Designing a Counseling Group for LGBT Students in a Public High School

Designing a Counseling Group for LGBT Students in a Public High School

Purpose and Goals of the Group

The basic aim of counseling groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) is to provide a supportive and safe environment to students who are coping with their sexual minority orientation in Public High School. It was considered essential to create this group because the social circle of LGBT students need indispensible support and comfort to explore, affirm and develop their identity. The group is consisting of professionals and graduates, these individual are lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender. It is the main purpose of the group to create a community and networking between LGBT students in Public High School.

Group Sessions Information

The group size will be dependent on the age of the student; in case of younger students the size of the group will be small. These sessions will be held twice during weekdays specifically on Monday and Thursday. Age Group

Number of Member

Session Timings

5-6 years old

3-4 members

20 minutes

9-12 year olds

5-7 members

30 to 45 minutes

12-19 year olds

7-10 members

45 minutes to 1 hour

Core Beliefs of Treatment:

To be considerate about the negative impacts on LGBT students.

Approach adopted is holistic

The model is based on abstinence

Develop resiliency and strengths

Self determination and wellness

Diversity in culture

Provide support on social level

Education

Success based on evidence

Care of informed trauma

Why LGBT-Specific Treatment?

Almost 33% of the LGBT students start using alcohol and drugs.

LGBT students are more prone to experience anxiety and depression.

Most of the LGBT students do not respond to the treatments provided by the healthcare unit, which causes a reduction in the success of such treatment.

If the negative effects related to LGBT are not taken care then it may lead to a relapse cycle. The counseling group specializes in treating LGBT students at the initial level of coping up with abuse, mental health and sexual health.

Evaluation Criteria

The criterion of evaluation regarding screening and recruitment is a thirty six hour process. Member of the group compile the information and conduct an interview of the Public High School student and recommend either they are suitable candidates or not for group therapy. A formal report is created to regarding the psychological issues witnessed by the LGBT student. In case a student is referred by parent or guardian, then the case details are taken to provide special treatment if required.

Conditions

The Students that are facing problem in their social circle will be included in the counseling group whereas; student with no problems regarding persuasion of their sexual orientation will be excluded.

Theory and Style of Group Leadership

Group will be based on participative leadership, when the group members are involved in decision making, and the team leader encourages the team to take ownership of their decision. A leader encourages delegation and participation but also own the responsibility of the action of the group members. It leads to best performance from all the team members as there is active participation factor ...