Initiative Description: Small group counseling program. The choices of small counseling group topics were based on information provided by a needs assessment completed by parents in the spring of the prior school year. The topics were anger management, changing families, friendship, social skills, grief, and an “other” category. The groups were structured into 8 to 10 counseling sessions depending on the progression of the members through the group. The school counselor used activities including bibliotherapy, communication strategies, artwork, role-play, modeling, and a board game to facilitate the groups.

Study Results: Eighteen of 24 (75%) students who participated reported displaying a greater number of positive learning behaviors in the classroom, and 18 of 24 (75%) of the students’ teachers reported that student learning behaviors had improved following the small counseling group intervention.

Reference: Steen, S., & Kaffenberger, C. J. (2007). Integrating academic interventions into small group counseling in elementary school. Professional School Counseling, 10(5), 516- 519.

Level of Evidence: Good