About the Book
Are you looking for an engaging tool to help students thrive amidst complex family dynamics?
Does this sound familiar? You have a student who is navigating a tough family situation. They feel alone, and you know they need a safe space to feel seen and heard.
That's why we created the 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics workbook. This all-in-one resource gives you the tools to teach crucial academic and social skills in a flexible, low-prep format. Designed for small groups in grades 2-9, the lessons require no additional materials, making it easy to implement.
Acknowledging the diverse landscape of childhood, this curriculum offers vital support for students navigating challenges like divorce, single-parenthood, foster care, kinship care, parental incarceration, and more. Students often internalize their family's circumstances, mistakenly believing they are to blame. This curriculum provides a consistent, supportive environment where they can learn that their worth is not defined by external factors.
Inside, you'll find:
10-12 Complete Lessons with ASCA(R) standards
Comprehensive Action Plan
Permission and Completion Letters to send to caregivers
Attendance Logs
Pre- and Post-Assessments for program effectiveness
Results Report to share with interested parties
Topics include self-awareness, emotional resilience, communication, and conflict resolution. Through reflective exercises, role-playing, and self-affirmation practices, participants will build confidence, enhance their sense of self, and learn how to navigate challenges while setting goals for personal growth and future success.
This workbook's strategic design allows students to empathize, connect with others, and translate their new knowledge into practice. Use 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics workbook to help empower students to understand their value, navigate challenges, and build a strong sense of self, regardless of their family structure!
About the Author :
Ginger Healy, LCSW, is a dedicated advocate for children and families with over 25 years of experience in trauma and attachment. She began her career as a child abuse investigator and hospital social worker before becoming a school therapist, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of developmental trauma. For 15 years, Ginger served as a social service supervisor at an international adoption agency, further deepening her expertise in attachment and the complex needs of children.
As Director of Programs at the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), she co-hosts the Regulated and Relational podcast with Julie Beem, focusing on trauma-sensitive education and therapeutic parenting. Ginger is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer, traveling across the country to equip educators, caregivers, and professionals with tools to build resilience through brain-based, nervous system-informed, and ACEs-aware practices. Her work emphasizes supporting emotional regulation through co-regulation, honoring neurodivergence, prioritizing educator well-being, and creating healing-centered homes, classrooms, and communities.
Ginger is also the author of 30-Minute Groups: Managing Big Emotions: Identifying Triggers, Developing Coping Strategies, and Communicating Effectively and 15-Minute Focus: Regulation and Co-Regulation: Accessible Neuroscience and Connection Strategies that Bring Calm into the Classroom, with accompanying workbook, and additional books on the way. Her books offer practical, compassionate resources for caregivers and professionals. A mother of four, her personal journey with developmental trauma and neurodivergence brings deep empathy to her work. She is committed to fostering safe and connected environments that heal all things human.
Ashley Wright was born and raised in Houston, TX and has been an educator since 2008. She graduated from Sam Houston State University and currently serves as a certified school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her experience as an elementary classroom teacher helped her realize students were having endless challenges dealing with home, school, and peers. Inspired to serve more students, she became a school counselor, connecting with them both at school and in the community. This role allowed her to provide broader social-emotional support, equipping students with tools to build resilience and stronger relationships.
Ashley's commitment to fostering inclusive and comprehensive educational programs has made a significant impact on countless students, families, and educators at the national level. Her exemplary efforts were recognized when she was honored as a 2022 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist and the 2021 Texas School Counselor of the Year. She is also the author of Passion, Purpose, and Position: Reignite Your Passion, Deepen Your Calling, and Lead Positive Change and 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics. In addition to school counseling, Ashley serves as a national speaker and advocate of the profession to teach students and educators to embrace diversity, increase self-esteem, build character, and maintain resilience. It is her divine belief that "Every human being has the unlimited potential to make positive change in one's life."
Review :
As an educator, I know every student's story is unique - and some include tough family situations like divorce, kinship care, or a parent's incarceration. Kids often blame themselves, which makes it so important that they have a safe space to feel seen, heard, and supported. That's why I'm so excited about 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics! This ready-to-use resource is filled with engaging lessons to help students build resilience, strengthen communication, and find hope for the future.
Laura Filtness
School Counselor
If you've ever wished for a practical, all-in-one resource for running small groups, this book is it. 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics is designed for grades 2-9 and makes group planning simple, meaningful, and effective. Inside, you'll find ready-to-use sessions that focus on building self-awareness, emotional resilience, communication, and conflict resolution - skills every student needs to thrive. Each lesson is short enough to fit into a busy school day, but powerful enough to spark important conversations and growth.
What I especially appreciate is how it goes beyond the basics - it emphasizes setting boundaries and developing a strong voice to advocate for yourself. These are life skills our students need not only for school, but for every part of their future. As a counselor, I love when a single resource can check so many boxes: low prep, adaptable across grade levels, and centered on the social-emotional skills that matter most.
Patti Hoelzle
School Counselor
This is a big issue in our schools today with the changing dynamics of families and to help kiddo's understand. This book has ASCA standards, action plans, permission letters, pre and post assessments. Everything you need to work with students in a small group format. The book is set up with minimal prep. There are three different areas it covers; Understanding my story within my family structure, Reframing my narrative: Navigating Family Challenges and Conflict, and Building Confidence, Hope, and a Positive Future. I love how everything is set up and you can just make the copies and go. This would be great for school counselors to help kids learn self-awareness, emotional resilience, communication, and conflict resolution!
Jennifer Wiater
School Counselor
