Student Type
Graduate
College Affiliation
College of Education and Human Services
Department
Counseling, School Emphasis
Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
This paper describes a six-session small-group intervention with a targeted group of African-American 11th-grade girls who attend high school in an affluent suburban district. The sessions were designed to enhance students' confidence in building positive relationships with teachers by using coping and negotiation skills. The group session topics are described, and outcomes are assessed. Challenges unique to the group setting and in implementation are addressed. Group work has been recognized as a particularly relevant intervention for African-American youth. The small group format allows the facilitator to more easily connect with the participants and tailor topics to the specific needs of the group. (Havlik, et al. 2019). Group counseling as an intervention for adolescents is effective and appropriate, as it allows for the building of hope around shared goals and provides the sense of community needed for most adolescents. Groups provide a safe space for youth to learn from one another and practice life skills. The school setting is a logical venue for group work, with an accessible population and a supportive staff who can identify group topic needs and refer students accordingly. Further implications include acknowledging the challenges of implementing this intervention on a regular basis.
Recommended Citation
Martin, Raychelle and Patterson-Mills, Sarah M., "Sister Circle" (2023). 2023 Student Academic Showcase. 12.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/src_2023/Posters/Session1/12
Included in
Sister Circle
This paper describes a six-session small-group intervention with a targeted group of African-American 11th-grade girls who attend high school in an affluent suburban district. The sessions were designed to enhance students' confidence in building positive relationships with teachers by using coping and negotiation skills. The group session topics are described, and outcomes are assessed. Challenges unique to the group setting and in implementation are addressed. Group work has been recognized as a particularly relevant intervention for African-American youth. The small group format allows the facilitator to more easily connect with the participants and tailor topics to the specific needs of the group. (Havlik, et al. 2019). Group counseling as an intervention for adolescents is effective and appropriate, as it allows for the building of hope around shared goals and provides the sense of community needed for most adolescents. Groups provide a safe space for youth to learn from one another and practice life skills. The school setting is a logical venue for group work, with an accessible population and a supportive staff who can identify group topic needs and refer students accordingly. Further implications include acknowledging the challenges of implementing this intervention on a regular basis.