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Hello, my name is Monica Lujan, the group I am creating is called Test Anxiety. For many students, just the thought of taking a test causes them stress and anxiety, even for those who have spent hours studying and preparing for the exam. When it comes time to take the test, they can not remember, or they second guess themselves throughout the entire test. The participants of this group will be students that teachers recommend because they see signs of test anxiety. The school counselor is the best person to lead the group because, during the group, other issues may arise that the counselor may need to address. The counselor should be the one to teach the coping skills to overcome the testing anxiety.

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Testing Anxiety_ Group Action Plan - Google Docs

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ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success

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ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success

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The ASCA student standards that the students in my group will master are:

M 4. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers

B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills

(American School Counseling Association, 2021)

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I will advertise the group by:

Posting flyers around the school.

Emailing teachers asking for them to refer students.

Posting the flyer on the counseling website and social media page.

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Some of the students will be referred by teachers and will not be screened.
Other students who request to join the group will complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire will ask questions rating their feeling when testing and preparing for the test. Other questions will be short answer responses, asking them why they want to participate in the group. The questionnaire will be emailed to each of the students.

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All students will be asked to sign the consent form before participating in the group. Parents will also be asked to sign the consent form, so they know their child is participating in the group.

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Rules for participating in the group are:
1. Be respectful:

Be on time.

Allow everyone a turn to talk.

2. Do not repeat what is discussed in the group outside of the group.

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Stage 1
We will start the group with icebreakers to build relationships with the group members. Once students feel comfortable, we will introduce the structure and norms of the group. Next, we will do an activity to explain confidentiality and explain its limitations. We will also cover the expectations of confidentiality for the group.

Stage 2
To encourage group collaboration, I will monitor the groups and ask questions to encourage discussion. Groups will assign roles each group member will have a responsibility to ensure the group is productive.

Stage 3
To close the group, we will review the information and techniques learned. After reviewing, the participants will have the opportunity to share their concerns about their test anxiety. I will also make clear that they can come to me if they have any questions or concerns. I will also remind participants about the confidentiality of the group.

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I would lead the group with participative leadership. I am more comfortable with this style of leadership. I like to guide the discussion but also participate because it aids in building relationships with participants.
"Participative leaders encourage group members to participate, but retain the final say in the decision-making process (Cherry, 2022).

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Universality would be visible in the group because it would demonstrate to the participants that they are not alone in their "problems" (Yalom, 1995).

Imparting information would be visible in the group because the participants will learn about anxiety and test anxiety.

Installation of hope could be visible in the group because students should have hope that they can overcome the testing anxiety and that the techniques will be effective.

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(3) Counsel individuals and small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs (19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15).

This code supports my role as a school counselor conducting group counseling because it states as a counselor, it is my duty to provide group counseling to meet the needs of students.

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A.9.a. Screening Counselors screen prospective group counseling/therapy participants. To the extent possible, counselors select members whose needs and goals are compatible with the goals of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be jeopardized by the group experience (American Counselor Association, 2014).

This code supports my role as a counselor in conducting group counseling because it provides guidance for screening students before allowing them to join the group.

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American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

American School Counselor Association (2021). ASCA Student  Standards; Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success.
Alexandria, VA: Author

Cherry, K. (2022, November 14). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

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

19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15