Group rationale
Schools are a primary social unit for students and adolescent teenagers. They offer a perfect opportunity for students to develop appropriate values through their set of rules. However, the messages may sometimes lead to feelings of rejection especially for particular groups of students (Strasburger, 2007). Teenage pregnant girls are among the groups of students who fall victim to the messages. Despite the fact that teenage pregnancy is a reality in schools, many school counseling professionals ignore the group (Quinlivan, 2004).
Teenage pregnant girls have a difficult time identifying with the rest of the students. They often experience feelings of loneliness. As a result, they are considered a high risk group and are likely to engage in activities that will hurt them (Tan & Quinlivan, 2006). Attempts to abort and struggles with psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and low self esteem are the major risks. In addition, these girls are likely to drop from school and discontinue with their education (Mollborn & Morningstar, 2009). It is therefore important that the issue be addressed.
Theoretical format
Existential therapy will be applied to the group. According to this counseling approach, individuals have the sole responsibility of providing meaning to their own life. No one does it for them. As people give meaning to their lives, they tend to live life passionately based on their own definition. It is important for the girls to understand that life still has meaning in spite of their circumstances. Even though their situation might seem miserable, they are still able to give meaning to life. If the girls are able to develop a positive perception of life, they will be motivated to living passionately (Appignanesi, Deurzen, & Cooper, 2010).
During the group session three main things will be emphasized. The girls will be persuaded to
- share their experiences,
- develop behavioral values such as humor, bravery, and compassion
- doing good deed to their family, friends, and strangers
Objectives for the group
- Developing and implementing a therapy group for pregnant girls in public schools
- The group will provide an affirmative environment for pregnant girls in high school to address their issues
- The group will provide peer contact where the participants will get an opportunity to learn from others who had similar experiences
Publicity
The program will focus on pregnant girls in high school within the district. Advertisements will be printed and posted on the notice boards of the targeted schools. The counselor’s office in each of the schools is expected to provide further information for anyone interested.
Selection process
Interested girls will participate in a process of selection which involves stating expectation of the program and the group. A professional counselor will then brief them on the nature of the group, the issues that they face, and how the group is likely to help them handle these issues.
Starting and maintaining the group
The program will run for a period of ten weeks. There will be a total of ten sessions with each session being held every week on a Tuesday. The session will be after school to allow all the girls within the area to attend. It will focus on supportive education that helps the girls to develop positive perception towards their state and towards relationships with partners and guardians. There will be numerous exercises to boost their esteem and emphasize on importance of completing their education.
References
Appignanesi, R., Deurzen, E. v., & Cooper, D. (2010). Everyday Mysteries: a Handbook of Existential Psychotherapy. London: Routledge.
Mollborn, S., & Morningstar, E. (2009). Investigating the relationship between teenage childbearing and psychological distress using longitudinal evidence. The Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 50(1), 310-326.
Quinlivan, J. A. (2004). Teenagers who plan parenthood. Sexual Health, 1(1), 201-208.
Strasburger, V. C. (2007). Teen Pregnancy Rates in the USA. New Mexico: University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Tan, L. H., & Quinlivan, J. (2006). Domestic violence, single parenthood, and fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy. Journal of Adolescent Health, 38(2), 201-207.