Questions and Topics We Can Help You To Answer:
Paper Instructions:

Group Counseling Plan 

Students will choose a group counseling topic they would like to research and for which they will develop a six-week group framework plan. Sample topics could include:

1. Grief counseling
2. Self-esteem building
3. Conflict resolution
4. Social skills
5. Interpersonal communication
6. School achievement skills
7. Decision making (college/career focus)
8. School transitions
9. Addictions
10. Parenting education

Students will specify the population for whom the group is tailored. Students will research effective small group intervention plans for this topic and population. Students will then design (in outline form) a 6-week,small group counseling plan based on this research. The student will present this information to the class (the presentation should be 15 to 20 minutes in duration and include a PowerPoint and handout that incorporates the Group Counseling Plan.

The outline of this group counseling plan will include the following sections:

1. Introduction
Is this topic more appropriate for small or large group? Highlight why individual counseling wasn’t chosen.What is your specific population of focus for this group? (e.g., court mandated clients, children who have lost a loved one, adolescents with school difficulties, couples, etc.)

2. Characteristics of Group Leaders
What group leader characteristics are necessary for successful group facilitation? How does the type and formulation of the group impact your group leader selection and facilitation?

3. Culturally Relevant Strategies for Designing and Facilitating Groups
How do cultural and diversity factors impact development and facilitation of your group? What steps have you taken to insure these strategies are in place?

4. Research
What does the research suggest as effective interventions for this population?What does the research show was ineffective for working with this population?

5. Group Counseling Plan
Clearly outline at least 6 sessions for the group. Include the following for each session:
Objectives for each session
Materials needed for each session
Step-by-step instructions for leading the lessons, including process questions the leader should ask with the activities
Any additional materials (e.g., worksheets, handouts) the leader will need

6. Recommendations
In addition to the group, what (if anything) should the counselor do to ensure that the client’s needs are met in this topic area? What would you recommend to counselors planning to lead this group? What ethical considerations and multicultural competencies should be integrated into the group?

7. References
APA style is required. At least 5 professional references must be used (no websites or self-help books )

Rubric: Must meet all Exceeded Criteria:

Exceeded Criteria

1.Introduction: Student gave a clear introduction that covers the appropriateness of the topic for small/large group,why the topic is not appropriate for individual counseling, and the population that is the focus of this group counseling group. The introduction was thorough and gave specific details on the population chosen

2.Research Support & References: Student clearly described what he/she found in a thorough literature review on the topic for the group intervention. The student explained specific research studies and evidence-based curriculum that have been proven to meet needs of the targeted group population. At least 5 of the references were professional (e.g., refereed journal articles, textbooks). There were no APA style errors in reference listing.

3.Group Plan: The Group Plan was thorough and includes:
An outline for at least 6 group meetings
Objectives for each meeting
Materials needed
Step-by-step instructions for leading the lesson
Process questions the leader should ask during the activities
Any additional materials the leader will need
Methods to measure whether or not the group was effective
The description of the group plan is thorough.The methods to measure accountability include perception data(e.g. pretest/posttest) & results data (e.g., GPA,attendance, etc.)

4.Recommendations: The student clearly described recommendations for the counselor leading the group counseling group. The student expertly outlined ethical considerations and multicultural competent strategies for working with diverse populations and integrated them into their working group plan.These recommendations were practical and considered a wide variety of obstacles to running the group counseling group.