https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy Katie Nichol-Owens. EDG 6321: Group Counseling en-us 2023-09-11 23:50:04 UTC 2023-09-17 21:48:51 UTC hello@padlet.com knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698302192 The name of this support group is Rainbow Roundtable. This group will provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students who have experienced bullying or harassment. It will be open to high school students between 14 and 18. This specific session will provide LGBTQ+ students with tools to manage their feelings regarding their experiences using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Some methods that can be effective for these students include progressive muscle relaxation, relaxed breathing, cognitive restructuring, and role-playing (Pietrangelo, 2019). ]]> 2023-09-12 00:21:12 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698302192 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698331143 By the end of this course, students will master:
"B-LS 1. Critical thinking skills to make informed decisions
B-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career, and social/emotional goals
B-LS 9. Decision-making informed by gathering evidence, getting others' perspectives and recognizing personal bias
B-SMS 1. Responsibility for self and actions
B-SMS 2. Self-discipline and self-control
B-SMS 3. Independent work
B-SMS 5. Perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals
B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers
B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills
B-SMS 9. Personal safety skills
B-SS 1. Effective oral and written communication skills and learning skills
B-SS 2. Positive, respectful, and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from the. 
B-SS 4. Empathy
B-SS 5. Ethical decision-making and social responsibility
B-SS 6. Effective collaboration and cooperation skills
B-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary
B-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment"]]> 2023-09-12 00:38:09 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698331143 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698344473 To disseminate this information, I would approach students who may benefit from the group directly. I would give them a consent form for their parents to sign granting them permission to participate in the small group. I would also email teachers, administrators, and counselors to give them information regarding the group as it would allow them to refer students who may benefit. ]]> 2023-09-12 00:46:46 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698344473 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698370472 To determine if students meet the requirements of the group, the counselor will collaborate with teachers, counselors, and administrators to identify potential students who may benefit from the small group. Students who meet the preliminary criteria will receive personal invitations through scheduled meetings with the counselor to discuss the logistics, purpose, and expectations of the group. Students will participate in an individual interview to determine if they meet the criteria, gauge interest in participation, and determine willingness to cooperate with expectations. If the student is willing to participate, has the ability to meet expectations, has not experienced a conflict that may prevent participation, and appears motivated to commit they will be selected to join the group. Students will be notified if they have been selected via email. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:04:15 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698370472 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698376216 Kerrville ISD states that they will not conduct a psychological evaluation without prior written parental consent unless legally required by special education rules or in child abuse investigations. Parents have a right to review all instructional materials before the beginning of the course, remove their students from instruction without penalty, become involved in curriculum development, and use the district's grievance process. The district will not provide mental health care service to a student or conduct a medical screening without written consent from a parent or guardian unless the law requires it. Schools must obtain consent to display a student's work. Schools cannot video, audio record, or photograph a student without consent. Parents must be given a preview of the campus's school counseling program prior to participation. Campuses must obtain written consent from parents or guardians in order for students to receive services. Any information excluded from the consent form is prohibited. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:08:17 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698376216 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698376735 Students will be introduced to the ground rules prior to the start of the group. The rules in the attachment will be set forth by the counselor, but participants will be given an opportunity to present any additional rules they feel would make them more comfortable. The group will decide on additional rules together. They will then participate in a discussion regarding the guidelines and they will be asked to sign a document agreeing to the rules and expectations. If any student does not agree to the rules, they will not be allowed to participate. Students will be reminded of the expectations and rules at the beginning of each group session. Minor infractions will be handled as necessary. Excessive or major violations of the ground rules will not be tolerated. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:08:40 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698376735 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698383453 Stage 1 - First and foremost, I would begin by discussing confidentiality with students. I would state that it cannot be guaranteed, but that it is vital to the process. I would also explain that there are limitations to confidentiality if I feel anyone at any point is in danger or the law requires reporting. This would help create a safe and trusting space for the participants. I would then discuss informed consent with the group. Next, I would introduce the ground rules and expectations of the group. Participants will have an opportunity to collaborate and agree on additional rules that would make them feel comfortable. I would then have the group members participate in a few icebreaker activities and trust exercises. Additionally, the ground rules in the previous slide will help ensure a safe place for all participants. I would also have all members participate in a pre-assessment to monitor the effectiveness of the group.  

Stage 2 - I would always begin by reiterating rules, expectations, consent, and confidentiality. Additionally, I would introduce the topic and the purpose of each session. As the ground rules state, I would ensure that all participants have an equal opportunity to share and that they are not interrupted during their turn. If any conflicts arise at any point, I would mediate the situation and help the parties work through it. However, I would not tolerate disrespect in the group. I would also check in and give students an opportunity to individually discuss anything that they may not feel comfortable sharing with the group. I would also have them complete a brief assessment for each session to monitor progress and check for concerns.

Stage 3 - With each closure of the group, I would give them an assignment to work on or think about before the next session. I would close with a reminder about confidentiality and ensuring that everything said in the group remains in the group. I would do a "temperature check" to see how each member is feeling at the end of the group. If anyone requires further attention, I would discuss it with them individually. With the closure of the group as a whole, I would have students participate in a post-assessment to understand the effectiveness of the group. I would continue to follow up with students individually to ensure they are still feeling seen and safe. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:12:55 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698383453 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698384886 When working with this group, I would use the participative leadership style. As the rules of this group allow everyone to participate equally, the democratic leadership style would be the most effective. This style allows group members to participate and take accountability for their growth. However, I would still be leading and facilitating the process.
I would also utilize the transformational leadership style as this topic is highly sensitive and I want participants to know that I am here to support them. I feel this style would be most effective for making them feel safe and comfortable in the group. I utilize this style in my current profession as a teacher and it has allowed me to build healthy relationships with my students. Therefore, I believe that it would be beneficial to lead this group, as well. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:13:46 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698384886 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698386492 I believe that the instillation of hope would be beneficial to this group as all members are dealing with similar issues that are highly sensitive. Since many of these members would be dealing with bullying and/or harassment, the instillation of hope would help them cope. I also believe that universality is important to this group because LGBTQ+ students can often feel isolated or alone with their identity and problems. Universality can allow them to understand that others experience the same issues as them. I could also envision altruism as being effective for these students as they may be able to identify a purpose in helping others in the group. If they can help others, they may feel useful in their role in the group even as they are growing personally. Development of socializing techniques would also be relevant to this group as they would learn skills for communicating their feelings and advocating for themselves and others. If there are group members present who exhibit healthier coping mechanisms and behaviors than others, imitative behavior may be useful to those who are not able to handle their issues as effectively. Direct advice would also be present in the Rainbow Roundtable as I would be giving advice, coping mechanisms, and tools to manage feelings and behaviors. Finally, interpersonal learning would be present in this group as they would work together and collaborate. As all members would participate, they would receive feedback from others and understand experiences from different perspectives. ]]> 2023-09-12 01:14:46 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698386492 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698467139 The Texas Education Code  § 33.003 states that "each school district shall adopt guidelines to ensure that written consent is obtained from the parent, legal guardian, or person entitled to enroll the student under Section 25.001 (j) for the student to participate in those activities for which the district requires parental consent" (para. 4). This code indicates that in order for students to participate in this group, counselors must follow district and legal guidelines to ensure that they obtain written consent from the student's parent or guardian. Students who do not obtain written consent for Rainbow Roundtable will not be permitted to participate. ]]> 2023-09-12 02:02:21 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698467139 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698468015 The American School Counselor Association (2019) states that school counselors will "provide support for students, including individual and small-group counseling, during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situation impeding student success" (p. 5). The students involved in this group are dealing with heightened stress, which has the potential to prevent their success. Rainbow Roundtable is intended to provide students with the skills they need to manage their feelings and behaviors, which will allow them to focus on their academics. Therefore, this group is necessary to promote social, emotional, and academic success for LGBTQ+ students.]]> 2023-09-12 02:02:54 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698468015 knicholowens https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698468900 2023-09-12 02:03:28 UTC https://padlet.com/knicholowens/thjzfmajh5lc6hwy/wish/2698468900