School Counseling

• Children learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others.
• Children who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior.
• We know that stress can affect focus and learning, but its impact can be reduced with proven self-regulation strategies.
• Schools, parents, and communities that communicate and collaborate provide the most effective support to children.
• Attitudes formed during elementary school shape future attitudes towards learning, self and society. 

Much like the school nurse, school counseling services are available to all students, not just those with an emotional disability or in a crisis. The school counselor is tasked with the job of helping students feel happy and do their best at school. This is a tall order since so many factors go into kids doing well---their ability to focus and pay attention, their relationships with peers and teachers, how well they can manage their feelings and impulses, and balancing their lives outside of school. School counselors provide a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes student success through school-wide programming, classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, and individual student services.

School counselors frequently see children for a few sessions, or even in the classroom setting. School counselors do not provide ongoing therapy. Although they sometimes help children with family concerns and/or behavior at home, the primary role of the school counselor is to deal with school-related problems. Sometimes an issue is better addressed more intensively in a therapeutic setting and with greater direct parental involvement. Please contact your child's school counselor if you’d like a recommendation for an outside therapist for your child.

Students come to the school counselor in a variety of ways. Usually it’s by recommendation of the classroom teacher and/or parent. Sometimes they are referred by the principal or the district's MTSS team. Often, children will approach the school counselor themselves and ask if they can schedule a time to talk. Your child's school counselor may have a specific way for them to request an appointment.

Children frequently pop in to tell their school counselor about relatively minor or time-limited issues like an argument with a peer or the death of a pet. If that happens, you may not be notified. You will be notified if there is a safety concern, your child has been seen repeatedly, or if the problem is significant (by adult standards). Your child's school counselor will ask your permission if ongoing, regular meetings are recommended. 

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Conflict Resolution
• Emotion Regulation
• Family Changes
• Grief
• Growth Mindset
• Self-Esteem
• Social Skills
• Stress Reduction