Individual counseling in the school setting is short-term and focused on specific goals. It is designed to help students explore concerns, identify potential causes, consider alternatives, and understand possible outcomes so they can make informed decisions and take appropriate action.

Please note, school counselors do not provide therapy or long-term mental health counseling. Support for students who have experienced trauma or are in need of ongoing mental health services falls outside the scope of school counseling.

If you are looking for local behavioral or mental health providers, please visit the “Support" section of our website for a list of community resources.

Our school counselors visit each classroom at least once a month to deliver structured, developmentally appropriate lessons. These lessons align with the South Carolina Comprehensive School Counseling and Career Guidance Standards, as well as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success.

Classroom lessons focus on student growth across three key domains: Academic Development, Social/Emotional Learning, and Career Awareness. In compliance with South Carolina state law (Erin’s Law), we also provide instruction on personal safety.

Whenever possible, we use evidence-based curricula to support our instruction. Lessons are also tailored to meet the unique needs of each classroom and often incorporate children’s literature to engage students in meaningful ways.

These lessons not only ensure we meet state-mandated standards but also help us build positive relationships with all students establishing a foundation of trust should they seek individual support later in the school year.

Small Group Counseling Services

We offer small group counseling to support students in addressing challenges that may interfere with their academic achievement or overall success in school. Group topics are selected based on student needs and school data, including academics, behavior, and attendance.

Possible Small Group Topics:

• School Success Skills
  
  

• Social Skills
  
  

• Self-Regulation
  
  

• Grief & Loss
  
  

• Family Changes
  
  

• Self-Esteem
  
  

Groups typically consist of 4–6 students and meet 1 - 2x a week for 4–6 sessions. Meeting times are carefully coordinated with teachers to ensure students do not miss essential academic instruction.

Students may be referred to a small group by a teacher or staff member, a parent/guardian, or through self-referral. If your child is referred, a permission/informative form will be sent home for your review and signature.

If you feel your child would benefit from participating in a small group, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s school counselor to explore available options.

• Sharing information to help their children grow academically, socially, and explore future careers
  
  

• Connecting families with helpful resources both within the school and in the community
  
  

• Hosting quarterly district-wide parent sessions to provide insight on current trends and practical strategies to support their child’s needs
  
  

• Sending out informal newsletters each quarter to keep families informed and engaged