Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is provided for students who are in a state of transition and in need of support of someone who stands outside the situation. This support is provided within the guidelines of the Missouri Model Guidance Program. Students may be referred for counseling by a parent, a teacher or themselves. Typically, individual school counseling is short-term with a problem solving focus. Issues that a counselor might address with students:
- peer relations
- school performance
- anxiety
- family change
- grief
- self-esteem issues
- anger management
- conflict resolution
- new students
- middle school transition
Many times, students will request a visit with the counselor regarding a situation at school and we will meet briefly to try to resolve the situation, particularly if there has been a problem on the playground in the classroom, lunchroom, etc. with another student(s). These types of visits do not require prior permission from a parent, however I encourage students to go home and share with their family that we spoke and explain why we met.
If the problem situation resulted in some type of consequence, the student will meet with the focus facilitator or principal. The counselor does not see students for discipline, but rather to assist in conflict resolution so that the student may return to class and have productive work time.
If a student requires on-going counseling, the counselor will contact the parent to discuss the issues. Should students need more intense counseling; your counselor can assist you with information about resources in the community.