What does a school counselor do? 

This comprehensive school counseling program is multi-tiered and multi-domain, which means that all students are served through schoolwide events and classroom instruction. Additionally, small group intervention may be implemented and individual counseling may be provided, as needed. Counseling domains include academic and social/emotional support, as well as college and career readiness. 

School counselors help remove barriers to learning by teaching students skills they can utilize so that they're ready to learn. I focus on topics like leadership and empowerment, problem solving, positive behavior, improved attendance and academics, coping skills, and social skills. 

Is a school counselor the same as a therapist? 

No. The Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) only allows me to provide short-term services. Students who need intensive, ongoing support are best served by outside agencies who specialize in therapy in a clinical setting. Please do not hesitate to reach out for guidance when determining the most appropriate services for your child. In many cases, I can provide supplemental support to the services that are provided outside of school. 

What should I do if my child is not earning As and Bs?

Take a deep breath! 

Check out this video and article called, How To Get Your Child Motivated in School published by the Child Mind Institute. 

How to Help Your Child Succeed in School by Very Well Family is also a good one. 

Visit the subpage Study Skills on this site to learn more about executive functioning skills and growth mindset. 

What can we expect from the Counseling Program this year?

Several days of instruction have been scheduled where I will visit classrooms to talk about topics like bullying, disability awareness, friendships, and study skills. 

I am looking forward to continue working with the Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) and the Strong Workforce Program, with the common goal of providing career exposure and opportunities to our middle school students so that they are better prepared for high school and post-secondary endeavors.  

The Parent University in Leading Students to Excellence (PULSE 2.0) training workshops will be provided to middle school parents during the month of January. (Please see Upcoming Events for more information). 

 I will be continuing to support the implementation of Leader in Me at our school. I cannot wait to see our students behavior, attendance and academics improve as we provide them with leadership opportunities to make their school a better place. 

Can you tell me everything my child discloses to you?

If a parent or teacher has referred a child to counseling, I have no problem providing an update on the skills we have been learning. Checking progress in many cases, is necessary. However, the details have the sessions are on an "need to know" basis. 

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and Confidentiality: 

"The counseling relationship between students and their school counselor requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence. Students must trust the school counselor to be able to enter into a meaningful and honest dialogue with the school counselor (Iyer & Baxter-MacGregor, 2010). However, students should be informed that exceptions to confidentiality exist in which school counselors must inform others of information they obtained in the counseling relationship to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to students themselves or others and if it is legally required."

Additionally, "School counselors recognize their primary obligation regarding confidentiality is to the student but balance that obligation with an understanding of the family or guardians’ legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives (ASCA, 2016)."