Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified! Happy January. Today I am sharing five small groups to start in January.

While I always use referrals and data to form small groups by identifying areas of need, I also like to plan groups around intentional seasonal themes. For example, January is the perfect time to offer a goal setting group as students transition into the new year.

Small groups are one of my favorite ways to support students. They allow me to serve more students at once, and students often feel more comfortable opening up in a group setting than in one-on-one sessions.

Five Small Groups to Start in January

Goal Setting This group helps students identify personal goals, explore what motivates them, and learn strategies to achieve those goals throughout the semester.

Stress Management As academic expectations increase after winter break, many students experience higher stress levels. This group focuses on coping skills, emotional regulation, and stress reduction strategies.

Growth Mindset This group teaches students how the brain works and why challenges help us grow. Students learn to reframe mistakes and develop perseverance through effort and practice.

Conflict Resolution This group supports students in navigating friendship challenges by teaching communication skills such as using I statements and practicing conflict resolution through role-play scenarios.

Self Esteem The new year is a great opportunity to focus on confidence building. This group emphasizes self-reflection, positive self-talk, communication skills, and personal goal setting.

If you are looking for meaningful and effective ways to support students as the new semester begins, these small groups are a great place to start.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join IMPACT

• Stress Free School Counseling

• Goal Setting Group

• Stress Group

• Growth Mindset Group

• Conflict Resolution Group

• Conflict Resolution Group

• Self-Esteem Groups

• https://brightfutures-counseling.com/blogs/blog/january-small-groups

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More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!