Counselor Information
WHO IS THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Kamille Garcia graduated at UTPB with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Counseling. I am a Certified Professional School Counselor as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist. I have been working in education since 2011. I was a teacher for 3 years and now entering my 9th year as a school counselor. Please use the contact information listed below if you have any questions.
HOW DOES A STUDENT SEE A COUNSELOR?
Self-referral
Parent-referral
Administrative referral
Teacher or other staff referral
WHY DO PARENTS CONTACT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Concerns over student academic and behavioral achievement
Family difficulties or concerns
Discussing special needs of their child
Early discussion of potential crisis
PARENT COUNSELING REFERRAL
I am a parent and would like for you to speak to my child.
STUDENT COUNSELING REFERRAL
I am a student and I need to speak with you.
Confidentiality Statement
Please be mindful that what is spoken during a counseling session remains confidential. Except if someone is hurting the student, the student wants to hurt someone, or the student is hurting him/herself, then I would have to tell another adult (parents, principal, teacher, etc.) As a school counselor, I do not do any type of therapy but we do discuss current problems they are having and discuss some coping strategies. I normally do not follow up with the parents unless there is a major concern over safety.
SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP STUDENTS BY...
Promoting positive attitudes among students toward self, family, peers, and community.
Assisting students in learning how school performance relates to future opportunities
Working collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to identify and remove barriers to learning
Supporting students by teaching skills for achieving success
Helping students to recognize and make the best of their abilities
Counseling with students individually and in groups
Providing support during personal crisis
SCHOOL COUNSELOR ARE THE HEART OF THE SCHOOL BY...
Helping create a safe school environment where children can learn.
Working with students on attendance issues.
Coordinating referrals to outside agencies.
Helping design interventions to enhance student success.
Developing community partnerships to enhance student career awareness
Helping teachers create a positive learning environment
Helping students learn anger management, conflict resolution, and mediation skills
Helping parents, teachers, administrations in learning how to meet the needs of all students
SCHOOL COUNSELORS CAN HELP IN MANY SITUATIONS...
"My parents are getting a divorce. I don't know what's going to happen."
"I'm new here and I'm having trouble making friends."
"I have a lot of difficulty dealing with my stepchild."
"Fred scores high on standardized test but hardly makes passing grades in school."
"Susie always tells me she doesn't have homework, but found out she isn't doing it."
"I need some ideas for helping students to get along with each other."
"Bill hasn't been himself lately. He seems to be preoccupied with something."
"I have a bad temper and need to learn how to control it."
"Mary has been absent from school an awful lot this year."
"My dad gets so angry when he's been drinking."