Group Counseling Activities

In this fun, interactive 45-minute session, 6th graders will explore what counseling is, why it’s valuable, and how it can support them and their peers. Through games, discussions, and reflective activities, students will build comfort with counseling concepts, learn active listening skills, and discover when and how to seek help. This Tier 1 lesson fosters a supportive classroom community and equips all students with foundational social-emotional skills.

A 12-session SEL group counseling series for 5th–6th graders teaching emotional regulation, social skills, and stress management through interactive activities, games, and guided discussions—all in 30-minute low-prep sessions to support IEP goals.

This 30-minute Tier 1 counseling lesson for 7th graders introduces students to the purpose, process, and safe space of school counseling. Students will build rapport with the counselor, learn confidentiality guidelines, and co-create group norms to ensure a supportive environment.

In this 45-minute, small-group Tier 2 counseling activity, students work together to navigate a puzzle-based physical maze under time pressure. Through defined roles and rules, they practice communication, cooperation, and stress management. This session builds group counseling techniques by encouraging reflection on problem-solving under stress.

A 30-minute Tier 1 counseling session designed to introduce 2nd graders to the counseling space, routines, and expectations. This lesson helps students feel safe, build rapport, and learn what to expect in future counseling sessions through engaging activities.

A fun, 30-minute Tier 2 group counseling session designed to welcome new and returning 6th-grade participants, build rapport, and establish group norms. This session uses engaging icebreakers and collaborative activities to help students feel safe, connected, and ready to work on their IEP goals together.

This lesson is designed for clinical staff to strengthen their understanding of how to design and facilitate Tier 2 group counseling. Participants will practice strategies to improve group dynamics, scholar engagement, and measurable outcomes, and align documentation practices with compliance and network expectations. This 60-minute session is intended for Clinical Staff.

A 20-minute Tier 3 introductory counseling session for individual 6-8th grade students, covering confidentiality, what to expect in counseling, a pre-test on coping skills familiarity, and a get-to-know-you questionnaire including a summer check-in. This lesson helps build trust and set the stage for future sessions.

In this small-group counseling activity, 7th graders will identify and discuss family member roles using Structural Family Therapy concepts. This Tier 2 session helps students recognize strengths and gaps in their family systems, promoting self-awareness and communication. Duration: 30 minutes.

A 30-minute Tier 2 group session introducing 5th graders to school counseling—what it is, confidentiality, and how it can help them. This session builds trust, clarifies expectations, and engages students with interactive activities and reflection.

In this engaging lesson, students will get to know their school counselor through a fun and interactive Bingo game. This activity helps students understand the counselor's role and feel comfortable approaching them for support. It also encourages listening skills and provides a platform for questions and discussions.

This lesson introduces 10th-grade students to group counseling, focusing on establishing a safe and supportive environment by collaboratively creating group norms. It helps students understand the benefits of group counseling and their role in making it successful. This is a single 30-minute session.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group session for seven-grade students, we’ll introduce the essentials of group counseling, build connections, and establish group expectations. This lesson is crucial for fostering a safe, supportive environment where students learn self-advocacy and coping strategies, setting the stage for successful ongoing counseling.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 6th graders, students will be introduced to school counseling services and explore the power of a growth mindset. This engaging session fosters rapport between the counselor and students through an interactive ice breaker and emphasizes how embracing challenges helps them succeed academically and personally.

In this 30-minute individual counseling session, the counselor will review Aaron’s IEP goals, outline session expectations, introduce group norms (even in 1:1 context, i.e., counseling norms), and explain why counseling sessions occur. This lesson helps Aaron understand self-advocacy and coping strategies from day one, building rapport and a clear roadmap for success.

This lesson introduces 9th-grade students to group counseling, focusing on building a safe and trusting environment. It helps students understand the purpose of the group, establish shared norms, and begin to feel comfortable participating. This single session is 30 minutes long.

This group counseling session focuses on enhancing social skills through engaging activities and a video component. The session is designed to help students develop confidence in social interactions, improve communication skills, and understand the importance of active listening. By using Game-Based Learning strategies, the session aims to make learning social skills fun and interactive, encouraging students to apply these skills in real-life situations.

A 20-minute Tier 3 counseling refresher session for individual 6-8th graders who’ve used counseling before. This session briefly reviews confidentiality, checks in on coping skill practice, and gathers updated insights to recommit to growth and well-being.

This 30-minute lesson for 9th-grade students in a Tier 2 group setting focuses on practical strategies to enhance student engagement in both individual and group counseling sessions. Students will learn and practice techniques to actively participate and make the most of their support time, fostering a more effective and beneficial counseling experience.

In this 30-minute, one-session Tier 1 lesson for 7th graders, students will get to know their new school counselor by engaging in fun icebreakers, exploring the counselor’s role, and reflecting on ways the counselor can support them. This lesson builds trust, encourages help-seeking, and sets a positive tone for future counseling interactions.

A one-on-one counseling session for 5th graders focused on identifying emotions and learning coping strategies. This Tier 3 individualized lesson empowers students to understand their feelings and practice tools for emotional regulation within 30 minutes.

In this first counseling session, we’ll build trust, set group norms, and introduce IEP counseling goals to create a safe environment for two 6th graders with learning and emotional disabilities. This foundational 30-minute lesson helps students feel heard and sets clear expectations for future counseling groups.

In this lesson plan, students will get to know their School Counselor through an engaging bingo game. This will help them understand who their School Counselor is, what they do, and how they can help. The game format makes it fun and interactive, which is ideal for keeping 2nd graders' attention.

This individual counseling session welcomes 6th grade students who are one year below grade level and often struggle with social skills and anxiety. In a 20-minute one-on-one format, students will build rapport, learn basic coping strategies, and set personal goals. This lesson establishes trust and paves the way for future growth.

An engaging 30-minute interactive lesson introducing 6th-grade students to the basics of counseling—what it is, who counselors are, and how talking can help. Students will learn key terms, practice active listening, and experience a mock counseling scenario. This Tier 1 classroom-wide lesson builds social-emotional skills and fosters a safe, supportive environment.

This lesson aims to introduce the school counselor to third-grade students. The session will include a fun and interactive activity, watching a brief video, and a group discussion to help students understand the role of their counselor and learn some personal facts about them. This will build a foundation of trust and familiarity, which is crucial for students to feel comfortable seeking help from their counselor in the future.

This 30-minute Tier 1 counseling session helps 8th graders explore their identity and boost self-esteem through reflective and creative activities, fostering self-awareness and confidence.

A 4-week SEL counseling curriculum for 12th-grade girls focusing on healthy coping with frustration and anxiety and effective self-expression in real-life teen situations like peer conflict and academic/college stress. Designed for a Tier 2 small group setting, each session is 30 minutes.

This one-session lesson for 1st graders introduces school counseling by building rapport and getting to know each other through engaging activities. Students will practice sharing about themselves and listening to peers, fostering a supportive group environment suitable for Tier 2 group support.

In this 30-minute group therapy activity for 7th graders, students will explore self-esteem by identifying personal strengths, sharing positive feedback, and building a supportive classroom community. This lesson fosters emotional well-being, communication skills, and confidence, helping students feel empowered and connected to peers.

This lesson involves an interactive bingo game designed to help students learn interesting facts about their counselor while also sharing about themselves. This session fosters a friendly and approachable image of the counselor, helping students feel more comfortable seeking guidance and support. By engaging in this activity, students will develop communication skills and build a sense of community within the classroom.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 session, 3rd graders will meet their school counselor through a fun ice-breaker and complete a brief individual needs assessment. Understanding students’ feelings and needs early builds trust and sets the stage for ongoing support.

In this fun, 15-minute session, 7th graders will play “Two Truths and a Lie” to learn about their school counselor, building trust and comfort. This Tier 1 classroom activity helps students connect socially and emotionally with a key support figure.

An 8-session individual counseling series for a 6th grade boy navigating his parents’ divorce and split household. These 30-minute sessions build trust, teach emotional regulation, coping strategies, and resilience, empowering the student to express feelings and develop healthy support systems.

A 15-minute Tier 3 individual counseling session to introduce the student to counseling, build rapport, and set expectations. This lesson helps the student feel comfortable, understand the process, and engage actively in future sessions.

A series of six lessons designed for 6th-8th graders to enhance social skills in a group counseling setting. Each lesson focuses on different aspects of social interaction, including communication, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, friendship building, and self-awareness, with a duration of 30 minutes per session.

A whole-class icebreaker to kick off group counseling by encouraging openness and peer support; builds trust across the class. This Tier 1 session is designed for a 6th-grade class, runs 30 minutes, and helps students practice sharing feelings and active listening in a supportive environment.

Through engaging silent group activities, 10th graders will learn to read and use non-verbal cues, boosting empathy and observational skills. This Tier 2 lesson in group counseling techniques spans one 40-minute session, offering hands-on practice in a supportive environment.

In this one-session, 45-minute Tier 1 lesson, 1st and 2nd graders will meet the school counselor and build classroom routines through fun, interactive activities. Students will learn each other’s names, explore counselor roles via a read-aloud, and create a collaborative art piece. This engaging session fosters community, belonging, and clear routines for a successful school year.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group counseling session for 8th graders, students will explore what anxiety feels like and learn practical coping strategies like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and grounding exercises. This session helps students build tools to manage anxious thoughts and emotions, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.

In this 25-minute Tier 2 small-group activity, new counselors will reinforce their understanding of core Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts through an interactive Bingo quiz. Participants identify real-life examples of CBT principles to mark off their cards, promoting recall, collaboration, and deeper learning.

A 30-minute Tier 1 group therapy session for 10th graders with challenging behaviors, focusing on building self-awareness, coping skills, and peer support through engaging activities and reflections.

This 30-minute group counseling session for 2nd graders helps students identify anger triggers and develop healthy coping strategies to express anger without hitting, throwing, spitting, or having tantrums. It's crucial for fostering emotional regulation and positive social interactions. Designed for small group (Tier 2) intervention.

In this 30-minute, one-on-one counseling session, you’ll use interactive icebreakers to build rapport and trust with an 8th grader. These activities are designed to encourage open communication, foster comfort, and set the stage for deeper conversations in future sessions.

In this 45-minute Tier 1 lesson, 8th-grade students will meet their school counselor, learn about counseling services, and create personalized name tents. Aligned with ASCA Mindset & Behavior standards, this interactive session builds relationships, sets classroom norms, and gathers student insights through pre- and post-surveys.

In this lesson, students will go on a fun scavenger hunt around the classroom to find clues that introduce them to the school counselor and their role. This interactive activity helps make the introduction memorable and engaging for young students.

In this 30-minute introductory lesson, kindergarten through 4th graders will get to know their school counselor, explore how counseling can support them, and begin building coping strategies. This engaging Tier 1 session fosters trust, eases first-day jitters, and lays the foundation for a safe, supportive classroom environment.

This lesson introduces students to the school counselor through interactive activities, helping them understand the counselor's role in supporting personal and academic growth and the importance of mental health. This session is crucial for building a supportive school environment and encouraging students to seek help when needed.

A 3-session, 30-minute individual counseling series for a first-grade boy to introduce what counseling is and build rapport through engaging, multisensory activities. Supports speech delays with visuals and alternative communication methods.

In this 45-minute Tier 1 lesson for 1st graders, students will learn about the role of the school counselor through engaging activities that build social skills and help the counselor and students get to know each other. This foundational lesson fosters a safe, supportive classroom community and empowers students to seek help when they need it.

This 15-minute activity for school adjustment counselors and school psychologists will help them understand how to use data to form effective social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health support groups, ensuring targeted and impactful interventions.

This lesson involves a simulation-based activity where students role-play as grief counselors and clients. Through this exercise, students will learn effective communication and empathy skills, which are crucial for interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence. The lesson includes feedback sessions to help students reflect on their performance and improve their skills, making it a valuable experience for personal and professional development.

In this engaging individual counseling session, the counselor and 6th grade student will build rapport, explore personal strengths, and set goals for future sessions. This welcome activity is crucial to establish trust and a safe space, guiding the student through fun and reflective exercises in 30 minutes.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson for 6th graders, students will meet their school counselor, learn about the counseling services available in middle school, and understand how to seek support. This foundational session builds trust, awareness, and empowers students to utilize counseling resources throughout the year.

In this 30-minute Tier 2 group session for 10th graders, students will build group rapport and learn the basics of the CBT triangle—how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. This lesson jumpstarts a 16-week anxiety-management curriculum with fun icebreakers and active group-building exercises.

In this 30-minute Tier 1 counseling session for 7th graders, students will explore the power of peer support and active listening, learning skills to build a stronger classroom community. This lesson fosters empathy, communication, and self-awareness, equipping students with tools to support themselves and each other.

In this 20-minute individual session for 5th and 6th graders new to counseling, students will get to know their counselor, learn about counseling goals, and feel comfortable sharing. This welcome session builds rapport, sets expectations, and lowers anxiety, fostering a trusting relationship from day one.

In this Tier 2 small-group counseling lesson, 7th graders play Mood Monopoly to practice coping strategies and emotional regulation in a fun, collaborative board-game format. Over one 50-minute session, students will learn and apply coping skills when they encounter emotion challenges, share strategies in a group activity, and reflect on their learning.