# data[].attributes.body
In accordance with campus and district policy, in order for the students to participate in the group the parent or guardian must sign and return the consent form. It is also required that students provide at least verbal assent that will be documented in the screening process. The form above was sourced from the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015).

# data[].attributes.headline
Teacher and Parent/Guardian Screening Form for Students

# data[].attributes.subject
Teacher and Parent/Guardian Screening Form for Students

# data[].attributes.body
Once a parent/guardian or teacher has nominated a student, the counselor will follow-up with an additional screening form that requires them to share information on why they believe this group would benefit them.

Afterwards, the student will be interviewed to discuss being a part of this group. The teacher can remain anonymous if they choose.

The counselor will be using the TAP-IN method for the student screener, Tell the students, Ask the students, and then Pick the participants (Morganett, 1990).

By doing this the student will get the opportunity to learn about the purpose of the group, the reasons they were nominated, date/time and length of the sessions, the goals of the group, and the confidentiality of them participating in the group.

# data[].attributes.body
Memory Keepers will be the name of my support group. The purpose behind this group is to provide support, catharsis, or instillation of hope for the students who are struggling to cope with grief or loss due to death, divorce, or incarceration. The age level of this group is middle school aged. This is typically students who are between the ages of 11-14 years old. This group will be conducted after school to prevent students from having to return to class after having just discussed such a sensitive topic. Additionally, this group will be closed to students who have been identified as needing this support.

# data[].attributes.body
The following are the ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors participants in this group will master.

B-SMS 6- Ability to Identify and Overcome Barriers.

B-SMS 7- Effective Coping Skills

B-SMS 10- Ability to Manage Transitions and Adapt to Change

# data[].attributes.body
To promote this group to teachers and parents, the counseling team will send out nomination letter at the beginning of the year to let them know this group will be an available resource and if they would like to nominate their student or child to be a part of this group. Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, this group is set to be referral based only. The students will be recommended by the parent/guardians or teacher for being identified as having a hard time coping with a loss of a loved one. This can be due to death, divorce, or incarceration. This will not be promoted directly to students due to the topic and it may not be a group that students want others seeing them showing interest in.

# data[].attributes.body
The format above it what the Memory Keepers group will be using to establish the ground rules and expectations. During the first session, we will discuss the above rules and what their interpretation of each is. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for ideas or suggestions for additional rules if they groups feels it applies or is necessary. One of the rules that will be predetermined by me is the confidentiality of the date, time, location of the meetings. Additionally, I will ask that phones be put in a designated area and not used during the meeting. My main priority is to ensure every group member feels safe and that the things they share will not be shared, overheard, or told to anyone outside the group.

Each member will sign and be given a copy of the rules/expectations and a copy will also be procured by the counselor for documentation purposes.

# data[].attributes.body
The leadership styles that I feel would be most appropriate for this type of group are the democratic and the transformational styles. My reasoning for choosing the democratic leadership style is because it allows for the counselor to provide guidance while also participating in the group. I believe this would help create some positive rapport with the members.

With the transformational leadership, it is beneficial because its focus is to help every member succeed while also being very closely involved creating ways for members support one another. e

In a grief and loss support group, finding others that provide them with a sense of universality and positive hopes for the future is very important to rediscovering joys they may have lost in the grieving process.

# data[].attributes.body
When reviewing Yalom's Therapeutic Factors, there are a few factors I could potentially see occurring. One being universality, this is due to part of the overall purpose of this group. I would want the members to be able to see that there are other students, their age, in their school, dealing with experiences similar to their own. They may feel alone, but there is a support system that understands their feelings.

Another therapeutic factor I would consider and honestly hope for is catharsis. It is possible that some members feel like have never had a safe place to express their emotions and lift some of the grief out of themselves. Providing them with a sense of relief.

Lastly, existential factors. For this group, members will have experienced loss through death, incarcerations, or divorce. Dealing with these hard life experiences at such a young age can be difficult to process and understand as a reality. When young, we have a tendency to feel invincible and care free until there are events that start to bring you back to harsher realities.

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Texas Education Code The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt guidelines to ensure that written consent is obtained from the parent, legal guardian, or person entitled to enroll the student under Section 25.001(j) for the student to participate in those activities for which the district requires parental consent (2021).

This supports me as in my role as school counselor while conducting group counseling sessions because in order for the students to participate, parents or guardians must give consent. Without written consent, students will not be able to participate in my sessions even if it is something the student is really interested in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
EDUCATION CODE CHAPTER 33. SERVICE PROGRAMS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
EDUCATION CODE TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION SUBTITLE F. CURRICULUM, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES CHAPTER 33. SERVICE PROGRAMS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SUBCHAPTER A. SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS Sec. 33.002. CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELOR. (a) From funds appropriated for the purpose or other funds that may be used for the purpose, the commissioner shall distribute funds for programs under this subchapter.

# data[].attributes.body
Groups tend to develop with the same flow, there are three stages that will be discussed.

Stage 1 is about getting acquainted, setting norms, and building trust. During this stage, to build relationships and trust within the group and for members to gain trust from me, I will share some of my personal grief and loss experiences. I feel that the members will be more comfortable sharing or expressing if someone else starts first.

There will be limits to confidentiality, it will be explained to the group during the first session that what is discussed within the group stays in the group. The exception is if a member shares something that involves them getting hurt, or hurting someone else. I would explain that although this group is a safe place, I am still a mandatory reporter. If I suspect, hear, or know that abuse of any kind is occurring, I am obligated to report it.

Other than that, it is expected that every member keeps details about the discussions of the group private. Unless they are sharing their own information at their own volition. Members who purposely violate this, will be removed from the group and offer a different means of resources to aid them in their healing journey.

All of this information will be discussed within the ground rules and guidelines that are established and written down then signed as an agreement.

# data[].attributes.headline
ACA Code of Ethics B.1.b. Respect for Privacy

# data[].attributes.subject
ACA Code of Ethics B.1.b. Respect for Privacy

# data[].attributes.body
According to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics section B.1.b, counselors respect the privacy of prospective and current clients. Counselors request private information from clients only when it is beneficial to the

counseling process (2014).

This supports me in my role as a school counselor when conducting group counseling sessions because I am requesting private information about my group members. I have to always make sure I am being respectful to my students and show appreciation for them to trust me that the information is only to help support the purpose of the counseling group.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 2 is working together to accomplish individual and group goals. Ways I intend to keep my group is to create opportunities for students to "pair and share" and "human knot" games at the beginning of sessions. Games like "human knot" involve a lot of group communication and trust since they are having to work together to become untangled. To check with my group, I will let them know I am available after the session has ended to talk about any issues or concerns, as well as a comment box that group members can add to at any point with problems about the group. Additionally, at the beginning of each session, I will ask if there is anything a member would like to bring up to the group that could potentially make our sessions better.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 3 is about ending the group. My plan for group closure consists of speaking about and preparing the group before the last session. We will discuss and set their personal goals for the future, talk about their feelings of the group ending, and remind them of how to use the coping skills they have learned after the group ends. Additionally I will remind the members that I will still be keeping up with them afterwards and will be pulling them for a follow up interview using the form above. I want to ensure them they are capable and deserving of happiness.

Lastly, at the end of the group, I will reiterate the confidentiality agreement they all signed. Just because the group has ended, it does not mean they have the right to begin talk about everything they heard within those sessions.