Strengthening Social Connections and Individual Resilience in Adolescence

Book excerpt: This book introduces a group counseling curriculum that provides both a foundation to confidently lead a counseling group for adolescents and inspiration for how a group leader can adapt and modify the text in a range of settings. The curriculum is three-fold, corresponding with the three major sections of the text. In Part One of the text, the authors provide a conceptual and practical way of understanding two matters: first, the critical leadership challenges faced by group counselors as well as the skills they need to navigate those challenges successfully, and second, the critical developmental challenges faced by adolescents and the skills they need to navigate those challenges successfully. Part Two introduces a nine-week social skills curriculum – Belong and Be You – designed and modified over ten years of use to help adolescents be better socially connected as well as confidently independent. Part Three provides an additional resource which is meant to be used in tandem with the curriculum: 40 strategic stories on four different themes contributed by faculty and students. This book will benefit school counselors and group counselors working with adolescents to successfully navigate group leadership and help students embrace themselves and find belonging.