ACA WebBlog

Check out my.counseling.org to see another blog of mine. This week's blog features an article on use of everyday activities for children with ADHD.

Relationship Workbook for Teens

A great resource for anyone working with teenagers. The Teen Relationship Workbook helps teenagers identify support systems, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, has activities focusing on dating violence and safety planning section. All activities are outlined for use in a group setting or also can be used individually in the therapeutic setting. Each section has reproducible handouts that can be given to teenagers and parents.

Activity: Exploration of Healthy Relationships

To help adolescents explore healthy relationships try using a small soft ball to toss around to group members. Group members should stand in a circle and toss the ball to each other. Each time a group member catches the ball, she is to say one characteristic of a healthy relationship.

Tip: Group member should call out name of person before tossing the ball to that person to ensure safety with the activity.

Messages from the Media

One useful tool for helping adolescents understand the images that they see in magazines, billboards and other advertisements is to have them watch the process that leads to the end product. The Dove Evolution Commercial available on YouTube is one resource to depict this process. It is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U.

American Counseling Association WebBlog

Make sure to check out the American Counseling Association blog as I will be an upcoming weekly author on various counseling topics! The website is http://my.counseling.org/.

Looking to Enhance Self-Esteem

As part of my Adolescent Girl Talk group, I use games. Games such as Self-Esteem Bingo help promote benefits of self-esteem, identify self-esteem boosters and busters, and identification of personal strengths. To go along with this game, I give the girls a list of positive affirmations and ask them to pick at least 3 from the list given and write them on an index card. This index card is to be placed in a spot where each morning the girl can see it and remind herself of the positive aspects of her life to give her a brighter outlook as the day moves forward.

Game available from: http://store.guidance-group.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=350770&eq=&Tp=

References Specific to Girls

Aston, J. (2009). The body scoop for girls: A straight-talk guide to a healthy, beautiful you.

Avery: New York.

Barto, H.H., & Salkeld, S.J. (2001). Challenging the Barbie doll syndrome: A group design for

working with adolescent girls. Educational Media Corporation: Minneapolis.

Cohen-Sandler, R. (2002). “Trust me, mom-everyone else is going!” The new rules for

mothering adolescent girls, understanding and surviving the social life of your teenage daughter. Penguin Books: New York.

Cohen-Sandler, R., & Silver, M. (1999). “I’m not mad, I just hate you!” A new understanding

of mother-daughter conflict, surviving and thriving during your daughter’s teenager years. Penguin Books: New York.    

Dee, C. (1997). The girls’ guide to life: How to take charge of he issues that affect you. Little

Brown and Company: New York.

Garbarino, J., & deLara E. (2002). And words can hurt forever: How to protect adolescents

from bullying, harassment, and emotional violence. Free Press: New York.

Holyoke, N. (2001). A smart girl’s guide to boys: Surviving crushes, staying true to yourself &

other stuff. Pleasant Company Publications: Wisconsin.

Irons, D. (2002). Teen beauty secrets: Fresh, simple, & sassy tips for your perfect look.

Sourcebooks, Inc.: Illinois.

Kaplan, C.S., Aguirre, B.A., & Rater, M. (2007). Helping your troubled teen: Learn to

recognize, understand, and address the destructive behavior of today’s teens. Fair Winds

Press: Massachusetts.

Kupkovits, J. (2008). Relational aggression in girls: A prevention and intervention curriculum

with activities & lessons or small groups and classrooms. YouthLight: South Carolina.

Moles, K. (2001). The teen relationship workbook for professionals helping teens to develop

healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence. Wellness Productions & Publishing, LLC: New York.

Norby, A. (2008). Girls in the lead: A small-group strength based curriculum for helping girls

in grades 6-12 to effectively deal with relational aggression and other social/emotional challenges. YouthLight: South Carolina.

Peterson, J.S. (2007). The essential guide to talking with teens: Ready-to-use discussions for

school and youth groups. Free Spirit Publishing: Minneapolis.

Peterson, J.S. (1995). Talk with teens about feelings, family, relationships and the future: 50

guided discussions for school and counseling groups. Free Spirit Publishing: Minneapolis.

Peterson, J.S. (1993). Talk with teens about self and stress: 50 guided discussions for school and

counseling groups. Free Spirit Publishing: Minneapolis.

Piper, M. (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the selves of adolescent girls. Ballantine Books:      

New York.

Sax, L.( 2010). Girls on the edge: The four factors driving the new crisis or girls. Basic Books:

New York.

Schaefer, V.L. (1998). The care & keeping of you: The body book for girls. Pleasant Company

Publications. Wisconsin.

Scarano-Osika, G., & Dever-Johnson, K. (2008). You grow girl! A self-empowering workbook

for tweens & teens. Larson Publications: New York.

Shapiro, L.E. (1996). The teens’ solutions workbook. Childswork, Childsplay: New York.

Simmons, R. (2004). Odd girl speaks out: Girls write about bullies, cliques, popularity, and

jealously. Harcourt, Inc.: New York.

Taylor, J.V., & Trice-Black, S. (2007). Girls in real life situations: Group counseling activities

for enhancing social and emotional development. Research Press: Illinois.

Taylor, J.V., & Trice-Black, S. (2007). Girls in real life situations: Group counseling activities

for enhancing social and emotional development (grades K-5). Research Press: Illinois.

Taylor, J.V. (2008). Salvaging sisterhood: A small group counseling and classroom curriculum

for relationally aggressive girls (grades 5-12). YouthLight: South Carolina.

Weston, C. (1998). For girls only: Wise words, good advice. Avon Camelot Book: New York.

Whitney. B. (2000). School smarts: All the right answers to homework, teachers, popularity,

and more! Pleasant Company Publications: Wisconsin.