Counselor

What does the school counselor do?

The role of the school counselor is to support all students. School counselors achieve this providing individual counseling, small group counseling, guidance counseling, and responsive services. Here is a snapshot of each service the school counselor provides:

Individual Counseling

Students can see the counselor at any time throughout the school day. Most students come by teacher referral, self referral, or school counselor referral. Parents also make referrals or requests for their child to see the counselor. The school counselor adheres to the code of ethics by the American School Counselor Association. 

*Please note that the school counselor does not perform traditional therapy. However, please feel free to reach out to me if you'd like a list of referrals for outside counseling. 

Small Group Counseling

Throughout the year, I will provide small group counseling to students. Parent permission is requested for a student to join a small group. Past groups have covered topics such as: grief, social skills, friendship skills, divorce, and new students. 

Guidance Counseling

Students see the counselor for guidance lessons on a bi-weekly basis. The school counselor covers three domains as per the American School Counselor Association: academic, social/emotional, and career. Lessons in the past have included Google VR College and Career, Bucket Filling, Veterans Day, Personal Safety, and Digital Citizenship/Safety. 

Responsive Services

Responsive services includes responses to crises or school counseling interventions for immediate conflicts/problems. Family loss, school attendance, physical/emotional/mental abuse and neglect as well as suicide fall into responsive services. 

Resources for parents with a child with serious illness at school

Books

1. “Victoria’s Smile” by Rita Geller
2. “Takin’ Cancer to School” by Kim Gosselin
3. “Why, Charlie Brown, Why: A Story About What Happens When A Friend Is Very Ill” by Charles M. Schulz

Websites

1. www.alexslemonade.org/childhood-cancer/how-to-talk-about-cancer-with-kids
2. www.kidshealth.org/en/kids/friend-cancer.html