B-SMS 7: Participants will learn effective coping strategies.

B-SMS 9: Participants will learn basic personal safety skills by learning local resources that help with domestic violence situations.

For example, each group member must understand confidentiality.

Most rules will be laid out by me, however some rules can be created by the group members during the first session.

Rules such as what trigger words should be avoided, or something as simple as who will bring snacks to the next meeting.

Stage 2: I will keep the members working productively each meeting by reminding them of our goals at the beginning of each session. By doing so, they will have these goals in mind as we go throughout the session. I can check in with each group members by allowing them to leave comments, notes, or suggestions after each session. This will allow me to share in their thoughts and feelings.

Stage 3: The plan for group closure is to ensure that each participants is confident in the skills they gained. They will be able to identify their self care plans, safety plans, and community resources with one another. I will reinforce confidentiality by explaining that they wouldn't want their stories being shared with others they didn't trust, so why would they do it. The group will close with each participant sharing final comments and thoughts about the group.

Catharsis: This will be another factor as these individuals will finally be able to talk about their abuse in a safe environment to others who will understand.

Code B.4.a: In group work, counselors clearly explain the importance and parameters of confidentiality for the specific group.

This code is important as it states that as a counselor, I must clearly explain the confidentiality of our group and the importance of it. By not clearly explaining this, I could end up hurting the participants by allowing the others to spread their stories. If this were to happen, the knowledge that one of the clients is in the group could get back to the abusive partner and they could end up hurting the group participant. To avoid this, I will need to explain that what happens at the meeting needs to stay at the meeting first and foremost for the safety of the members.

Code C.2.a: Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience.

This code can ensure that as a counselor, I will only counsel on what I know. If during the group session, a participant brings up an issue that I am not competent in, it would be in poor taste for me to try and help them with this issue. It would be right for me to refer to them to an individual counselors who is more competent in these areas. If I were to try and give them guidance, I could end up hurting them by giving the wrong information.

ASCA student standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for student success. ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). (2021). https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Standards/ASCA-Mindsets-Behaviors-for-Student-Success

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance And Counseling Program: Responsive Services PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR SMALL GROUP COUNSELING GUIDEA Professional School Counselor’s Guide to Planning, Implementing & Evaluating School-Based Counseling Groups. (2015, May). https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/guid-respon-serv-small-group-counseling-guide-2015