Roots of Well-Being by

Roots of Well-Being Group Action Plan

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 16:53:49 UTC

The name of my group is ‘Roots of Well-Being’, which represents a foundation for emotional and mental well-being. This counseling group will address culturally unique barriers and stresses, such as machismo, work-related demands, immigration concerns, and discrimination. Roots of Well-Being is aimed towards Hispanic blue-collar men between the ages of 25-45. Many Hispanic blue-collar men face economic and work-related stressors. Therefore, this group could offer tangible coping skills for stress management, financial anxiety, and workplace challenges.

ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 18:13:31 UTC

1. Positive Belief in Growth and Self-Worth

Group members will believe they are capable of managing emotions and stress effectively, and that help-seeking reflects strength, not weakness.

2. Sense of Belonging and Community

Group members will value connection, trust, and cultural support within the group as part of their emotional well-being.

3. Understanding of Cultural Identity

Group members will recognize how machismo and cultural expectations have shaped their emotional lives, while affirming that masculinity can also include vulnerability and balance.

4. Future-Oriented Thinking

Group members will develop hope and optimism about creating healthier work-life balance and achieving long-term goals.

Publicity Plans

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 18:23:04 UTC

To ensure that the Roots of Well-Being group reaches the appropriate audience and gains consistent support, information will be shared through multiple channels tailored to participants, and clinic stakeholders. Flyers in both English and Spanish will be distributed at community centers, churches, and local events. Newsletters and informational handouts will be available at Uplifting Family Practice. Flyers will also be posted at male-dominated employment sites, such as construction companies, auto shops, warehouses, etc. Social media posts (English and Spanish) through Uplifting Family Practice platforms. There will be announcements in local newsletters and community bulletin boards as well. We will aim to collaborate with local therapists, physicians, and nonprofits to share information through professional newsletters. This multi-method approach ensures that information about the group is accessible, culturally relevant, and reaches the intended population while also keeping school/clinic staff informed and engaged in supporting the group.

Pre-group Interview/Screening

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 18:29:37 UTC

Participants will be informed about the Roots of Well-Being group through bilingual flyers, brochures, and personal consultations, as well as referrals from primary care physicians at Uplifting Family Practice. Readiness and willingness to participate will be assessed with a short pre-group questionnaire and an individual screening session, where goals, comfort level, and coping skills will be discussed in culturally sensitive language that frames participation as strength. Screenings will be conducted individually to ensure privacy, explain group expectations, and identify whether participants require services beyond the scope of the group. Final selection will prioritize men who demonstrate openness, commitment, and respect for confidentiality, creating a safe, balanced group environment that fosters support and growth.

Informed Consent

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 18:38:32 UTC

At Uplifting Family Practice, all counseling participants must provide informed consent prior to participation. Informed consent ensures that participants understand the purpose, goals, potential risks, and expected responsibilities of the group before agreeing to join. Although parental consent and student assent are required for minors in educational settings, this group is designed for adults, so the focus will be on written informed consent by the participant. In alignment with ethical standards such as the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2016) and the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), informed consent emphasizes voluntary participation, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw at any time without penalty. Participants will be reminded that group counseling is not a substitute for individual therapy and that some issues may require outside referral.

Group Ground Rules

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:00:26 UTC

I will provide group members with a written Participant Guidelines and Ground Rules handout at the first session. This resource outlines the expectations of group membership, including confidentiality, respect, and participation. Presenting this resource ensures that all participants have a clear understanding of how the group will function and what is expected of them. I will review these guidelines verbally at the beginning of the group, encourage discussion, and invite participants to contribute their own ideas so that the rules feel collaborative and respected.

Group Dynamics

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:14:17 UTC

Stage 1: The first stage of group dynamics focuses on building relationships and trust. To accomplish this, I will begin with introductions and an icebreaker activity such as the “Object Association Journey” to encourage openness and connection. During this stage, I will also review the Participant Guidelines and Ground Rules, which cover confidentiality, respect, attendance, and the right to pass. Following recommendations from Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators (2015), I will invite members to add their own expectations to help create ownership and accountability. Confidentiality will be discussed in depth, including its limits such as risk of harm, abuse, or legal obligations. Participants will be reminded that while confidentiality is an expectation, it cannot be fully guaranteed, and all members will sign a written agreement to reinforce this understanding.

Stage 2: In the second stage, the working stage, the focus shifts to maintaining unity and helping members progress toward their goals. I will facilitate culturally relevant discussions, such as exploring machismo, balancing work and family life, and practicing emotional regulation, which will allow members to connect on shared experiences. To maintain productivity, each session will include clear objectives and practical coping strategies such as CBT techniques, mindfulness, and emotional mapping. As Missouri’s small group counseling guide emphasizes, structure and active participation are essential for successful outcomes. I will also include end-of-session reflections and mid-group assessments to gauge member progress and adjust pacing or topics as needed.

Stage 3: The final stage is group termination, which can be challenging for members. I plan to dedicate this stage to reflection on growth, challenges, and feelings about closure. Activities such as writing a “Letter to My Future Self” will help reinforce what participants have learned and provide them with a tangible reminder of their goals. To reduce feelings of abandonment, I will provide culturally relevant resources such as referrals to local counselors, support groups, and hotlines for ongoing support. It will also be important to reinforce that confidentiality continues after the group ends, a point highlighted in Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators’ (2015) guide. By combining structured closure activities with continued support, members can leave the group feeling confident in their progress and hopeful for the future.

Leadership Style

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:23:22 UTC

When working with the Roots of Well-Being group, I believe I would primarily use a participative leadership style blended with elements of transformational leadership. A participative approach would allow group members, Hispanic blue-collar men who often face cultural and societal pressures, to feel included in shaping the direction of the group. By encouraging collaboration in setting norms and contributing ideas, members gain a sense of ownership, which is especially important in reducing stigma around help-seeking and building trust. I also see value in incorporating transformational leadership. This style emphasizes inspiration, vision, and empowerment, which aligns with the group’s goals of reframing masculinity, strengthening coping skills, and embracing self-awareness. Using a transformational approach allows me to model vulnerability, highlight growth, and motivate group members to see participation as a sign of strength rather than weakness. Together, these styles fit the unique needs of this population. A participative style promotes equality and mutual respect, while a transformational approach provides the encouragement and cultural sensitivity necessary to break through barriers like machismo, workplace stress, and stigma. By combining both, I can guide the group with structure and vision, while still empowering members to lead their own growth.

Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:37:06 UTC

Yalom’s therapeutic factors highlight how growth occurs in groups. In the Roots of Well-Being sessions, I can see the factors listed below with helping Hispanic blue-collar men facing machismo, work stress, and discrimination to build hope, realize they are not alone, and strengthen coping skills together.

Instillation of Hope – Seeing the group begin builds belief in positive change.

Universality – Members realize they are not alone in their struggles.

Imparting of Information – Learning about cultural expectations and emotional suppression.

Existential Reflection – Exploring personal responsibility and redefining masculinity.

Altruism – Sharing strategies to support one another.

Interpersonal Learning – Practicing healthier boundaries and communication.

Direct Advice – Offering and receiving practical coping techniques.

Imitative Behavior – Modeling effective problem-solving from peers.

Catharsis – Safely expressing suppressed emotions.

Ethical Requirements

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:48:14 UTC

Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement in group counseling. According to the ASCA and ASGW Ethical Standards, counselors must explain the limits of confidentiality such as danger to self/others, abuse, or legal obligations and emphasize that while confidentiality is expected of all group members, it cannot be fully guaranteed.

How this supports my role:

By setting clear expectations and revisiting confidentiality throughout the Roots of Well-Being sessions, I can create a safe environment where group members feel comfortable sharing openly. This trust is critical for participants who may already feel hesitant due to cultural stigma surrounding help-seeking.

Legal & Ethical Requirements

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 19:49:33 UTC

Informed consent is both a legal and ethical requirement. The Texas Administrative Code and ACA Code of Ethics require counselors to obtain informed consent prior to participation, ensuring members understand the group’s purpose, risks, benefits, structure, and their right to withdraw at any time.

How this supports my role:

Providing informed consent empowers participants by giving them choice and transparency. In the Roots of Well-Being group, informed consent reduces stigma, builds trust, and clarifies expectations, which is especially important for adult participants who may be new to the counseling process.

References

minniemacias — 2025-09-14 20:16:05 UTC

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Author. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2014). ASCA mindsets & behaviors for student success: K–12 college- and career-readiness standards for every student. American School Counselor Association. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/mindsets-behaviors.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. Author. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups.

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. (2022). Texas administrative code, Title 22, Part 30, Chapter 681: Rules relating to professional counselors. Texas Secretary of State. https://texreg.sos.state.tx.use