow the group to add two more. The group will discuss what is important to them and then come to an agreement on two more rules. This will be their first opportunity to learn to compromise and respectfully disagree.

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Stage 1: Storming/Norming Stage

This is the stage where trust is established among the group. In order to accomplish this, the group will first collaborate and list behaviors that will promote inclusion and trust. Clear boundaries will be established. Individual as well as group goals will be set. We will spend time during each meeting on team building activities. It will be crucial to discuss the expectation of maintaining confidentiality and how it is a tool of empowerment.

Stage 2: Performing Stage

The importance of working together will be discussed. The goal here is to see this group bond and understand that they have more in common than they realize. Modeling appropriate behavior is important. Participants will be put in role-play scenarios that encourage teamwork, respect, and the art of compromise.

Stage 3: Mourning Stage

This stage will focus on ending the group and helping participants find closure. We will reflect on our time together and assess how well we met our goals as a group and as individuals. I will stress once again the importance of trust and confidentiality among the group moving forward. Through role play scenarios, we will discuss how to take the skills and strategies learned and incorporate them in our day-to-day living.

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I feel that my leadership style would be Participative Leadership or Democratic. I will guide my students in this small group and provide expectations, but I also want my students to have input as well. This will be a student-centered group. I desire for my students to be fully engaged and feel that they have a voice. However, all final decisions will rest with me. I feel that students perform better, are more motivated, and buy-in to what an educator is doing when they have a voice. In order for this small group to be effective, full participation from the students is vital.

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There will be two therapeutic factors found in this small group. One will be the Development of Socializing Techniques. We will be developing interpersonal skills by working on communication and conflict resolution strategies. There will be a lot of partner work taking place where students will participate in different role play scenarios. The other therapeutic factor that will be found in this small group is Direct Advice. Students will be receiving instruction on conflict resolution strategies. I will be modeling proper behavior when dealing with conflict. Students will also collaborate with one another on different ways to handle conflict; therefore, they will be offering suggestions on this matter as well (Yalom, 1995).

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American School Counselor Association. (2021). The ASCA mindsets & behaviors for student success: K-12 college-and career readiness for every student. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors; American School Counselor Association. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)

McCoy, R. (2023, March 1). Parental Rights and Information Sharing - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Www.schoolcounselor.org. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Magazines/March-April-2023/Parental-Rights-and-Information-Sharing

Morganett, R. S. (1990). Skills for living: Group counseling activities for young adolescents. Chicago: Research Press.

Stone Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC. (2017). SCCS. https://www.stoneccs.com/

Texas Education Agency. (2025, August 28). SB 12: Required Parental Rights Form and Right to Health-Related Services Information | Texas Education Agency. Texas.gov. 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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Legal Requirements for School Counselors

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Legal Requirements for School Counselors

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There are many legal requirements pertaining to small group counseling. For example, counselors are required to guarantee that their services comply with state laws and regulations, including those specified by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which regulates access to student records. Counselors must also obtain parent consent in order for students to participate in small group counseling (McCoy, 2023).

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Ethical Requirements for School Counselors

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Ethical Requirements for School Counselors

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School counselors are to prioritize the needs of the students, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect as individuals. Counselors are also to support all students and validate their identity and psychological growth (ASCA, 2022). These ethical requirements act as a guide for me as a school counselor to ensure that I treat all students fairly and with respect. This allows me to be able to create a supportive environment that encourages growth.