Stage 2- To help ensure the group is progressing effectively and working towards reaching the learning outcomes, the counselor will complete regular check-ins with the group to discuss their understanding of the content. The counselor will also provide the students the opportunity to give regular feedback on their perception of the group's progress with the outcomes. The check-ins will become a regular procedure for the group to help the students identify their progress step-by-step.  

Stage 3- The counselor will begin discussing group closure during the middle sessions (session 3 for a 6 week group) so the students start to think and prepare for closure. The counselor will mention and discuss closure for each session leading up to the final one; the group will also prepare plans for a celebration to complete during the final session. This kind of structure will provide the counselor to best prepare the students who may feel uncomfortable with closure; the students will be able to express any concerns prior to the final session. The students will be informed on the follow-up plan so there is a sense of comfort for students who may be struggling with closure. The counselor will revisit the topic of confidentiality but post-group closure so students understand the importance of protecting each other's information which was shared during the sessions. Confidentiality will be emphasized regularly, so students will hopefully understand and accept maintaining confidentiality after group closure. 

This standard is critical in creating and facilitating an effective and successful group. By following this standard, the counselor ensures that students are grouped in a manner that will promote growth and not hinderance in meeting personal goals. When counselors are screening for membership, they can recognize any issues of concerns with group makeup (aggressive students placed with permissive students). This standard helps counselors verify appropriateness for participation for the interested students. If multiple students wish to participate in a specific type of group, this standard gives the counselor the guide to place students in functional groups; it also helps to filter out students who may not be a good fit for the group setting. The students who are not ready can be served in the individual setting. 

This ethical requirement/standard is one of the most important guidelines for counselors to follow as it ensures parents/guardians are informed about services their child receives. The standard helps counselors provide and maintain open communication with parents, especially when the parents are involved and wish to know progress made by the student. The counselors keep the parent informed on any concerns and areas of growth to celebrate, especially since much of the student's functioning is at home; progress will hopefully be utilized at home and not just at school. This standard helps counselors follow legal requirements pertaining to underage youth. This requirement also prompts counselors to verify appropriate custody of the child so as to not conflict with any existing legal documents from divorces, adoption, etc.