Evidence-Based Techniques for Group Counseling for Adolescents

Adolescents face many struggles as they enter their teen years, and because teens often trust their peers more than adults, group therapy is an excellent counseling option for adolescents to learn from one another and social interaction is a key aspect of the developmental process. Several evidence-based techniques for group therapy help adolescents feel secure and express their feelings while avoiding breeding mistrust and alienation between the teens and therapist.

Rule Setting

• Perhaps the first and most important step in approaching group therapy with adolescents is the discussion and setting of the group rules. Every member should be made fully aware of the rules and be prepared to uphold them in order to maintain an orderly and safe atmosphere. Rules should at least include confidentiality, attendance and behavior. Members should be expected to attend every meeting and keep all information and names confidential, and behavior should be respectful, nonviolent and honest.

Group Warm-Up

• Warm ups for the group should be fun and relaxed and a way for members to transition from the outside world into the safety of the group. A basic activity to begin is to have members state their names and one bad or good thing that happened to them since the last meeting. Teens feel more included when referred to by name, so the name-stating part of warm up allows new members to introduce themselves and ongoing members to remember everyone's names more easily.

Expressive Arts Therapy

• Adolescents often struggle to express their feelings and creating art can be a fun way to allow them to express themselves with less anxiety than talking. Even if they don't feel that their art expresses anything in particular, creating art allows them the opportunity to get in touch with their inner selves and quiet their minds. Members should always be kept aware of how much time they have to complete an activity and group discussion should follow. Two popular activities include mask making and self-portraits.

Homework

• Homework is effective in allowing members to carry what is discussed in the group beyond the group setting. Some assignments may include feeling logs and worksheets, writing in a journal or brief art assignments easily done from home. The homework can then be shared either with the group or the therapist in a one-on-one setting; however, sharing with the group can further foster a sense of belonging and safety.