How would a student request to see a counselor at school?

• On the page titled REQUEST A COUNSELOR there is a link to a Google Form. The student will fill this out completely and will be put on the request list. Requests are looked at and completed during school hours only.

• There is also a page titled STAFF - REFER A STUDENT where staff members can fill out a Google Form to refer a student to the counselor.

If a student requests to see you, how will the parent know?

• The general rule of thumb through Denton ISD is to alert parents after the third meeting with the student. Because some students only need to talk or vent once or twice, it would be very difficult to alert every single parent each time this happened.

• Generally speaking, three or more meetings suggests a need for consistency and potential parent involvement/awareness.  An exception to this is if the student discloses something that needs further intervention or to be reported.  See "Limits of Confidentiality" below.

Can you tell the parent everything the student says in counseling?

• While the paren has the right to information regarding their student, it may not always be in the best interest of the student to disclose everything. Confidentiality and trust are extremely important aspects of the counseling relationship, and for that reason we prefer to provide general updates rather than verbatim reports to parents.

• An exception to this is if a student discloses something that needs further intervention or to be reported. See "Limits of Confidentiality" below. Please feel free to reach out if you have questions on this.

What do counseling services entail?

• We do not provide in-depth counseling sessions to students.  When we meet with students, the services we provide typically include processing of emotions, psychoeducation, teaching of coping skills/life skills, crisis intervention, and connection to community resources. 

I don't need counseling. I'm not "crazy." Why should I be seen by the counselors?

• This is a common misconception about seeing a counselor. This could not be further from the truth! Counselors provide a safe, unbiased, professional space to anyone where improving mental health is the goal. When was the last time someone listened to you objectively, patiently, with their full attention, and without trying to "fix" the situation or share their opinions? This is what the counseling experience is like! We could all use that from time to time.

Will everything I talk about be confidential?

• Absolutely! Whatever is said in the counseling office is confidential, with the following exceptions:

  • • Limits of Confidentiality:

1. If the student plans to harm themselves or someone else (self-harm/suicide/threats)

2. Abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of a child

3. Abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of an elder

4. If the counselor receives a subpoena or court order to disclose records

5. If the student or their parents give me written permission to share information

• Here is Denton ISD's Counseling & Social Work Department's statement on confidentiality:

  • • A student's right to privacy and confidentiality is the basis for an effective counseling relationship. Confidentiality ensures that school counselors won't share students' disclosures with others except when the student and/or parent/guardian authorizes it or when there is a clear and present danger to the student and/or to other persons. 

    • Parents and guardians can contact their campus counselor directly for more information regarding counseling services and/or to inquire about specific services for their student. 

In a school setting, counseling information is only made available to teachers and staff based on educational need.