NCJ Number
130661
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 16 Issue: 3/4 Dated: (1991) Pages: 113-131
Date Published
1991
Length
19 pages
Annotation
School-based counseling groups can be a useful approach to dealing with school adjustment problems of court-identified/Willie M. students or those who exhibit a behavior legally defined as conduct disorder (aggressive type).
Abstract
The behavior pattern typical of court-identified students is one of intimidation of teachers and peers, exhibited through physical or verbal aggressiveness, fear of submission, and destruction of private property. School-based counseling groups employ a variety of techniques to help these youth identify, discuss, and cope with the feelings that lead to negative school behavior. Some of the techniques manifested in the counseling groups by counselors and participants include earliest school recollections, diversions, scapegoating, jealousy, lying, and silences. While parents need to be involved in the treatment process, counselors also help participants learn to set realistic expectations regarding their family interactions. Sometimes counselors need to use containment for students who behave inappropriately, in order to ensure the integrity and continued functioning of the group as a whole. Counselors must be able to help students through their termination from the group which is often a difficult time marked by anxiety and anger. 8 references (Author abstract modified)