A Transdiagnostic Approach to Develop Organization, Attention and Learning Skills introduces the GOALS program — an innovative and skill-based approach that addresses the unique array of academic, occupational, and socio-emotional difficulties commonly faced by college students with underdeveloped executive functions.
This program consists of ten sessions delivered in a group format to help college students improve their academic performance. Over the course of these sessions, participants learn strategies to prioritize tasks and assignments; schedule and manage life responsibilities; cope with life stressors; identify relevant on-campus resources; prepare for upcoming exams; take well-structured notes; maintain motivation; and several other strategies designed to reach their academic goals. Each session builds on earlier sessions, so previously learned skills lay the foundation for the successful implementation of newly learned skills. This practical and easy-to-implement program includes detailed session notes for group leaders and reproducible handouts for participants including in-session activities, session summaries, and homework assignments.
This treatment manual is an essential resource for mental health providers who deliver interventions to students enrolled in post-secondary institutions pursuing undergraduate or graduate level degrees.
Author(s): Laura K. Hansen, Brandi M. Ellis, Stephanie D. Smith
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 149
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
About the Authors
Introduction
Case Example
The Essentials of Executive Functions
Inhibitory Control
Working Memory
Cognitive Flexibility
Current Treatments for Executive Dysfunction
Academic Accommodations and Medication
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
Effectiveness of the GOALS Program
Implementation of the GOALS Program
Purpose and Structure of the GOALS Program
Who Should Participate?
Basic Manual Structure
Who Should Use the GOALS Program?
User's Guide for GOALS Treatment Manual
General Tips and Considerations
The Importance of Outlining Expectations
Building the Intervention Group and Tracking Progress
References
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Goals Program
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Describe the GOALS Program and Its Rationale
General Overview of the GOALS Program
Why Are Group Members Here?
Why Are Group Leaders Here?
Overall Program Objectives
Expectations for the GOALS Program
Explain How Skills Are Taught
Executive Functions Psychoeducation
The Importance of Executive Functions
Orbitofrontal Cortex
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Hippocampus
Parietal Lobe
Prefrontal Cortex
Skill Introduction: Contingent Self-Rewards
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
References
Appendix 1.1 Session 1 Outline
Introduction to the Group for Organization, Attention and Learning Skills (GOALS)
Appendix 1.2 Session 1 Handout
Executive Functions Psychoeducation
Orbitofrontal Cortex
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
Hippocampus
Parietal Lobe
Prefrontal Cortex
Appendix 1.3 Session 1 Homework
Self-Rewards and Barriers to Success
Chapter 2. Self-Advocacy and Building Motivation
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Extracting Important Information From Course Syallabi
Describe
Demonstrate
Skills Introduction: Effective Communication and On-Campus Resources
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Skills Introduction: Self-Rewards
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Appendix 2.1 Session 2 Outline
Self-Advocacy and Building Motivation
SKILL: Extracting Important Information From Course Syllabi
SKILL: Effective Communication
General Tips
Scheduling and Preparing for Your Meeting
Following Through on What You Learn During Your Meeting
Skill: Self-Rewards
Appendix 2.2 Session 2 Handout
Extracting Vital Information From a Course Syllabus
What is a course syllabus?
Important Elements of a Syllabus
Course Information
Instructor Information
Required Materials
Assignments and Evaluations
Course Outline/Schedule
Policies and Procedures
Keep in Mind
Appendix 2.3 Session 2 Activity
Instructor Role-Plays
Appendix 2.4
Campus Resources Handout Development Guide and Template
Academic Success
Example Academic Success Section
Personal Matters
Example Personal Matters Section
Campus Resources
Academic Success
Personal Matters
Appendix 2.5 Session 2 Handout
Accessing Accommodations
The Americans With Disabilities Act (1990)
Appendix 2.6 Session 2 Handout
Emailing an Instructor
Appendix 2.7 Session 2 Homework
Effective Communication Worksheet
Appendix 2.8 Session 2 Homework
Self-Rewards List
Appendix 2.9 Session 2 Homework
Self-Rewards Implementation Worksheet
Chapter 3. Taking Notes From Lectures and Course Readings
Quick Look
Objective
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Taking Notes From Lectures and Course Readings
Describe
Prepare
Listen
Take notes
General strategies
Electronic note-taking strategy
Handwritten note-taking strategy
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
References
Appendix 3.1 Session 3 Outline
Taking Notes From Lectures and Course Readings
Prepare
Listen
Take Notes
Appendix 3.2 Session 3 Activity
Note-Taking Passage
Appendix 3.3 Session 3 Handout
Blank Note Framework
Appendix 3.4 Session 3 Handout
Note-Taking Example
Chapter 4. Time Awareness and Tuning Out Distractions
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Time Awareness
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Skills Introduction: Mindfulness
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
References
Appendix 4.1 Session 4 Outline
Time Awareness and Tuning Out Distractions
Time Awareness
Mindfulness
Appendix 4.2 Session 4 Handout
Time Awareness Word Search
Appendix 4.3 Session 4 Handout
Mindfulness Exercises
Recognizing Your Body and Surroundings
Mindfully Eating a Piece of Fruit
Examples of Fruit to Use:
Holding/Seeing
Touching
Smelling
Engaging
Tasting
Swallowing
Concluding
Appendix 4.4 Session 4 Homework
Time Awareness Worksheet
Appendix 4.5 Session 4 Homework
Mindfulness Practice
Activity 1
Activity 2
Chapter 5. Prioritizing and Scheduling Tasks
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Listing and Prioritizing Tasks
To-Do Lists
Prioritizing Tasks
Important/Urgent Diagram
Demonstrate
Discuss
Skills Introduction: Scheduling Tasks Using a Planner
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Reference
Appendix 5.1 Session 5 Outline
Prioritizing and Scheduling Tasks
Listing and Prioritizing Tasks
Strategies for Prioritizing Tasks
Using a Planner to Schedule Tasks
Appendix 5.2 Session 5 Handout
Appendix 5.3 Session 5 Homework
Listing and Prioritizing Tasks
Chapter 6. Program Review and Getting Organized
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Mindfulness Practice
Exercise: Focus on a Single Object
Discuss
Check-In
Skills Review
Discuss
Demonstrate
Skills Introduction: Workspace and Course Material Organization
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Appendix 6.1 Session 6 Outline
Organizing Your Workspace and Course Materials
Advantages of Keeping Things Organized
Tips for Organizing Your Workspace and Materials
Chapter 7. Overcoming Procrastination and Coping With Stress
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Overcoming Procrastination
Describe
If overwhelmed→break the task down into smaller and more manageable parts
If Distracted→Use Visual Cues So Tasks Requiring Attention Cannot Be Ignored
If It Is Hard To Get Started→Make Use of Rewards As a Means of Motivation
Demonstrate
Discuss
Skills Introduction: Stress Management
Describe
Distraction by Counting (adapted from Rathus & Miller, 2014)
Distraction by Changing the Emotional State (adapted from Rathus & Miller, 2014)
Self-Sooth by Using the Senses (adapted from Rathus & Miller, 2014)
Where Are You Now?
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
References
Appendix 7.1 Session 7 Outline
Overcoming Procrastination and Coping With Stress
Overcoming Procrastination
Useful Strategies
Stress Management
Appendix 7.2 Session 7 Homework
Implementing Stress Management Techniques
Describe the Stressful Situation
Describe the Stressful Situation
Chapter 8. Planning a Long-Term Project
Quick Look
Objective
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Homework Review
Skills Introduction: Planning a Long-Term Project
Describe
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Appendix 8.1 Session 8 Outline
Planning a Long-Term Project
Planning a Project
The Steps of Planning a Project
Strategies for Success
Appendix 8.2 Session 8 Activity
Planning a Project Worksheet
Chapter 9. Studying for Tests of Varying Formats
Quick Look
Objective
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Introduction: Studying for Tests
Describe
Read
Re-write
Review
Strategies for Specific Test Formats
Multiple-Choice Questions
Short-Answer and Essay Questions
Demonstrate
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Appendix 9.1 Session 9 Outline
Studying for Tests of Varying Formats
General Test Preparation Strategies
Read
Re-write
Review
Strategies for Specific Test Formats
Multiple-Choice Questions
Short-Answer and Essay Questions
Appendix 9.2 Session 9 Activity
Example Practice Questions
Multiple-Choice Questions
Short Answer Question
Essay Question
Appendix 9.3 Session 9 Homework
Practice Study Questions
Chapter 10. Summary of Program and Progress Made
Quick Look
Objectives
Materials Needed
Session Highlights
Detailed Session Content
Check-In
Skills Review
Discuss
Wrap-Up
Appendix 10.1 Skills Review: Sessions 2 through 9
Index
