New Horizons by Lauryn Powell

New Horizons Counseling Group

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:20:39 UTC

The group name is “New Horizons” because the students in this group are making a fresh start this school year and looking toward the future with a new positive outlook. This group will support 5th-grade students who range from eleven to twelve years old.

The students in this group have been retained and have low self-esteem. The group topic that will be addressed is developing strong self-worth, a positive mindset, and resilience by helping students recognize their strengths, celebrate their progress, and recognize that challenges are opportunities for growth.

ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:21:15 UTC

The following mindset and behavior standards will be mastered upon completion of this group:

M 3. Positive attitude toward work and learning

M 4. Self-confidence in ability to succeed

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

Publicity

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:21:45 UTC

To advertise for this group, personal invitations will be sent to the families of those students who fall into the category of this group (retained 5th graders). They will be personalized letters introducing the program, outlining its goals, and encouraging parents to support their child’s participation. Because this group is exclusive to 5th-grade students, the information will be presented to the 5th-grade teachers during their PLC meeting time. The purpose of the group and the outcomes expected will be explained and referral forms will be given out.

Pre-Group Interview and Screening

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:22:08 UTC

The screening process for this group will begin with receiving teacher referrals. The group will then meet to have a group screening with those who might benefit from this small group. The counselor will first inform the students about the group and explain the expectations. After that, the counselor will ask the students if they are willing to participate and identify those who are. Students will be allowed to ask clarifying questions during this time.

Informed Consent

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:22:24 UTC

Once the counselor has established who would like to participate in the "New Horizons" group, a parental consent form will be sent home. Although the parents of 5th-grade retained students received a personalized invitation, the counselor will also send home a flyer explaining the times the students would be pulled, the frequency of when the group meets, and the group goals and expectations. A consent form will also be provided to students in the group.

Group Rules

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:23:35 UTC

The following rules will be established for this group:

Be respectful of each other's thoughts and feelings.
What is said in the group remains in the group.
Be open-minded and positive.

The rules above will be established by the counselor and then the group will come up with two more together.

The attached PDF can be used to gauge how group members view the rules listed on them.

Group Dynamics

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:23:46 UTC

Stage one will focus on gaining trust between the counselor and the group members, as well as trust between peers in the group. The counselor will address confidentiality explaining what the group members all have in common (retained in 5th grade). This will hopefully help form a bond between group members that creates trust and confidentiality. Because this group is unique in the sense that they all went through the same thing, they will be able to lean on one another and build true relationships together.

Stage two will focus on group activities, role-playing, and games that will help unify the group and get them to make progress in their self-confidence goals. There will be an end-of-week check-in to determine if the group members are progressing. There will also be open discussions about group members’ feelings and how they can relate to each other.

Stage three will focus on reflection as the group comes to a close. Students will create a reflection journal during the last week of group meetings to explain what they have learned and how their outlook on themselves has changed. The group will also create goals moving forward and present them to the group in a celebration of self-confidence and the ability to look toward a brighter future. A follow-up plan will be made with the counselor and the teacher. The counselor will plan to check in at the end of each six weeks with the child and the teacher separately to determine if they are still following their goals and working hard to reach them.

Leadership Style

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:24:01 UTC

The leadership style presented to this group will be the participative leadership style. This leadership style creates a supportive and encouraging environment while students are still able to express their feelings and have productive group discussions. With this leadership style, students will remain motivated, feel safe, and feel empowered.

Therapeutic Factors

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:24:46 UTC

The following therapeutic factors will be used in this group:

Universality will be used for this group because everyone in this group was placed here for the same reason. This therapeutic factor encompasses the feeling that they are not alone in what they are going through. Each group member is facing the same challenges of repeating a grade and having low self-esteem. This will help build connections within the group.
Instillation of Hope will also be used for this group. The students in this group are feeling down, have a negative self-concept, and do not feel that they can reach their academic goals. This therapeutic factor can encourage a positive outlook, share their goals and how they've reached them, and foster a growth mindset.

Legal Requirements

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:25:17 UTC

According to the Texas Education Code, school counselors must obtain parental consent for students to participate in activities where the district requires consent (2 TEC § 33.003).

This supports me in my role because it helps me as a school counselor seek out and learn about specific guidelines my district puts into place for counseling. I will be able to follow my district protocol when pulling small groups.

Ethical Requirements

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:25:25 UTC

According to the American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards, school counselors should "Provide opportunities for all students to develop a positive attitude toward learning, effective learning strategies, self-management and social skills and an understanding that lifelong learning is part of long-term career success" (2022, Section A.4.d.).

This supports my counseling by knowing what is expected of me in my small group sessions with my students. It outlines the goals I will need to obtain before our meetings conclude.

References

lpowell18_1 — 2025-02-16 21:25:44 UTC

School Counselors and Counseling Programs, 2 Tex. Edu. Code § 33.002-33.007

Cherry, K. (2023, June 27). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

American School Counselor Association. (2024). ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)

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.
SmallGroupCounseling.pdf

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.

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