Balanced Women: Stress Less, Live More by Brooke Pozzi

Balanced Women: Stress Less, Live More

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-07 21:27:59 UTC

Women between the ages of 20 and 35 who find it difficult to balance work, family, and personal responsibilities are welcome to join our private therapy group. Stress from life changes like beginning a profession, managing money, navigating relationships, or having children can affect one's physical and mental health. In order to improve resilience and general health, this group offers a secure environment for sharing experiences, learning coping strategies, and picking up scientifically supported stress-reduction tactics. Included in the attached PDF is the Module 3 Small Group Action Plan, which outlines the group's objectives, organization, and methods of implementation.

Participant Goals and Skills

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 18:07:53 UTC

This session will focus on helping participants cultivate specific mindsets and behaviors that support well-being and personal development. Participants in the program will exhibit greater empathy and self-awareness toward others and themselves. In addition to developing social skills that foster more robust support networks, they will experience and implement coping mechanisms that enable them to handle stressors in healthier ways. And lastly, participants will learn how to make choices that promote health, balance, and resilience in many facets of life. These results show important life skills that participants can apply outside of the group setting in their everyday lives. (Neff & Germer, 2017).

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 18:48:01 UTC

Publicity

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 18:54:00 UTC

Multiple methods will be used to spread the word about the Balanced Women organization to guarantee awareness and involvement. While email alerts will be sent to prospective participants, flyers and posters will be distributed in community centers, workplaces, and health programs. Women who match the qualifying requirements may also get personal invitations, and group information will be included in staff meetings and newspapers. The program's multi-channel strategy guarantees that women who stand to gain from it are informed about the opportunity and know how to get involved.

Pre-Group Interview

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 18:58:34 UTC

Before joining, participants will receive information about the group's goals, standards, and confidentiality policies. Individual interviews, which will include inquiries about present stressors, coping mechanisms, and attendance commitment, will evaluate participants' preparedness, willingness, and fit for the group. Pre-group screening keeps the group dynamic coherent and encouraging while guaranteeing that every participant can get the most out of the program.

Informed Consent

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 19:10:20 UTC

Before the group begins, each participant will be asked for their informed consent. A formal consent document outlining the group's goals, procedures, and activities, as well as any restrictions on confidentiality and the freedom to leave at any moment without consequence, will be given to each participant. Parental consent is not necessary because all participants are adults between the ages of 20 and 35. Getting informed consent helps participants understand their rights and duties within the group, assures ethical practice, and fosters transparency. For reference, a copy of the consent form will be included.

Ground Rules

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 19:16:09 UTC

To ensure that everyone may participate in a courteous and safe environment, ground rules will be set. Predetermined guidelines include being on time, participating fully, respecting the experiences of other members, and keeping confidentiality within the bounds of the law. Members will also work together to create other guidelines, such as respecting different viewpoints, giving constructive criticism, and actively listening. Throughout the group meetings, these rules promote safety, trust, and meaningful participation.

Three Stages of Group Dynamics

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 19:24:40 UTC

The group will go through three stages of development. Establishing standards and fostering trust are the main goals of stage 1, which also includes limiting secrecy and introducing activities that promote interaction. Stage 2 has a strong emphasis on cohesive functioning, where participants use stress-reduction tactics, coping mechanisms, and peer support to meet learning objectives. In Stage 3, participants are given the opportunity to evaluate their progress, strengthen their abilities, and make plans for their continued wellness outside of the group. At every step, facilitators will keep an eye on participation, offer direction, and reaffirm mutual support and confidentiality.

Leadership Styles

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 19:29:46 UTC

Instead of using directive control, the group will employ a collaborative and supportive leadership style that prioritizes empathy, active listening, and direction. This method promotes independence, group problem-solving, and peer assistance. To create an atmosphere where participants are encouraged to share experiences, acquire useful coping mechanisms, and successfully implement them in their everyday lives, the facilitator will find a balance between structure and flexibility.

Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 20:00:42 UTC

The structure and results of the group will be guided by Yalom's therapeutic variables. By acknowledging that others encounter comparable difficulties, participants will gain a sense of universality. They will also feel encouraged by witnessing their peers' advancements in stress management. Members will gain coping skills and resilience through knowledge sharing, compassion through helping other participants, and interpersonal learning through group interactions. Together, these elements foster emotional control, personal development, and self-assurance in handling pressures in life.

Legal Requirements

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 20:08:08 UTC

Counselors must adhere to ACA, ASCA, and ASGW ethical standards, as well as federal and state laws and organizational policies. Informed consent must be obtained, confidentiality must be maintained within legal bounds, and sessions must be properly documented. By taking these precautions, group counseling sessions are protected, and ethical and professional practice is guaranteed.

Ethical Requirements

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 20:17:57 UTC

Counselors are required by ethical standards to maintain ongoing professional development, exercise cultural competency, and create a safe, nondiscriminatory atmosphere. Counselors must maintain anonymity, make sure that processes are transparent, and step in if participants' well-being is in danger. Following these guidelines helps the counselor fulfill their responsibility to create a safe and productive group setting.

References

bpozzi1 — 2025-09-08 20:25:02 UTC

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

American Psychological Association. (2023). Stress in America 2023: A nation recovering, struggling, and changing. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2023/report

American School Counselor Association. (2014). Mindsets & behaviors for student success: K–12 college- and career-readiness standards for every student. https://schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/742bb3a9-0168-44c3-ba3c-91ec28c8c3c8/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Association for Specialists in Group Work. (2018). ASGW ethical standards for group work. https://www.asgw.org/ethical-standards

Böckle, J., Sander, L. B., Ganster, D., Baumeister, H., Ebert, D. D., & Lehr, D. (2025). Effectiveness of a 7-week minimally guided and unguided stress management intervention delivered through a mobile app in university students: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 25(1), Article 23399. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23399-4

Daltry, R. M. (2015). A case study: An ACT stress management group in a university counseling center. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 29(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2015.976076

Murray, E., Ward, L., & Maguire, R. (2024). Peer-led relaxation training for nursing students: A feasibility and acceptability study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 49, 64–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.04.008

Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2017). Self-compassion and psychological well-being in young adults. Journal of College Counseling, 20(2), 163–177. https://doi.org/10.1002/jocc.12036

PMHealthNP. (n.d.). Stages and Yalom's therapeutic forces. https://pmhealthnp.com/stages-and-yaloms-therapeutic-forces/

StudytheStars. (n.d.). Women supporting women [Poster]. Redbubble. https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/Women-Supporting-Women-by-studythestars/39068071.LVTDI

Yalom, I. D. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). Basic Books.