A Solution-Focused

Counseling Group
Proposal for College
Herb Church, Anthony Clinkscales, and
Stress
Micole
Peters
Mercer University

College Stress Group

We propose a counseling group for firstyear undergraduate students dealing with
stress.
Research shows that there are high levels
of stress among first-year students, which
is due to academic, social, and personal
challenges.
Known to be an effective treatment for
college stress, our approach is solutionfocused.

First-Year Undergraduate Stress

The inability to cope with stress can negatively
impact behavior.
Stress can contribute to low self-esteem.
Adjusting to college life, fulfilling developmental
tasks, and dealing with unexpected societal
events can all raise stress levels.
The demand to develop new skills during this
time can increase stress levels.
Emerging adulthood requires the development and
implementation of coping skills for academic, social,
and personal challenges.

College Milieu Stressors

Stressors.
Perceptions of the college workload and its achievability
changes in environment
social support networks
academic demands
social demands
peer relationships
Lack of funds
personal responsibilities that occur

College stressors can lead to students developing

stress-related pathology, negative health behaviors,
anxiety and/or depression, and life dissatisfaction.

Methodology
Voluntary
Self
Referral

Closed
12 weeks
8-15 members
2 leaders (co-leaders)
1 hour 30 minutes
Members will be screened and selected
Interview
College Readjustment Rating Scale
Traditional College Student Stress Scale

Purpose and Goals

To help group members to handle or
eliminate stressors presented to them
through academic and social
interactions
Help members identify problems and create
solutions
Help members distinguish and implement
healthy coping mechanisms
Help members preserve their mental and
physical health

Role of Leader

Establish trust
Co-construct a problem and a goal
Emphasize hope
Use solution-focused techniques, stress busters, and
lines of questioning that facilitate problem resolution
Facilitate the self-discovery of members own
strengths and resources, as well as their self-healing
attributes
Protect members from physical, emotional, and
psychological trauma
Assign tasks and reevaluate the problem and goal

Evaluation
Reaction-type Response
Week 6 & 12
Questionnaire
Ranked questions/statements (1-5)
Open-ended questions

Follow-up Interviews
Post-group Meetings
Evaluate progress
Track set goals

Ethical and Multicultural

Competency
Meeting diverse expectations of the
leader
Understanding multicultural
influences
Respecting diverse worldviews
Maintaining awareness and
sensitivity regarding cultural
meanings of confidentiality and
privacy
Utilizing contracts to minimize

Activities Outline
Week One: Goal-setting, Roles, Expectations,
Rules, Scaling question
Week Two: Formula First Session Task (Exception
Questioning/Coping Questioning)
Week Three: The Miracle Question Activity
Week Four Six: Do One Thing Different Activity
Week Seven Ten: Techniques and Strategies for
dealing with stress, i.e. Visual Imagery, Deep
Breathing Exercises
Week Eleven: Hope
Week Twelve: Goals/Action-planning

Activities

The Miracle Question

Do One Thing Different
Visual Imagery
Deep Breathing

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