Group Counseling in Schools

1
Group Counseling in Schools

• Dr. Steve Rainey
• Kent State University

2
Types of Groups in Schools

• Social Skills
• Study Skills
• Anger Management
• Divorce
• Grief

3
Advantages of Groups in Schools (Schmidt)

• Can practice new behaviors in safe environment
• Students relate better to peers than to an adult
  one-on-one
• Groups offer a sense of belonging
• Students can participate at a comfortable level
  for them
• Groups are an efficient use of the counselors
  time

4
Difficulties of Groups in Schools

• Increased time to develop trust
• Scheduling (especially at high school level)
• Getting support of administration
• Getting support of teaching staff
• Getting support of parents
• Some issues may be too sensitive
• Difficult members
• Counselor must handle more complex counseling
  than individual counseling

5
Ethical Issues

• Confidentiality
• Counselor Competence
• Protection from Harm
• Dual Relationships
• Socializing among Members
• Informed Consent

6
Confidentiality (exceptions)

• All the same as individual counseling
• Harm to self and others
• Abuse situations
• Etc.
• Cannot guarantee confidentiality in groups
• The counselor should strongly encourage
  confidentiality with each member at member
  selection, 1st meeting, and all subsequent
  meetings

7
Counselor Competence

• Section B of ASGW Best Practice Guidelines
• Self knowledge
• Group competencies
• Group plan adaptation
• Therapeutic conditions and dynamics
• Meaning
• Collaboration evaluation
• Diversity
• Ethical surveillance

8
Protection from Harm

• ACA codes A,9,b.
• Protect clients from potential harm caused by
  other group members (ganging up, scapegoating,
  etc)

9
Dual Relationships

• What are issues for school counselors?
• Individual counseling with group members.
• Outside school relationship (church, synagogue,
  neighborhood, etc.)

10
Socializing among Members

• This is inappropriate in therapy groups in the
  community.
• Is this always inappropriate in a school?
• In what situations and group types might
  socializing be appropriate?
• In what situations and group types might
  socializing be inappropriate?

11
Informed Consent

• This is a MUST in schools.
• Small groups are outside the scope of services
  offered by the school counselor where implied
  consent would apply
• Provide to students and parents
• Be sure to let your principal know all of the
  information in your informed consent PRIOR to any
  group development

12
Informed Consent Contents

• Confidentiality and exceptions
• Theoretical orientation
• Nature, purpose, and goals of the group
• Group services that can be provided
• Role and responsibility of members
• Role and responsibility of the group leader

13
Informed Consent Contents

• Leader qualifications
• License/certification
• Qualifications for certain type of group
• Contact information
• For counselor
• For school