Hello!
I am very excited to share that I will be starting Small Groups Counseling next week! Please look out for the informed consent form in your child's backpack to sign and send back with them! After looking at the data from the Campus and Community Needs Assessment, I will be starting groups on: Friendship, Conflict Resolution, and Worry. Small groups are a great way for children to interact with others their own age and share common concerns. Students will see they are not alone with their feelings and experiences. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns if you receive an informed consent form. These groups will meet once a month until Winter Break. After Winter Break new groups and topics will be formed and hopefully meet twice a month.
Benefits of Group Counseling
If you have never experienced it, you may wonder what group counseling is. At some point in our lives, nearly all of us face a situation or event that can be challenging to deal with. Whether it’s during this time or years after, coping can sometimes be easier said than done. However, once we begin talking with others, we realize that we are not as alone with our problems as we thought we were. This, however, is only the beginning of how beneficial group counseling really can be for those that need it. Let’s look at four of the top benefits this type of counseling has to offer.
Self-Awareness
Not only is group counseling a great way to help you cope with traumatic or difficult events or situations, it is also a great way to learn more about yourself. This type of counseling offers people with a safe and confidential environment to learn and share. Experiences in this setting help to encourage change while connecting with others in similar circumstances.
Insightful Feedback
Sharing with others in a group setting enables you to receive feedback from others that may be sharing the same feelings and experiences that you have. Seeing how others handle their coping issues not only provides you with support but also a different perspective that perhaps you never considered.
Motivation
By being surrounded by others that are striving to cope, you are provided with motivation to strive, learn, and heal. Having others around you with a common goal can make the healing process much faster than with traditional individual counseling sessions. Additionally, you will be surrounded by others that care about your progress and are willing to help, and more importantly, understand you. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, many feel closer to those in their group in only a short amount of time.
Social Skills
While learning or honing social skills is not the primary focus of group counseling, it is a pleasant side effect that comes with this form of counseling. While most will feel some anxiety during their first group session, attendees tend to feel more comfortable as the sessions continue and many even feel a sense of relief. Just keep in mind that these improved feelings and emotions do not typically come about right away. However, with patience and sharing at a comfortable pace, attendees gradually build upon their comfort levels.
