School Counseling Services/FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about School Counselors/Program
What services does the School counselor provide?
School Counselors
provide preventive and intervention services, which are integrated into
all aspects of children’s lives. Counselors provide appropriate tools
for communicating, making decisions, and developing friendships and
coping skills, and provide services by facilitating small group
counseling, providing immediate short-term counseling when needed and
providing support during a personal crisis. In addition, counselors
work collaboratively with teachers and parents to help their student
succeed in academic, career, personal and social development, and
provide referrals for community resources.
How does my child get referred to the counselor?
Students
can see their School Counselor via self-referral, parent/guardian
request, request of the counselor, administrative referral, and/or
teacher or staff referral.
How do parents contact the counselor?
Parents
are invited to contact the school counselor at any time via phone or
email regarding their child. We can discuss your concerns over the
phone or you can come in to meet with your child’s counselor. Parents
can call or email the School Counselor to set-up a conference.
How do I get referred for outside services?
The
role of a school counselor is to assist children during their school
day. This may include issues with friends, test anxiety, social issues,
and problems at home that are affecting their school day. When there are
difficulties at home (i.e. divorce, death of a loved one) that are not
affecting the child at school or are affecting the child greatly at
school, there are times when outside, private counseling may be
necessary. If you decide private counseling is necessary for your
family, your counselor can provide information about community based
mental health services.
If a student is getting outside services, what is the school counselor’s role?
The
school counselor can collaborate with the outside service providers if
needed. There is a form that the school counselor might give you titled,
Permission to Communicate/Release of Reports & Records, which will
allow communication between providers.
What are the parameters around confidentiality?
Confidentiality
is an important aspect of counseling; this is how the counselor builds
trust with the student. What the child says during counseling is to
remain between the counselor and the child unless: 1. The child is in
imminent danger. 2. The child is threatening to harm him/herself or
someone else. 3. The child reports an incident of abuse and/or neglect.
4. The child gives permission to disclose. When a breach in
confidentiality is necessary, I would make a report to the appropriate
agencies, support staff and/or parents depending on the situation. Note:
School counselors and other school staff members are mandated
reporters. Mandated reporters are required by law to report to CPS any
time a student is suspected of being in danger.
How can I get a hold of the counselor?
The
counselor is available 7:55-2:50 Monday- Friday and during extra help
hours (please refer to the MS extra help schedule). You can reach them
by phone, email, or meet with him/ her in person.
Why would my child see you?
Students
may be referred to the school counselor if there are concerns that are
inhibiting their learning here at school. Some concerns, but not limited
to are: Behavioral, social/ emotional, and academic concerns.
Will you notify me if you spoke to my child?
Parents
are notified at the discretion of the counselor. If a counselor will be
seeing a student on an on-going basis, the counselor will notify the
parent and seek parental consent for school counseling.
Is a student in trouble if they see the School Counselor?
If
your child meets with their counselor, it does not mean your child is
in trouble or “bad.” In fact, a counselor is an adult who acts as your
child’s advocate! An advocate is someone who wants to listen to what you
have to say and help you come up with reasonable solutions to making
your situation better. It does not mean that your counselor can solve
the problem for you; it does mean that you have a safe place that you
can go to when you are not sure what to do.