GROUP COUNSELING: AN OVERVIEW
Group counseling represents an important intervention for addressing children’s psychological
needs. In fact, group counseling can positively impact children on an individual perspective and
also serve a useful role for the school. Littrell and Peterson (2002) observed that groups afford the
opportunity to positively impact the school. Unfortunately, Fleming (1999) observed that, although
the National Association of School Psychologists addresses a need for counseling training, specialty
training in group counseling is not required. (Note: The Professional Standards for Training of Group
Workers, articulated by the Association for Specialists in Group Work [ASGW, 1991], supports a
minimum of 10 hours of training with 30–45 hours of training for specialists.)
Schaefer (1999) observed that, on an individual level, short-term group treatment can be most
effective in helping children develop adaptive processes for coping with a range of problems. Overall,
groups can be positive. Still, what types of groups are generally used? What “stages” characterize
group process? What legal issues need to be considered?