Lead group counseling sessions

Schedule the next group counseling session for Tuesday at 3 p.m., reserve Room 204, and email the six participants with a reminder and the consent form. I will lead and Maria will co-facilitate; confirm both our availability and ask facilities to set chairs in a circle before we arrive.

Before I hand this group outline to Maria and the interns, make it easy to run: open with the group goal and three observable outcomes, place the script for the opening check-in on page one, and flag two possible exercises if energy dips. Note any content that requires additional training so Maria can reassign exercises if needed.

We just had a session that ended heated; two of the regular attendees have not shown up since. I ran the closure but worry I mishandled a disclosure and now group safety is compromised. I cannot tell whether they feel unsafe with the group or with specific participants. What is the most likely reason for their absence and the next steps to re-engage them without retraumatizing anyone?

Across groups, when sessions get into trauma or conflict topics attendance and trust drop, and co-facilitators spend time doing individual outreach. This drains program capacity. Which facilitation habits and pre-session communications will keep the group safe and reduce post-session crisis work?