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This group is designed for stay-at-home parents between the ages of 25-25 who are dealing with domestic violence.

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M4: Participants will gain self-confidence in the ability to do what is best for them to succeed.

B-SMS 7: Participants will learn effective coping strategies.

B-SMS 9: Participants will learn basic personal safety skills by learning local resources that help with domestic violence situations.

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Flyers will be placed around the police department talking about the group.

Officers will also be given the group information so they can relay the group information when they go out on a domestic call.

Posts will be made advertising the group on the department Facebook page.

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Potential members will be given a interview before the first group to determine if they will benefit from it or not.

An intake form will be filled out by the therapist that highlights important information such as demographic information, information on the abusive partner, details of the relationship, names and ages of children, current mental health status, and attitude towards the group.

Participants will be screened individually

If the counselor feels the participant will benefit from the group, the participant will be given the group meeting information. If not, they will be given a referral to individual counseling.

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This group will not need informed consent waivers as the participants will be between ages 25-45.

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This resource will help me determine the basic guidelines that each group member will follow.

For example, each group member must understand confidentiality.

Most rules will be laid out by me, however some rules can be created by the group members during the first session.

Rules such as what trigger words should be avoided, or something as simple as who will bring snacks to the next meeting.

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Stage 1: Trust between myself and group members will start during the intake stage. By allowing participants to open up to me by sharing their story, it will create a more comforting atmosphere. Group members can feel the sense of trust between themselves and other members by sharing in the idea that they are all here for the same thing. Confidentiality will always be expected and by being honest with the participants that their stories may be shared by other members can build trust.

Stage 2: I will keep the members working productively each meeting by reminding them of our goals at the beginning of each session. By doing so, they will have these goals in mind as we go throughout the session. I can check in with each group members by allowing them to leave comments, notes, or suggestions after each session. This will allow me to share in their thoughts and feelings.

Stage 3: The plan for group closure is to ensure that each participants is confident in the skills they gained. They will be able to identify their self care plans, safety plans, and community resources with one another. I will reinforce confidentiality by explaining that they wouldn't want their stories being shared with others they didn't trust, so why would they do it. The group will close with each participant sharing final comments and thoughts about the group.

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My leadership style will be democratic. I will offer guidance and my professional help as the counselor, but the group members will lead the group in it's effectiveness. I will be the one to keep the sessions on tasks and introduce the lessons. However, group members will be the ones sharing their ideas and thoughts, allowing the group to be peer lead.

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Universality: This will be the main factor as most people facing domestic abuse feel that they are alone. This group will allow them to share in the idea that there are others who know how they feel.

Catharsis: This will be another factor as these individuals will finally be able to talk about their abuse in a safe environment to others who will understand.

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The American Counseling Association ethics manual is a guide for do's and don'ts for counselors.

Code B.4.a: In group work, counselors clearly explain the importance and parameters of confidentiality for the specific group.

This code is important as it states that as a counselor, I must clearly explain the confidentiality of our group and the importance of it. By not clearly explaining this, I could end up hurting the participants by allowing the others to spread their stories. If this were to happen, the knowledge that one of the clients is in the group could get back to the abusive partner and they could end up hurting the group participant. To avoid this, I will need to explain that what happens at the meeting needs to stay at the meeting first and foremost for the safety of the members.

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Another code I find very important deals with competency.

Code C.2.a: Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience.

This code can ensure that as a counselor, I will only counsel on what I know. If during the group session, a participant brings up an issue that I am not competent in, it would be in poor taste for me to try and help them with this issue. It would be right for me to refer to them to an individual counselors who is more competent in these areas. If I were to try and give them guidance, I could end up hurting them by giving the wrong information.

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ACA 2014 code of ethics - american counseling association. American Counseling Association. (2014). https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1

ASCA student standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for student success. ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2021). https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Standards/ASCA-Mindsets-Behaviors-for-Student-Success

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance And Counseling Program: Responsive Services PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR SMALL GROUP COUNSELING GUIDEA Professional School Counselor’s Guide to Planning, Implementing & Evaluating School-Based Counseling Groups. (2015, May). https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/guid-respon-serv-small-group-counseling-guide-2015