School-Based Social Emotional Counseling
1 in 5 children experience a mental health disorder but only 50% receive the services that they need.
-National Institute of Mental HealthWe help students develop coping skills and heal from distressing events.
Too many children experience times in their lives when their emotional health is harmed by circumstances beyond their control. Our School-Based Counseling offers our students an opportunity to heal, develop resilience and rebuild emotionally healthy lives so they can thrive academically. The types of services offered include individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management.
Learn about School-Based Social Emotional Counseling
What is Virtual School-Based Social Emotional Counseling?
School-Based Social Emotional Counseling (SBSEC) is for Gahr High School students who are seeking assistance from our Mental Health Professionals for mental health support. Typically, SBSEC is done in person during or after the school day, now we have worked hard to adapt SBSEC in this virtual space. Our Mental Health Professionals conduct SBSEC assessments, treatment plans, and counseling via Google Meet. Counseling is available in two forms, individual and group, if you want to learn more about each type please scroll below to explore their descriptions!
SBSEC is not meant to be long term, it typically will last about 6-8 weeks or sessions depending on the current concerns you have about your mental health and how it impacts your academic success.
How can I sign up for School-Based Social Emotional Counseling?
Signing up is easy! If you are interested in receiving School-Based Social Emotional Counseling (SBSEC) all you need to do is submit a Confidential School-Based Counseling Referral form and a Confidential School Based Counseling Consent form to ghs.src@myabcusd.org as soon as possible!
Not sure if this is a right fit? Feel free to consult with one of our Mental Health Professionals, we are happy to share more information about our program and answer your questions! CLICK HERE to email a Mental Health Professional today!
What is a Referral or a Consent form?
A Confidential School-Based Counseling Referral is a form that tells us, as Mental Health Professionals, why you are asking for help. It asks identifying information so that we can learn a little more about you; it will ask why you want School-Based SE Counseling (SBSEC) or what happened recently that triggered your need for SBSEC and checkboxes that allow you to share a snapshot of the some of the things you have been exposed to such as a recent loss of a loved one, you are new to our school, or you are having panic attacks. These checkboxes give us a greater understanding of the severity of your request for SBSEC. Anyone who works at Gahr High School or the district can submit a referral on the students behalf. Parents and the student themselves can request for SBSEC too!
A Confidential School-Based Counseling Consent is a form that gives us, as Mental Health Professionals, the legal permission to provide the student with continuous School-Based Social Emotional Counseling (SBSEC). In California it is the law to have permission from the student and the parent to provide non-crisis and continuous counseling or therapy to a student. Our consent form also talks about the Limits to our Confidentiality; which means that what the student shares with the MHP during the session is confidential unless the MHP has reasonable suspicion of child abuse, the student is of imminent threat to themselves (risk of suicide), is of imminent threat others (risk of homicide or homicidal intent), or has violated school rules and regulations. If you are a student who has experienced these things it is okay to talk to a Mental Health Professional about, we are trained to manage these types of situations, however, we will take steps to make sure that you feel safe and cared for.
Are you worried that your parent won't sign the Consent Form? CLICK HERE to explore some of our Frequently Asked Questions!
I am in a crisis, what do I do?
Please tell a trusted adult immediately if you are having suicidal thoughts or homicidal thoughts.
Please call 911 immediately if your symptoms are severe. Here is also a list of Crisis Support Hotlines that you can choose from.
Reach out to a Mental Health Professional on our campus here is our email address:
jazmeelah.smith@myabcusd.org for 9th - 10th grade
carol.perez@myabcusd.org for 11th -12th grade
We will contact you and your parent/caregiver as soon as possible to talk to you and help you during this time.
Our Services
Individual Counseling
Our Mental Health Professionals and Master of Social Work Interns provide individual school-based counseling to help your student target specific issues that are affecting their ability to thrive and live joyful lives while in school. Services are typically 6-8 weeks in length and begin with a comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessment that highlights areas of need that are addressed through development of an individualized treatment plan. Sessions are held while school is in session and can vary in frequency from weekly, biweekly, or triweekly. Now that our center is virtual we can host our sessions over the phone or via Google Meet!
Group Counseling
We offer group counseling for our students at Gahr High School that typically last 6-8 weeks long to promote successful school and community functioning as well as mood and behavioral stabilization. Our services begin with the completion of a comprehensive bio psycho social assessment which highlight areas that need attention. Some aspects addressed by these services include trauma, depression, anxiety, anger, and self-harm behaviors.
Crisis Intervention
A crisis is often defined as a situation in which the individual is unable to effectively implement problem solving or other coping skills which can then produce emotional, mental, physical or behavioral distress. A crisis can occur in areas such as school, the client’s home and in the community. Crisis Intervention is the method, or therapeutic tools, used to offer short term help to those experiencing a crisis. The goal of providing interventions is to help stabilize the situation, ensure the student is safe, and return the student back to a place of utilizing successful coping skills. Sometimes, crisis intervention may include individual therapy, psychiatric hospitalization, law enforcement or Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) involvement, or identifying and locating other community resources that can provide further assistance.
Case Management
In addition to mental health services, students may also receive “case management” services which are characterized as building linkages to community resources. Linkages to resources can be provided as direct referrals to outside agencies or community based programs that offer the student and their family connection to much needed information or direct support. Examples of case management linkages include: connecting the student and their family to a food bank, locating programs to help with housing, and application for benefits that provide emergency financial assistance.
Possible signs that your child may benefit from school-based counseling may include:
Episodes of sadness, crying bouts, depression
Excessive anger, aggression
Learning or attention challenges
Unexplained physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches)
A sudden drop in school grades
Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
Signs of alcohol or drug abuse
Anxiety, worry or fear
Exposure to violence
Family stress including separation, homelessness, loss of employment, death, illness
Trauma including neglect, sexual or physical abuse
Trouble adjusting to a new school or neighborhood
Socialization challenges
Disruption at home or school
Do you want more long term services for your student? We recommend that you reach out to your health provider for Mental Health support if you have private insurance.
If you are uninsured or have MediCal click here for resources!