Young Men's Group

 

Purpose

• To provide a safe and supportive environment where adolescent males ages 14-17 who have participated in substance abuse and/or other delinquent behaviors can share their feelings, questions, and thoughts about themselves, peers, parents, and others.
• To assist members to build on their strengths
• To be able to implement skills they have learned in group
• Youth who have been involved in this group in the past have found it a great place to deal with tough situations in their lives in a laid back environment where we deal with serious issues in both serious and fun ways.

 

Objectives

• Identify individual goals or issues.
• Recognize and express feelings that are important.
• Learn how to be more assertive.
• Recognize when friendships are positive or negative.
• Identify and build a positive body image.
• Increase communication skills.
• Increase and practice stress management skills
• Increase problem solving skills.
• Identify individual strengths.
• Have fun.
• The group will teach the importance of making healthy decisions at this critical stage in your teens life. Issues that will be addressed include positive peer relationships, anger and stress management, conflict resolution, effective communication, substance abuse prevention and preventing legal involvement.

 

Evaluation

• A pre group questionnaire will be filled out by each individual requesting the following information: 1) what they expect out of their group experience 2) identify 1 or 2 personal goals or issues they would like to work on, and 3) identify a group goal.
• A pre‑group Youth Outcomes Questionnaire (YOQ) will also be administered.
• Time will be reserved weekly to discuss how the group is progressing
• A post group questionnaire will be filled out by each individual requesting the following information: 1) were your initial expectations about the group accurate, 2) was the group successful in assisting you to achieve progress towards your personal goals or issues, 3) was the group goal achieved, 4) would you recommend this group to a friend, 5) what suggestions do you have that would help improve the group
• A post‑group Youth Outcomes Questionnaire (YOQ) will also be administered.

 

Method

• Group will be an open‑ended twelve‑session group. It will meet weekly on Wednesday hours.
• Weekly sessions will be primarily psychoeducational. Discussion and processing time will be included when necessary and appropriate.
• Parents will be invited to attend one of the upcoming sessions (to be announced) to share expertise, ask questions and learn strategies to address their son=s behavior. 
• Some work outside of group will be encouraged to practice what has been presented during group.
• Refreshments will be served: juice and a snack
• Group rates will be charged. Insurance will be billed if applicable

·         Referrals for this group come from therapists, juvenile court, school counselors and parents.