What is the most important action for a counselor when ending small-group counseling sessions?

Guiding students in reflections on their initial goals and progress is crucial when ending small-group counseling sessions because it allows participants to internalize what they have learned and experienced throughout the sessions. Reflection helps individuals recognize the growth they have achieved, understand the skills they have developed, and evaluate how they have met their goals. This process promotes self-awareness and enables students to make connections between their experiences in the group and their real-life situations. Furthermore, it reinforces the counseling process by validating their efforts and encouraging a sense of accomplishment, which can foster continued personal development beyond the group setting.

The other options, while beneficial in their own right, do not focus on this essential aspect of self-reflection and evaluation, which is fundamental to the learning and growth that occurs in any counseling context.