American Indian teenagers have high rates of suicide, school dropout, alcoholism, and drug usage. Even students who are doing well need to explore new experiences and to develop new skills that challenge them to reach for higher goals and help them cope with today's pressures. This guide is intended to assist counselors and teachers design preventive group counseling programs by presenting basic tenets of counseling and specific student activities. Chapter 1 describes a holistic counseling approach that focuses on all emotional, social, mental, and physical factors which contribute to growth and development of the whole person. Chapter 2 discusses developing confidence in students and suggests activities relating to feelings/values/attitudes, families and friends, and decision making. Chapter 3 contains material intended to train teachers/counselors and parents/guardians in the systematic use of behavior modification to bring about improved behavior patterns and self-discipline in Indian children. Chapter 4 addresses the problem of substance abuse, while Chapter 5 presents a primary prevention approach to substance abuse which assists students in developing healthy personality traits, personal/career goals, coping skills, and alternative leisure time activities. Chapter 6 identifies crisis situations and crisis intervention techniques. (NEC)