1. Has the student shown improvement with managing their test anxiety?

0 1 2 3

2. Have you noticed the student’s confidence improved since completing group counseling? 0 1 2 3 3. Has the student’s grades improved since completing group counseling?

0 1 2 3

4. Has the student’s moods improved since completing group counseling?

0 1 2 3

5. Do you think the student should continue to attend group counseling sessions for test anxiety?

0 1 2 3

The leadership style for Worry Warriors is Participative. The group is lead by the counselor, but is also navigated by the student participants. The counselor will guide the group with the focus each week, as well as strategies for goal progress, but the students’ discussions and level of interest when participating will determine the outcome of each session.

After the completion of Worry Warriors, students will be prepared with the following mindsets and behaviors based on the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies.

Mindset:

Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being (ASCA,2021).

Behaviors:
Self Managing Skills
B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills

B-SMS 10. Ability to manage transitions and adapt to change

Social Skills
B-SS 2. Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from them 

B-SS 4. Empathy

B-SS 6. Effective collaboration and cooperation skills

B-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment

(ASCA, 2021).

Before a student can participate in Worry Warriors group counseling, a signed parent consent form is required. The counselor will contact the parent and student to determine the student's level of interest and willingness to participate.

The survey will consist of six questions, in which the adult will rate the response with 0-3, (0- No, 1- Very little, 2- Somewhat, 3- Yes).

1. Does test anxiety affect the student’s grades?

0   1   2   3

2. Has test anxiety affected the student’s attendance?

0   1   2   3

3. Has test anxiety affected the student’s emotions (displaying signs of increased anger, sadness, or anxiety)? 

0   1   2   3

4. Has test anxiety affected the student’s academic behavior (not participating in class or completing their work)?

0   1   2   3

5. Has test anxiety affected the student’s eating habits (eating less or more than usual)?

0   1   2   3

6. Has test anxiety affected the student’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities?

0   1   2   3

1. Are you willing to participate in group projects?

No    Maybe    Yes

2. Are you willing to talk about your feelings in a small group with other students?

No    Maybe    Yes

3. Are you willing to work with other students in the group?

No    Maybe    Yes

4. Are you willing to listen to others and share personal stories?

No    Maybe    Yes

5. Are you willing to play games with the group?

No    Maybe    Yes

Introductions

The first counseling session for Worry Warriors will set the tone for the next six weeks of group counseling. The first session is designed to introduce all students in a positive and respectful manner, as well as lay the ground rules for expectations and confidentiality with the group commitment poster. This activity will allow each student in the group to feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings about struggling with test anxiety.

Stage 2

Goal Setting

Each week the group will go over discussions, skills learned, coping strategies, and rules and expectations so that continuous progress can be made toward each students’ goals. Students will have time to share their progress with the group each week. A goal log will be kept for each student to track their own progress. I will check their tracker at the end of each session.

Stage 3

Group Closure

The group closure will reflect on growth and achievement for members of the group. Students are encouraged to check in with each other to offer support and kindness. I will monitor grades and will check in with students on a periodic basis, depending on how well they are able to use their coping strategies and their level of progress dealing with test anxiety. A post survey will be asked of the teacher or parent who referred the student. The survey assesses the student’s level of ability to deal or resolve their issue with test anxiety. If a student is showing little or no progress, an outside referral may be offered to the parent.

Instillation of Hope: By the end of the 6-week group sessions, all counseling objectives will be met.

Universality: Students will support one another during group sessions. They will encourage each other while also working toward overcoming test anxiety for themselves.

Altruism: Students will encourage each other while also working toward overcoming test anxiety for themselves.

Interpersonal Learning: Students will have the opportunity to share and offer positive feedback to group members.

The Texas Administrative Code contains principal standards that are required by the school counselor to sustain while conducting their counseling program. Standard 3C focuses on the importance of using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs in a small group setting. I will use appropriate counseling techniques that encourage student social and emotional growth regularly.

American Counseling Association (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics.

https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2021). The ASCAMindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College-and Career Readiness for Every Student describe.

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Koch, S. (2020, February). School counselors are school leaders. School Counselors Are School Leaders - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Newsletters/March-2020/School-Counselors-are-School-Leaders?st=NE 

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy

(4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.