Final Project by Gabriella Novello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp en-us 2023-01-20 19:39:59 UTC 2023-01-30 03:07:18 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456736974 With the normal anxieties that come with the transition from childhood to adolescence, the Covid-19 pandemic has added more. Students are worried about getting sick, getting loved ones and friends sick, and they may have experienced loss as a result of the pandemic. Their schooling was drastically impacted as well; with remote learning being utilized for some time, their learning took a toll as students may have suffered as a result, with the inability to learn the material properly and in the presence of a teacher. A peer-reviewed article titled The status of adolescent health during the COVID-19 pandemic discusses the impact that the pandemic has had on not just the physical health of adolescents but their emotional well being as well. The article mentions that, upon reviewing the results of the study, "Effective approaches and policies in this crisis, especially for adolescents, can alleviate the anxious reactions and be a way to meet their health needs appropriately" (Alamolhada, et. al., 2022).]]> 2023-01-25 20:04:59 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456736974 ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456742758 Alamolhoda, S. H., Zare, E., & Nasiri, M. (2022). The status of adolescent health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Medicine & Life, 15(5), 675–678. https://doi.org/10.25122/jml-2021-0287.

American School Counselor Association. (2019a). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.).

Bhattacharjee, S., Madden, J. (2023, January 16). 15 Calming Games and Activities for Children with Anxiety. MomJunction. https://www.momjunction.com/articles/games-activities-for-kids-with-anxiety_00773034/.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. (2020, August 28). Coping Skill for Middle School and High School Kids: Taking Deep Breaths [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2j7S8dy8j0.

F Golestan Jahromi, & R Etesami Pour. (2012). Comparison of Cognitive Coping Strategies with Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Adults. Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ̒Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Bābul, 14(6), 60–67.

]]> 2023-01-25 20:10:08 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456742758 Deep-Breathing Activity ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456780100 When working with young adolescents, for example middle schoolers, there are a number of life changes that can cause stress and anxiety on top of their academics. This can all be overwhelming, especially if they do not know how to cope with their stress. For our group project, we are focusing on middle school students who experience anxiety in many regards and relating to school, social, and home life. The activity I would like to utilize is that of guided breathing exercises, which can be utilized towards the opening of the session. Through guided deep-breathing exercises, students can clear their heads and calm their mind and body, giving them a break and a refresh from their day. As a group the students, as well as the counselor(s), would watch a video of a guided deep-breathing exercise to start the session, something that can be utilized throughout the group counseling process as a way to bring the students together. This process will also teach students a coping strategy for their anxiety that they can utilize throughout their lives. To begin a group counseling session with the middle school students, we would watch video attached above.]]> 2023-01-25 20:46:48 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456780100 Mindset & Behaviors Standards ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456784255 This activity not only provides a calm to start the session and a coping mechanism for their anxiety in and out of school, but it also helps with learning certain mindsets and behaviors. The ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors that this activity helps to work towards are:
 
Mindset Standards:
 
M1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
 
Behavior Standards:
 
Learning Strategies:
 
B-LS 10. Participate in enrichment and extracurricular activities
 
Self-Management Skills:
 
B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning
 
B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
 
B-SMS 10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities 
 
Social Skills:
 
B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
 
B-SS 3. Create relationships with adults that support success
]]> 2023-01-25 20:51:06 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2456784255 5-4-3-2-1 grounding activity roycroftse https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2457936606  This will allow for a safe space to be established. This will help group members learn to become comfortable and relaxed, especially around others doing this activity. “The value of preparation in forming a group, ways of developing group ground rules, icebreaker activities, how to encourage members to make connections, and how to assist members in identifying what they have learned are all illustrated. “(Corey et al., 2018) It will allow the students to observe what others observe and other’s perspectives. Some goals will allow techniques to help the students when they are feeling anxious or emotions, they are not sure how to process. It allows to focus on those emotions and then will better assist them with how to express them.  To be effective in the group setting they counselor must “continually engage with participants to make meaning of the data.”(Wagner & Hill, 2015) and “belief that group work holds great potential to facilitate human growth, development, and healing in the robust interpersonal environment rather than individually.” (ASGW, 2021)]]> 2023-01-26 17:17:36 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2457936606 roycroftse https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2457956339
ASCA Mindsets that would apply to this activity include the following:


M 1: Belief in the development of the whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.


M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.


 


 ASCA Behaviors that apply to this activity include:


B-LS 1: Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions.


B-SMS 6 : Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning.


B-SS 2: Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.


B-SS 6: Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills.


 B-SMS 7: Effective coping skills


B-SMS 10: Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities 

]]> 2023-01-26 17:32:15 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2457956339 A-Z Activity roycroftse https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2458005843 For this activity, the group can each make a list of options for each letter. This will create group bonding and group building. This will also show the different perspectives and help provide other options that the students might find work better for them. This allows to establish an outline for the future sessions and ways to explore the options on how to handle anxiety. ]]> 2023-01-26 18:08:16 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2458005843 roycroftse https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2458013484
Wagner, H. H., & Hill, N. R. (2015). Becoming counselors through growth and learning: The entry transition process. Counselor Education and Supervision, 54(3), 189–202.


Association for Specialists in Group Work. (2021). ASGW guiding principles for group work. https://asgw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ASGW-Guiding-Principles-May-2021.pdf
]]> 2023-01-26 18:13:53 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2458013484 Happy Brain, Worry Brain ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460034920 This activity begins with providing each student with 2 pieces of paper; one with the title “Happy Brain” and the other with “Worry Brain”. Each student will be directed to write on each one what comes to mind when they think of those prompts; their thoughts, feelings, and even pictures if they wish to draw as well. Sanjana Bhattacharjee and Dr. Jessica Madden discuss a number of activities in their article titled 15 Calming Games and Activities for Children with Anxiety, one of which is this particular activity. They discuss that this activity can help to understand a “child’s weaknesses and strengths and develop their coping skills” (2013). Once they are finished, they are free to share what they would like with the group, potentially finding common ground with their peers and helping group leaders to find common anxieties to work on with the group. 

Research also shows that “coping skills like other cognitive skills develop with increasing age and are very effective in efficient dealing with life stressful situations” (Jahromi & Pour, 2012), emphasizing a large importance of learning such skills at this age as middle school students experience a variety of stressors and will continue to as they grow. 

]]> 2023-01-28 23:59:25 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460034920 Mindset & Behavior Standards ggnovello https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460038610 Not only does this activity aid in the development of coping skills in adolescents, it also helps in the development of Mindset and Behavior Standards addressed by the American School Counselor Association, including:

Mindset Standards:

M1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being.

Behavior Standards:

Learning Strategies:

B-LS 2. Creative approach to learning, tasks, and problem solving.

B-LS 4. Self-motivation and self-direction for learning.

B- LS 10. Participation in enrichment and extracurricular activities.

Self-Management Skills:

B-SMS 3. Independent work

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.

Social Skills:

B-SS 1. Effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills.

B-SS 2. Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from them.

B-SS 3. Positive relationships with adults to support success.

B-SS 4. Empathy

B-SS 6. Effective collaboration and cooperation skills.

B-SS. 9 Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment.

]]> 2023-01-29 00:20:27 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460038610 Session #4 tamekavazquez https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460083486
It is through the process of Art Therapy allows students to connect with their inner feelings by expressing them through art. The students would become more self-aware through Art Therapy while encouraging personal development and coping skills. With the combination of verbal communication and art therapy to express their emotional feelings, they would have learned the skills needed to control their anxiety when it arises. Emotional release plays an important part in many kinds of groups, and the expression of feelings facilitates trust and cohesion (Corey et al., 2018).

My overall goal as a counselor when facilitating group sessions. That I follow the ASGW Guiding Principles for Group Work. To conduct meaningful and successful group sessions.




]]> 2023-01-29 03:19:01 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460083486 ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors Standards tamekavazquez https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460091347                    
Mindset Standards:
M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.
M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed.
M 3. Sense in belonging in the school environment.

Learning Strategies:
B- LS 1. Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions
Self-Management Skills:
B-SMS7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem
Social Skills:
B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students


]]> 2023-01-29 03:47:26 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460091347 Session #5 Create Patterns tamekavazquez https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460135424
Through Art Therapy, students will create their own patterns through the art form called Zentangle. Zentangles are smaller pieces of abstract patterns described as artistic mediation through focused attention in creating the patterns.
Art therapy can often regulate anxiety by redirecting attention away from worries, fears, and stress. Through Art Therapy, students can express their thoughts and feelings through visual rather than verbal expressions. Art therapy works as a distraction, only allowing the student to focus on the task at hand, to vent and release stress and anxiety through creative art. Art therapy enables the students to make that mind and body connection. Art Therapy will help the students better understand interpersonal skills, positive attitudes,  and behavior change. Art, clay sculpture, games, and puppets are all good tools to help keep the group creative. Additionally, each group session should balance activities and open discussion (Corey et al., 2018).

 



]]> 2023-01-29 06:38:50 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460135424 Session # 5 ASCA Mindsets & Behavior Standards tamekavazquez https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460148698 M1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.

Learning Strategies:
B-LS 2. Demonstrate Creativity
B-LS 10. Participate in enrichment and extracurricular activities.

Self-Management Skills:
B-SMS 2. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility.
B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem.


]]> 2023-01-29 07:33:12 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460148698 References: tamekavazquez https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460149749 Art Therapy for Anxiety, Stress, and Creativity - YouTube Links to an external site. https://youtu.be/nHEFQKY5RH4
Hayes Art Therapy, 10/6/2018

American School Counselor Association(2019). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.).

Sink, C. A., Edwards, C., & Eppler, C. (2012). School-based group counseling. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Chapter 5, “Facilitating” (pp. 131–158)

Association for Specialists in Group Work. (2021). ASGW guiding principles for group work 
Links to an external site.. https://asgw.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ASGW-Guiding-Principles-May-2021.pdf

Art Therapy Exercise for Art Therapy https://youtu.be/T6UIBVovurg

 



]]> 2023-01-29 07:38:13 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460149749 Session #6 aperinho3 https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460581007 Past and Present Hands Art Activity

Anxiety refers to thought and behavioral issues that result from excessive fear and anxiety. Fear is best described as an emotional response to a real or perceived threat, whereas anxiety focuses on the anticipation of a future threat. Anxiety may often be described by words such as stress, worry or nervousness. Moving forward, the activity I chose is the Past and Present Hand art drawing activity. “Art allows us to express ourselves visually and rely less on verbal expression” (Art Therapy). Art therapy can benefit clients by initially diffusing a stressful environment in a therapy setting. This technique will help the student/client feel calm and able to focus on the task at hand. This activity can release stress and encourage focus.

To begin the group counseling session with middle school students, the students will first focus on the left hand, being the past, then the right hand, being the present. A video demonstrating the activity will be provided. This may be done with paint or just crayons or markers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFa2SdfIhYE&t=219s

Process Questions:

How did you feel before and after doing the activity?

Would you change anything about your artwork?

Did you put your heart into your past and present?

Would you recommend this technique for a friend?

ASCA Mindset Standards:

M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.

M 2. : Self-confidence in ability to succeed.


ASCA Behaviors that apply to this activity:

B-LS 1. : Demonstrate critical-thinking skills to make informed decisions.


B-SMS 6. : Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning.


B-SMS 10. Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities



]]> 2023-01-29 21:35:56 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460581007 Closing Session aperinho3 https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460723839 Group Motto/Positive Affirmations

A group motto or positive affirmation that students have developed or said together throughout the group, is a great way to end a group counseling session. Students/members of the group session can simply stand or sit in a circle and say the motto or positive affirmation in unison as the last group activity before leaving the space. When dealing with anxiety, it is beneficial to share positive affirmations. This will help combat anxiety and stress and has also been shown to improve stress management by facilitating effective problem solving. When people with anxiety repeat self-affirmations that are reflective of their values and interests, they become more successful than those who do not use positive affirmations.

Examples of positive affirmations may be:

-"I am ready and capable to handle anything."
-"I am safe, I am strong, I am well."
-"I see the positive in every situation."
-"I let go and I'm at peace."]]> 2023-01-30 01:56:19 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460723839 References aperinho3 https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460755305 Art Therapy Resources. (2019, June 27). Art therapy exercises to help reduce feelings of anxiety. Art Therapy Resources. Retrieved January 5, 2023, from https://arttherapyresources.com.au/art-therapy-exercises-anxiety/

Www.facebook.com/counselorkeri. (2021, July 30). 5 closing rituals for Group Counseling. Counselor Keri. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.counselorkeri.com/2021/07/30/group-counseling-closing-rituals/ 
]]> 2023-01-30 02:40:47 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460755305 roycroftse https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460770107
ASCA Mindsets that would apply to this activity include the following:


M 1: Belief in the development of the whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional, and physical well-being.


M 2: Self-confidence in ability to succeed.


 


 ASCA Behaviors that apply to this activity include:




B-SMS 6 : Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning.


B-SS 2: Create positive and supportive relationships with other students.


B-SS 6: Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills.


 B-SMS 7: Effective coping skills


B-SMS 10: Demonstrate ability to manage transitions and ability to adapt to changing situations and responsibilities 
]]> 2023-01-30 02:59:13 UTC https://padlet.com/groupcoun22/9bl28wc836ckchvp/wish/2460770107