MEDICAL LAKE — The school district will be hosting support groups this summer for both children and adults to help process the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first summer they have held groups like this, which were suggested by the interns working with the school district wellness team.
Adreanna Krell, Lauren Johnson, and Alita Crosby are all students at Whitworth University who are working on their master’s in marriage and family therapy. Since school is out for the summer, they were looking for opportunities to continue working with students and the community. Director of Student Services Tawni Barlow proposed a reconnection group in light of recent events for people to get together and start to feel normal again.
Some of the topics of discussion include getting rid of resentment and processing the challenges brought about by COVID-19. Others include battling isolation, utilizing empathy and basic mindfulness skills. Regardless of why someone comes to the group, the facilitators want to provide tools people can use to battle daily stressors.
Crosby works with more families than she does individual students at both the high school and alternative school. “Our program really focuses on the systemic look of the family,” she said. “Individuals play their part in a bigger system. That’s what we like to bring out, not only in our individual therapy but also in a group. Even though individuals have their issues, together we can work on that and see what it looks like.”
During the school year, Johnson primarily works with elementary and middle school students. “It’s really hard to focus in class if they’re struggling with other emotional or social issues,” she said. “One of the big things I like to do is help kiddos regulate their emotions and learn how to identify what they’re feeling.”
Krell works mainly with teenagers. “It is so hard for them,” she said. “They are going through so much, not just academically but socially and even biologically.” All three agreed that online school has been difficult for kids and teachers. Kids do not get the social experience of school sitting behind a screen, and teachers have had to get even more innovative to keep kids engaged.
All three marriage and family therapy interns see these summer groups continuing in the future, even if the topic is not COVID-19.
“Something that people may not realize is that we may be starting to come out of COVID, but that’s a whole transition itself,” Krell said. “I think it’s important to be there for the community as they’re starting to transition into a whole new way of life because it’s never going to be what it was before COVID.”
Both groups will be hosted on July 8, 15, 22, 29, and August 12 and 19. The adult support group has openings at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on those days. The children’s groups will meet at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m.
Riley Kankelberg can be reached at riley@cheneyfreepress.com.
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