As part of the Independence Middle School counseling program, four educational insight groups are offered to the students. These groups are not “therapy” groups but groups focusing on issues which make it difficult to be totally successful academically, emotionally, and/or socially. Students who participate in the groups are held to the rule “what is said in the group must remain in the group.” Confidentiality is strictly enforced. The only time the counselors or social worker would divulge anything said in the group is when something is said or done that is either illegal or a danger to the student or another person.

The Family Changes Group focuses on common issues students face who are living in families where the parents are divorced or separated. The divorce or separation does not have to be recent but something the student still has some trouble dealing with in his or her life.

The Stress and Relaxation Group helps students identify stressors in their everyday lives and then examine ways to change or deal with the stressors. Part of each group also involves guided visualizations or conscious relaxation exercises.

The Friendship Group helps students who have difficulty making friends. Some of the issues addressed focus on shyness, improving self-esteem, and improving communication skills.

The Peer Relations Group focuses on students whose behavior gets in the way of being successful students and friends. It will focus on the negative choices they often make which lead to problems in class and with their peers. After identifying the problems, students are then encouraged to find a variety of positive or alternate choices/behaviors, which might help them avoid negative consequences.

All of these groups will meet during the school day. The days and periods change each week to avoid any one day or class being missed. Students and teachers will know ahead of time when the groups are being held so class work may be obtained ahead of time.

If you would like for your child to be a included as a member of one or more of these groups, please call or write a note to the counselors giving your child’s name, grade, team, homeroom, and the name of the group(s) which you feel would be beneficial.