FAQ

1. When should you seek counseling?  

There are times when we all need a little help to solve problems that overwhelm us or cause emotional stress.  Counselors provide caring, expert assistance during these times.  Counselors help you identify stressors in your life and assist you in finding the best ways to cope by finding constructive ways to deal with a situation beyond your control. 

2.  My family is going through a transition and I'm concerned about my child. 

If your family is experiencing a transition (such as moving, changing schools, family additions, divorce), you may see some changes in the behavior of your child.  This is absolutely normal!  Children adjust to transitions very differently depending on the child and the situation, so don't be surprised if it does take a while.  Providing stability and routine in your child's life is important, in addition to a nurturing and supportive environment can help.  We are happy to consult with you and discuss the possibility of help with counseling services if needed, or resources that can help. 

3.  How can I talk to my child about bullying? 

If your child has been bullied at school, speak to your child's classroom teacher, principal, and counselor so they can help.  You can offer suggestions such as ignoring the bully, walking away, telling them to stop, using an "I" message, and going to a trusted adult (which is not tattling; this is requesting assistance with a serious problem). 

4.  Can a school counselor provide individual counseling? 

We do see students on a 1-1 basis when self-referred, or when referred by a teacher/parent.  Due to time constraints, we do not provide ongoing therapeutic counseling services.  If further help is needed we can recommend local counselors in the area to continue services.

5.  How long does counseling take? 

Counseling is terminated when the problem that you pursued counseling for becomes resolved or more manageable.  The amount of sessions that student may need is evaluated on a case by case basis.  Typically students need to see a therapist for approximately 10 sessions to begin to make progress with the problem they began therapy for.

6.  Are parents notified when a student visits the counselor? 

Parent notification depends on the purpose of the student’s visit.  We provide our students with school based counseling services that are compliant with educational code and school counseling standards, which does allow for students to speak with counselors in a confidential manner.  Counselors will notify parents in cases where we have concerns for the child's safety, safety of others, cases of bullying and cyber-bullying. 

7.  Is information shared with the counselor also shared with my student's teachers?

Personal information shared with the counselor is not shared with the classroom teachers unless permission to share the information is granted by the student or the parent.  Academic information applicable to classroom performance will be shared with the professional educator.