Davis High counselor starts small stress management group

PHOTO: The Davis High counseling office’s Instagram page advertised for the new stress management group led by counselor Katherine Parker a couple days before its first meeting.

By Priscilla Lee,

BlueDevilHUB.com Editor–

It is something you have felt before, and probably experienced heightened levels of during the pandemic: stress.

As stress is one of the top subjects that came up with students, Davis High counselor Katherine Parker initiated a stress management group advertised to any student interested that will meet on campus for six consecutive Wednesdays starting March 3. This decision came about after much consultation with therapists in the community, other counselors and students.

According to the American Psychological Association, 43 percent of Gen Z teens that took part in the 2020 Stress in America survey conducted online last August reported the level of stress in their life increased over the past year.

“It’s really a subject that lends itself to kind of go in a lot of areas with students. […] It taps into anxiety and depression and how it affects all those things,” Parker said regarding stress.

The first meeting covered the group norms. Parker plans to lead the following weekly sessions through guided exercises, papers, worksheets and open discussions. All meetings are directed socially distanced outside. 

Topics that will be covered include identifying stressors in your life, understanding your body’s personal response to stress, and applying positive coping mechanisms. Parker wants students to come away empowered with the tools they need to deal with stress in a healthy manner.

Parker notes the group is a combination of a psychoeducational group, in which members learn some material, and a therapeutic group, where members can process the information and discuss it with each other. The group is what is known as a closed group, meaning the same handful of students will be gathering for the six meetings. Parker emphasizes that confidentiality is an important aspect so members feel it is a safe space and can really utilize the group.

While Parker acknowledges the drawbacks such as some students may not be comfortable meeting in-person yet, she recognizes the courage students took to join the group and is glad there has been enough student response to get the group up and running.

“The beauty of a group is […] the group does the work. […] You hear how other people are doing and it’s nice to know that there’s other people dealing with the same things you are or similar, and that in itself is helpful,” she said.

Email Parker at kparker@djusd.net if you’re interested in joining a rerun of the group.