Maximum Minutes by Ashley Meza

Maximum Minutes Description

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:38:23 UTC

Maximum Minutes is a stress management small group meeting designed for university students aged 18-23 to help reduce daily stress. Participants will engage in discussions and activities aimed at understanding and managing stress through connection, learning coping skills, and setting boundaries.

Mindsets and Behaviors

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:50:37 UTC

Students who participate in Maximum Minutes will achieve the following skills that will allow each individual to manage life and academic stress.

Mindset Standards:

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

M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high quality results and outcome.

Behavior Standards:

B-LS 3. Time management, organizational, and study skills.

B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers.

B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills.

B-SMS 8. Balance of school, home, and community activities.

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

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

Publicity

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:51:10 UTC

Maximum Minutes will be disseminated through flyers around the university. The flyers will be hung in common areas such as the library, classroom hallways, student lounge, the cafeteria, the sports complex and gym. This method is being used to reach all students throughout the campus. Students who are interested will be required to complete a needs assessment using their school email. Students who meet the criteria from the needs assessment will receive an email with further information. Reminders will be sent out to students prior to the first session. Students who attend and participate in the full 6-week program will be rewarded a coupon to use at the University Café.

Consent

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:54:35 UTC

Once students have been selected to participate in Maximum Minutes, an informed consent will be distributed and explained to them. Although these students are adults and can provide consent, it is essential that they comprehend what to expect in group sessions and what is required of them. This includes confidentiality and their limitations.

Ground Rules

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:56:19 UTC

Guidelines and ground rules will be explained to all participants prior to the session beginning. Certain rules will be non-negotiable, while other rules may be open to discussion and agreement among students. As the session continue, some of the group-determined rules can be adjusted and added as needed.

Pre-determined rules:

Confidentiality

Be respectful

Participation – listening and engaging

No phones

Attendance

Group-determined rules:

Sharing – Students will only share what they are comfortable with.

Conflict Resolution – How the group will work through disagreements.

Group Dynamics

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:56:58 UTC

Stage 1: To begin the first session, I will share a little bit about myself to ease any tension or hesitations. I will explain the rules and confidentiality and encourage anyone to add to this if everyone agrees to it. I will then ask everyone to introduce themselves and conduct an ice-breaker activity. The goal for this session is to create trust and a safe space within the group.

Stage 2: During this stage it’s important to recognize if a group is connecting with one another and the counselor. Activities will be conducted to facilitate interaction and communication among all participants. This part of the program is to focus on goals and work together to reach them. I will check in with everyone at the end of every session to determine any progress or changes for improvement.

Stage 3: The closing stage can be particularly sensitive for many individuals, as it may evoke feelings of abandonment and loneliness. The final session will provide encouragement and positive affirmation for all participants, aiming to ensure their success and effective utilization of the skills they have acquired. Students will be reminded of the rules and confidentiality and encouraged to maintain contact with one another for support. I will also provide them with my work email and number to reach out for any additional support throughout the school term.

Leadership Style

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 19:58:00 UTC

The leadership style that I will use for Maximum Minutes is Participative Leadership. This type of leadership will allow all members to engage and contribute to the group that will set forth motivation and creativity (Cherry, 2023). Though this leadership will allow for students to have some control, I will make the final decisions and offer guidance towards different topics that we transition to.

Yalom's Therapeutic Factors

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 20:28:04 UTC

Many of Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors may potentially be seen in this group such as the following:

Installation of Hope – As the group comes together and work through stress, they will be able to grow their self-esteem and find hope that treatment will work.

Universality – Each member will feel a sense of belonging and know they are not alone in their struggles.

Development of Socializing Techniques – Member will engage with one another through activities and communication to improve interpersonal skills.

Catharsis – Each session will focus on different skills and techniques to help manage stress. It is hopeful and expected that students will be able to express themselves wholeheartedly as trust continues to build.

Existential Factors, Direct Advice, and Interpersonal Learning – Students will be able to give and receive feedback to other members in the group, and take responsibility for their own selves.

Legal & Ethical Guidelines Part 1

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 20:29:45 UTC

The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, B.4.a – Group Work, counselors must clearly explain the importance of confidentiality and its limitations. It’s important to conduct group counseling as you would for individual and any other counseling treatment. Another important code to adhere is C.2.f – Continuing Education, counseling has an obligation to maintain current information regarding the counseling field. This includes current practices and acceptance of new ones especially for diverse cultures (American Counseling Assocation, 2014). Discussing confidentiality with my group will build trust and encourage others to be willing participants. By continuing my education, I will be able to keep up with current trends that will allow me to better understand individuals.

Legal & Ethical Guidelines Part 2

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 20:30:00 UTC

According to the Texas Administrative Code section c, standard II – learner centered skills - 9, counselors use counseling-related research techniques and evidence-based practices to address student needs (19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15). This code is important to my role while conducting group sessions because it requires in depth research to determine what techniques will work. It will also allow me to assess each student and accommodate their needs.

References

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 20:31:19 UTC

American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1

Cherry, M. (2023). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Perceived stress scale (PSS-10). (n.d). Novo Psych. https://novopsych.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/pss-10.pdf

Standards Required for School Counselor Certificate, 19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15

Pre-Group Screening

ameza_4 — 2025-02-15 22:30:48 UTC

University students who wish to participate in the small group program as indicated in the flyer will be required to scan the QR code and complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) assessment to evaluate their risk level. The assessment is available online for access and completion by individual students using their school email accounts. If the students' results are identified as high risk, they will be contacted via email to ask additional questions and agree to participate.