Lesson Plan
Tier 2 Group Counseling: Best Practices Lesson Plan
Clinical staff will strengthen their understanding of how to design and facilitate Tier 2 group counseling. They will practice strategies to improve group dynamics, scholar engagement, and measurable outcomes, and align documentation practices with compliance and network expectations.
Effective Tier 2 group counseling is crucial for providing targeted support to students with similar needs, leading to improved social-emotional learning and academic success. This training ensures our clinical staff are equipped with the latest best practices and compliance knowledge.
Audience
Clinical Staff
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive lecture, group discussion, and practical application exercises.
Prep
Preparation Steps
30 minutes
- Review the Tier 2 Group Counseling Slide Deck for content and flow.
- Print copies of the Group Counseling Best Practices Worksheet for each participant.
- Familiarize yourself with the Group Counseling Discussion Guide to facilitate engaging conversations.
- Prepare materials for the Cool Down: Reflecting on Group Best Practices activity.
- Ensure technology is set up for slide deck presentation (projector, computer, speakers if needed).
Step 1
Introduction and Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Welcome and Hook: Begin by welcoming participants and introducing the session's objectives. Use an engaging question to spark initial thought, e.g., 'What's one challenge you've faced in a group counseling setting?'
- Agenda Overview: Briefly review the agenda for the 60-minute session using Tier 2 Group Counseling Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
- Setting the Stage: Emphasize the importance of Tier 2 group counseling in supporting student needs and the goals of the session.
Step 2
Understanding Tier 2 Group Counseling
15 minutes
- Defining Tier 2: Use Tier 2 Group Counseling Slide Deck (Slide 3-4) to discuss the definition and purpose of Tier 2 group counseling within an MTSS framework, including the specific role of Tier 2 for at-risk scholars without IEPs.
- Key Components: Facilitate a brief discussion on the essential components of effective Tier 2 groups (e.g., structured curriculum, targeted skills, consistent membership). Refer to Group Counseling Discussion Guide for prompts.
- Group Design Principles: Present best practices for designing group sessions, including setting goals, selecting members, and planning activities (Slide 5-6).
Step 3
Strategies for Effective Facilitation
15 minutes
- Dynamic Strategies: Introduce strategies for improving group dynamics, such as fostering a safe environment, managing challenging behaviors, and promoting active listening. Use Tier 2 Group Counseling Slide Deck (Slide 7-8).
- Scholar Engagement: Discuss techniques for enhancing student engagement, including interactive activities, role-playing, and reflective prompts. Provide examples and encourage participants to share their own successful strategies.
- Measurable Outcomes: Explain the importance of setting measurable goals and tracking progress, especially within the 6-8 week timeframe for at-risk scholars. Introduce different methods for assessing group effectiveness (Slide 9). Distribute and work through a section of the Group Counseling Best Practices Worksheet focusing on objective setting.
Step 4
Documentation and Compliance
10 minutes
- Compliance Essentials: Review documentation best practices and how to align them with compliance and network expectations. Use Tier 2 Group Counseling Slide Deck (Slide 10-11).
- Practical Application: Discuss common pitfalls in documentation and strategies to avoid them. Encourage participants to ask questions related to specific documentation challenges.
Step 5
Q&A and Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Open Forum: Dedicate time for participants to ask any remaining questions or share final thoughts.
- Cool Down Activity: Distribute the Cool Down: Reflecting on Group Best Practices and allow participants a few minutes to complete it. This will serve as an exit ticket and a quick gauge of understanding.
- Closing Remarks: Thank participants for their engagement and reiterate the value of their work in supporting students.
Slide Deck
Welcome to Tier 2 Group Counseling: Best Practices
What's one challenge you've faced in a group counseling setting?
- Share with a partner or the whole group!
Welcome participants and introduce yourself. Briefly state the purpose of the session: to enhance skills in Tier 2 group counseling. Start with an ice-breaker question.
Session Agenda
- Introduction & Warm-Up
- Understanding Tier 2 Group Counseling
- Strategies for Effective Facilitation
- Documentation and Compliance
- Q&A and Wrap-Up
Review the agenda to set expectations for the session. Highlight the key areas we will cover.
What is Tier 2 Group Counseling?
- Targeted Support: Designed for students who need more support than Tier 1 universal interventions, but less intensive than Tier 3 individual support.
- Common Needs: Addresses shared challenges like social skills, emotion regulation, anxiety, grief, etc.
- Small Group Setting: Typically 4-8 students, fostering peer interaction and support.
- Early Intervention: Aims to prevent issues from escalating.
- At-Risk Scholars: Specifically supports students without IEPs who may benefit from short-term intervention, often facilitated by social work interns if available.
Define Tier 2 within the MTSS framework. Explain that it's for students with common needs, not individual therapy. Emphasize early intervention.
Key Components of Tier 2 Groups
- Structured Curriculum: Follows a pre-planned curriculum with specific learning objectives.
- Time-Limited: Sessions typically run for a set number of weeks (e.g., 6-8 weeks for at-risk scholars, 6-12 sessions generally).
- Consistent Membership: Helps build trust and cohesion within the group.
- Skilled Facilitator: Requires a trained professional to guide discussions and activities.
- Progress Monitoring: Regular assessment to track student growth and group effectiveness.
Elaborate on the key characteristics that make Tier 2 groups distinct and effective. Connect these to the specific needs of students.
Designing Effective Group Sessions: The Foundation
- Identify Needs: Use data (academic, behavioral, attendance) to pinpoint common student challenges.
- Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the group.
- Curriculum Selection: Choose or develop a curriculum that directly addresses the identified needs and aligns with group goals.
- Member Selection: Carefully select students who will benefit from the group and contribute positively to dynamics.
- Logistics: Determine session frequency, duration, location, and necessary materials.
Move into practical aspects of designing groups. Discuss the importance of clear goals and data-driven selection. Encourage participants to think about their student population.
Designing Effective Group Sessions: Session Structure
- Opening/Warm-Up (5-10 min): Check-in, review norms, quick activity to build rapport.
- Main Activity/Content (25-35 min): Introduce new skills, practice strategies, facilitate discussion.
- Processing/Reflection (10-15 min): Discuss what was learned, how it applies, share insights.
- Closing/Cool-Down (5 min): Summarize, assign homework (if applicable), look ahead to next session.
Discuss how to structure individual sessions. Emphasize the flow from warm-up to closing to maximize impact.
Facilitation Strategies: Group Dynamics
- Build Rapport: Create a welcoming and safe environment where students feel comfortable sharing.
- Establish Norms: Collaboratively set clear expectations for behavior and participation.
- Active Listening: Model and encourage attentive listening among group members.
- Manage Conflict: Address disagreements constructively, teaching conflict resolution skills.
- Encourage Participation: Use various techniques to engage all members, including quiet students.
- Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt activities based on group needs and energy levels.
Shift to facilitation skills. Highlight how a positive group dynamic is crucial for success. Provide actionable strategies.
Facilitation Strategies: Scholar Engagement
- Interactive Activities: Incorporate games, art, movement, and hands-on exercises.
- Role-Playing: Practice new skills in a safe environment.
- Reflective Prompts: Encourage self-reflection and connection to personal experiences.
- Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge effort and progress.
- Real-World Connections: Help students see how skills apply to their daily lives.
Focus on keeping students engaged and making the learning relevant. Share examples of interactive techniques.
Measuring Outcomes: Is it Working?
- Pre/Post Assessments: Use surveys or rating scales to measure changes in target behaviors/skills.
- Progress Monitoring Tools: Track specific behaviors or skill acquisition over time, especially crucial for at-risk scholars to show impact within the 6-8 week timeframe.
- Observation: Note changes in group participation, peer interaction, and application of skills.
- Student Self-Report: Ask students about their perceived growth and learning.
- Teacher/Parent Input: Gather feedback from other adults who interact with the students.
Emphasize the importance of data. Discuss different types of assessments and how they inform practice. Refer to the worksheet for an activity on this.
Documentation: Why It Matters
- Compliance: Meets legal and ethical requirements.
- Accountability: Demonstrates the effectiveness of interventions.
- Continuity of Care: Ensures consistent support across different providers.
- Communication: Provides valuable information for teachers, parents, and other staff.
- Professionalism: Reflects thorough and ethical practice.
Transition to documentation. Stress the compliance aspect and the need for accurate and timely records.
Documentation: Best Practices
- Timely Entries: Document immediately after sessions.
- Objective Language: Describe behaviors and statements, avoid interpretations.
- Confidentiality: Protect student privacy.
- Focus on Goals: Link progress to the group's objectives.
- Specific and Detailed: Include examples and direct quotes when appropriate.
- Review and Reflect: Regularly review documentation for accuracy and completeness.
Provide specific guidelines for good documentation. Discuss common errors and how to avoid them.
Questions & Wrap-Up
Any questions?
Don't forget to complete your Cool Down!
Thank you!
Open the floor for questions and discussion. Conclude with the cool-down activity and final remarks.
Discussion
Group Counseling Discussion Guide
Understanding Tier 2 Group Counseling
- What are some common challenges or behaviors you observe in students that might indicate a need for Tier 2 group counseling?
- How can clinical staff effectively identify 'at-risk' scholars for Tier 2 group counseling, especially those without IEPs who might benefit from short-term interventions?
- In your experience, what are the most crucial elements for a Tier 2 group to be effective?
- How do you differentiate between a student who needs Tier 2 group counseling versus one who might benefit more from individual (Tier 3) support or universal (Tier 1) interventions?
Strategies for Effective Facilitation
- Share a successful strategy you've used to engage a particularly quiet or disengaged student in a group setting.
- What are some ways to address challenging behaviors or conflicts that arise within a group while maintaining a supportive environment?
- How do you ensure that all group members feel heard and valued?
Documentation and Compliance
- What are some of the biggest challenges you face in documenting group counseling sessions?
- How do you ensure your documentation accurately reflects student progress towards group goals while maintaining confidentiality?
Worksheet
Group Counseling Best Practices Worksheet
Section 1: Designing Your Group - Setting SMART Goals
For an upcoming (or hypothetical) Tier 2 group, complete the following sections to outline your group's goals using the SMART goal framework.
Group Focus/Topic:
Specific (What exactly will the group achieve?)
Measurable (How will you know if the goal is met? What data will you collect?)
Achievable (Is this goal realistic for the group members and within the scope of the group?)
Relevant (Why is this goal important for these students? How does it connect to their needs?)
Time-bound (When will this goal be achieved? What is the duration of the group?)
Section 2: Strategies for Engagement & Outcomes
Reflect on the strategies discussed for improving group dynamics and scholar engagement.
Describe one strategy you plan to implement in your next group to enhance engagement and explain why you chose it.
How will you measure the effectiveness of this engagement strategy?
Cool Down
Cool Down: Reflecting on Group Best Practices
Please take a few minutes to reflect on today's session.
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What is one new strategy or idea you learned today that you plan to implement in your Tier 2 group counseling sessions?
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What is one question you still have about Tier 2 group counseling or a challenge you anticipate facing?
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How confident do you feel now in designing and facilitating effective Tier 2 group counseling sessions?
- Not Confident
- Somewhat Confident
- Confident
- Very Confident