Counselors play a role on campus that reflects on safety, social-emotional learning, and behavioral support; they are held accountable for their role and duty requirements.  The Texas statutes state that school counselors shall work with the school faculty and staff, students, parents, and the community to plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program that conforms to the most recent edition of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs developed by the Texas Counseling Association (Texas Statutes, 2019).

The counselor will create an environment for participants to feel safe, remain professional, and hold themselves accountable to provide services. The counselor will earn trust by establishing a professional relationship and communicating. Monitoring participants' behavior and academics shows concern, and participants will trust anyone who goes the extra mile to ensure success. Counselors must maintain professionalism within themselves to create norms for participants to follow. The counselor must monitor and hold participants accountable consistently to all rules. The counselor must be firm, fair, and consistent throughout the process, encouraging participants to adhere to norms.  The norms are to be on time, respect each other, and maintain positive behavior. Rules of confidentiality and the severity of privacy will be explained. The counselor will explain how not following confidentiality can affect participants. If personal information about a participant is shared, it can discourage them from continuing treatment. Personal information can be used to bully a participant, especially in a school. The counselor will explain ways confidential information can be breached. If a participant shares information harmful to themselves or others, if the courts require it, confidentiality can be breached upon campus administrators' request.

Stage 2

The counselor must provide affirmations to motivate participants to build morale and maintain progress in and outside the session. The counselor will evaluate participants weekly and notify parents of progress, so students can feel productive and build trust. The counselor will create interactive activities attached to lessons to keep students engaged and working cohesively. I will have individual sessions with participants to give feedback on their progress and gauge the group. These sessions will be confidential between the counselor and participant. The participants provide feedback and share any concerns. This will allow participants to express themselves and the counselor to adjust support for the group.

Stage 3

The participants must finish small group counseling feeling achieved, which needs to be celebrated. They will be recognized for investing time in becoming a better version of themselves. After completion of treatment, students will receive a paper certificate of completion. Students will be recognized for personal attributes that they added to the group. The counselor will see if administrators can provide a small incentive upon completion. The counselor will provide participants with the benefits and expectations upon completion. The counselor will give participants a closure that will allow them to recognize the treatment they received and how it will help them in various facets of life.

Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. The guidelines require students to think positively about work and learning. This will allow students to be confident in their ability to succeed and develop high self-esteem. The standard for participants is to use their abilities to their highest potential. Also, participants must understand the importance of post-secondary education and how lifelong learning supports long-term success. Students must focus on solving problems so they can make better decisions. Participants are required to take responsibility for their actions for self-control and self-discipline. Participants must be able to adapt and overcome adversities. Participants' ambitions must be aligned with their future goals. Participants are expected to cope with situations effectively. Participants must maintain Positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with students who are similar and different from them. Participants must be prompt for every meeting scheduled. Participants must notify the counselor 24 hours before cancellation, or they will be unexcused. Participants must follow rules and cannot be involved in any incident on or outside campus that results in disciplinary action. The participant must have a written letter signed by the parent and administrator for early termination. Participants must not disclose any information or details discussed during the session with anyone. Participants must maintain academic standards in all classes.

https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

American School Counseling Association. (2022). School Counselor and Confidentiality

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Confidentiality

American School Counseling Association. (2020). School Counselor and Group Counseling. Summary.

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Group-Counseling

Texas Education Agency. (2001). Chapter 239. Student Services Certificates

https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules/sbec-rules-tac/sbec-tac-currently-in-effect/ch239a.pdf

Texas Education Code. (2019, December 1). Sec. 33.005.  COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS.  (a) 

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm