Counseling and Advising Informed Consent

Counseling and Advising Informed Consent

Counseling and Advising Services with Platte Canyon School District 1 engages every student in a personalized, well-rounded and excellent education, preparing students to be college and career ready. Social learning is a critical component in student success therefore, District 1 offers a comprehensive social learning framework. This evidence-based framework offers positive climate culture structures, explicit and embedded social learning activities, as well as direct support services. These services may be provided through classroom lessons, small groups or individual sessions. School Counselors, School Social Workers, and School Psychologists work collaboratively at each school to identify and support success and social learning. 

As a parent, I understand that school counseling services are short-term services aimed to improve academic, personal, and social-emotional development. I understand that these services are not intended as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment for any mental health disorder. I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to determine whether additional or different services are necessary, and whether to seek them for my child. I understand that there may be both risks and benefits associated with participation in counseling. School counseling may improve my child’s ability to relate with others, provide a clearer understanding of himself/herself, along with values, goals, and an ability to deal with everyday stress. I understand that school counseling may also lead to unanticipated feelings and change, which might have an unexpected impact on my child and his/her relationships. 

The provider (School Counselor, School Social Worker, School Psychologist) is required by law to share information with parents or others in certain circumstances: presenting a serious danger to self or another person, evidence or disclosure of abuse (physically or sexually) or neglect, and or threats to school security. Colorado law allows minors 12 years or older to seek and obtain psychotherapy services with or without the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian if the mental health professional determines (i) the minor is knowingly and voluntarily seeking the psychotherapy services and (ii) such services are clinically indicated and necessary to the minor’s well-being. While the law allows, District 1 providers (School Counselor, School Social Worker, School Psychologist) recognize the importance of involving/notifying parents/guardians and will make every effort to do so unless deemed inappropriate. 

The counselor will make the child aware of these limits of confidentiality and will inform the child when sharing information with others. If you would like the counselor to share information with a third party, such as a community counselor, psychiatrist, social services worker, or pediatrician, you will need to sign an additional release of information form.