• deploy photo Many of our military students are dealing with the cyclical separation from one or more parents. The effects of deployment on children have shown an increased risk in psychosocial issues, including stress, anxiety, behavioral issues, and generalized emotional difficulties (James & Countryman, 2012). Children as well as their remaining family members experience a complex emotional cycle before, during, and after the deployment, and of course this cycle can and most likely will carry over to the school setting.

    Individual and group counseling can be effective methods of helping these students deal with the deployment of a loved one. Counseling groups can create positive in-school supports for students who are experiencing deployment at the same time. For this reason, Beverly Gardens has created a counseling group designed for students whose parents are deployed. The group aims to create a safe space to discuss feelings relating to deployment and personal experiences of being a military child.