2025-26 SEMS Counseling Groups

Counseling Group Basics: Small groups meet weekly for an entire class period. Meeting times rotate so students don’t miss the same class every week. Each group session runs 4 to 8 weeks, once per semester. Participation in a group is voluntary. Confidentiality by all is an expectation. Students, teacher, and parents can contact their alpha counselor for application information. 

Brief Summary of Groups:

Career Discovery Group meets for four weeks. Each week, students will dive into discovering their unique strengths and interests, explore a variety of careers—from creative to technical—and learn what it takes to pursue them. Through hands-on activities, reflection, and small group discussions, participants will be introduced to a variety of post-high school college and career pathways.  This group is a great way for students to take their first steps toward career discovery in a supportive, engaging, and interactive environment. Group facilitator is a School Counselor or School Counselor Intern.

Children in Change Group meets as needed. It is designed to help students better understand their feelings related to significant changes in their lives. These changes can include, but are not limited to: divorce, separation, the death of a relative, a move to a new home or school, homelessness, a family member being in jail, a new baby, or substance abuse. The group provides an outlet for discussion and interpretation of the emotions that children experience with change, and provides instruction in coping strategies to deal with those feelings in a healthy, manageable way. Group facilitator is a School Social Worker or School Social Worker Intern.

Drama Buster Group is a group designed to help students see their roles and choices in social relationships.  Students will analyze real-life scenarios to understand the effects of mean comments, gossip, and bullying, and practice positive intervention through role-play and collaboration. The goal of the group is to build empathy, foster a safer classroom climate, and equip students with the practical conflict-resolution skills to support peers and reduce social issues.

Grief Group meets as needed. It is designed to help students better understand their feelings related to grief and loss. The group provides an outlet for discussion and interpretation of the emotions that children experience with grief/loss, and provides instruction in coping strategies to deal with those feelings in a healthy, manageable way. Group facilitator is a School Social Worker or School Social Worker Intern.

Healthy Choices Group is a supportive and interactive group designed for students to explore their feelings and choices around substance use. It allows students to discover their personal strengths and unique qualities to boost self-esteem and confidence, explores challenges such as peer pressure, incorporates goal-setting around healthy life choices, and provides instruction in coping strategies to deal with those feelings in a healthy, manageable way. Group facilitator is a School Social Worker or School Social Worker Intern.

Innovative Mindset Group is designed to support students with organization, time management skills, studying, and academic support. In addition, students will participate in career activities that will introduce them to multiple careers and post-high school pathways. Students will be encouraged to utilize their SEMS Student Planner and to review their StudentVue accounts regularly. Group facilitator is a School Counselor or School Counselor Intern.

Soaring Self Group helps build confidence, strengthen positive self-talk, and develop strategies for handling frustration.  It is designed to support students’ personal growth, social-emotional skills, and overall well-being, and provide them with tools and strategies to improve their self-esteem and overall success in school. Group facilitator is a School Counselor or School Counselor Intern.

Wellness Group provides an opportunity for students to enhance their emotional vocabulary, communication skills, and coping strategies. Students will work on increasing self-awareness, confidence, and self-esteem. Group facilitator is a School Social Worker or School Social Worker Intern.