The Support Squad by Alicia Chavez

Group Description

achavez63_3 — 2025-09-13 23:29:49 UTC

The Support Squad is an eight-week counseling program for middle school students (ages 11–15) coping with loss. Facilitated by a licensed counselor, the group provides a safe and supportive environment where teens can process emotions, learn coping strategies, and build peer connections. Through activities such as journaling, art, discussions, and self-care practices, students develop healthy ways to express grief, strengthen resilience, and foster hope for the future. Program logistics include weekly 60–75 minute sessions with 6–10 participants, confidentiality guidelines, and collaboration with parents/guardians. Progress is evaluated through student reflections, counselor observations, peer feedback, and parental input, ensuring the program effectively supports emotional growth, coping skills, and social connection.

ASCA Mindsets Behaviors

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The ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success emphasize the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need for academic achievement, social/emotional development, and career readiness, including fostering self-confidence, resilience, problem-solving, coping strategies, and positive relationships. These standards guide school counselors in creating equitable, inclusive programs that build on students’ strengths while addressing barriers to success (American School Counselor Association 2021). For the Support Squad, aligning activities with these standards ensures members not only develop personal skills such as empathy, leadership, and advocacy but also learn how to support peers effectively, creating a safe, collaborative environment that strengthens resilience and school community connections.

Reference:
American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA student standards: Mindsets & behaviors for student success.Alexandria, VA: Author

Publicity

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The Support Squad will be shared with students in fun and easy ways. Bright posters and flyers will be put up around the school in places like hallways, the cafeteria, and the library. Counselors or current squad members will visit classrooms to explain what the group is about and share how it helps students. Announcements on the school PA, posts on the school website, and social media will let students know when and where meetings happen. Teachers can also suggest students who might benefit, and special events or assemblies will give students a chance to learn more and ask questions. Squad members sharing their own experiences will help students feel welcome, excited, and ready to join

Pre Group/Interview/Screening

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The Support Squad is a group where middle school students can feel safe, supported, and included while learning to understand their emotions, build coping skills, and make positive connections with friends and adults. Students will hear about the group through classroom announcements, flyers around the school, posts on the school website or social media, short presentations by counselors, and suggestions from teachers. Before joining, students will have a chance to share their thoughts through quick surveys and conversations with counselors so we can see who is ready and interested in participating. Each student will be checked individually to make sure the group is a good fit, but general information will be shared with everyone so they know what to expect. This helps make sure the Support Squad includes students who will benefit most and create a positive, supportive environment for everyone.

Informed Consent

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Students will have completed a pre screening process and received an invitation to participate. Students who receive an invitation have provided an assent, which refers to their agreement to participate in a service when they are not legally able to provide full informed consent (Flowers & Dawes, 2023).

In accordance with Senate Bill 12 (SB12) and Houston ISD policies, written parental consent is required for students to receive counseling services. This includes both a written document provided in compliance with SB12 and a signed permission form from the district (SB12, August 2025). These policies ensure that parents are informed and involved in decisions regarding their child's participation in counseling services.

Ground Rules

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The Support Squad Grief Group has clear ground rules to create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment. Members are encouraged to listen to others without interrupting and to respect different feelings and experiences. Privacy is important. What is shared in the group stays in the group, except if someone is in danger. Students are encouraged to talk about their own feelings using “I feel…” statements, share when they feel comfortable, and support others when they share. Kindness and encouragement are essential, avoiding teasing or judgment, and safe language should be used to express emotions healthily. Members should take care of themselves by stepping out or asking the counselor for help if needed, and remain focused by keeping phones and devices away unless required for an activity.

The Stages of Group Dynamics

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In the Support Squad Grief Group for middle school students, the first stage focuses on building trust and establishing relationships by using icebreakers and collaborative norm setting to create a safe and welcoming environment. Students are encouraged to share their feelings while learning that confidentiality is important but not absolute, as mandated reporting applies in situations involving harm (Dougy Center, 2018)((NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee, 2015). During the middle stage, cohesion and productivity are maintained through structured activities such as journaling, art projects, and group discussions, along with regular check-ins to monitor students’ emotional well-being and progress (Behm, 2023). In the final stage, closure is facilitated through reflective exercises, discussion of feelings about the group ending, and reinforcement of continued confidentiality, while providing follow-up resources for ongoing support to help students feel confident in their growth and coping skills (Schonfeld & Quackenbush, 2012).This approach ensures that middle school participants navigate their grief safely, feel supported by peers and adults, and leave the group with skills and resources to continue their healing.

Leadership Style

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The Support Squad will use a collaborative and supportive leadership style. This means the group facilitator will guide discussions and activities while encouraging students to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. The facilitator will focus on creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment where every student feels heard. Leadership will emphasize empathy, active listening, and positive reinforcement, helping students build confidence, practice coping skills, and support each other. Decisions in the group, such as activities or discussion topics, may be made together so students feel ownership and involvement in the group experience.

Yalom's Therapeutic Factors

achavez63_3 — 2025-09-14 02:23:31 UTC

In the Support Squad group, students experience several of Yalom’s therapeutic factors that promote growth and healing. Through Instillation of Hope, they see that coping with grief is possible and that others have successfully navigated similar emotions. Universality helps them realize they are not alone, as peers share comparable experiences of loss or difficulty. The facilitator provides Imparting Information by guiding students in coping strategies, emotional expression, and problem-solving skills. Members engage in Altruism, supporting and encouraging one another with empathy and advice, while Development of Socializing Techniques allows them to practice communication, listening, and teamwork in a safe space. Through Corrective Recapitulation of the Primary Family Group, students explore family dynamics or grief experiences, helping them process emotions. Catharsis encourages open emotional expression, providing relief, and Existential Factors enable reflection on loss, life challenges, and meaning, fostering resilience and perspective.

Legal and Ethical Requirements

achavez63_3 — 2025-09-14 02:29:25 UTC

The Support Squad must adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines to ensure the safety, confidentiality, and well being of all participants. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student counseling records are generally confidential and cannot be disclosed without written consent from the student or their parent/guardian. However, FERPA allows disclosure without consent in certain situations, such as health or safety emergencies. In Texas, the Family Code §32.003 permits minors aged 16 or older to consent to counseling services without parental consent if they meet specific criteria, including living separate and apart from their parents and managing their own financial affairs. Additionally, Senate Bill 571, effective September 1, 2025, requires professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or local law enforcement. Failure to report is a misdemeanor under Texas Family Code §261.101. Furthermore, Senate Bill 179 mandates that school counselors spend at least 80% of their time on comprehensive counseling duties, including academic advising, career and college planning, and responsive services. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) emphasizes that counselors must respect students' right to privacy and maintain confidentiality unless disclosure is required to prevent serious harm or is mandated by law. These legal and ethical standards ensure that The Support Squad operates within the framework of student rights and professional responsibilities.

References

achavez63_3 — 2025-09-14 02:54:01 UTC

Reference:
American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA student standards: Mindsets & behaviors for student success.Alexandria, VA: Author

Behm, S. (2023, March 17). Grief by age: Middle school youth (age 11–13). Eluna Network. https://elunanetwork.org/resources/grief-by-age-middle-school-children-age-11-13/?utm_source=

Dougy Center. (2023, March 17). Tips for teens who are grieving. https://www.dougy.org/assets/uploads/Tips-for-Teens-Who-are-Grieving_2023-03-17-201232.pdf

Flowers J, Dawes J. Dignity and respect: Why therapeutic assent matters. Beha Anal Pract. 2023 Jan 19;16(4):913-920. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00772-6.

NASP School Safety and Crisis Response Committee. (2015). Addressing grief: Tips for teachers and administrators.Bethesda, MD: NationalAssociation of School Psychologists. Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

Schonfeld, D. J., & Quackenbush, M. (2012). Coping with loss: Supporting children in school. Coalition to Support Grieving Students.

Texas Education Agency. (August, 2025). Senate Bill 12: Required parental rights form and right to health-related services. Texas Education Agency.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.

Article 1

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Article 2

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Survey for Students

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Article 3

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Article 4

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