Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Counseling

Who should I contact if my student needs to speak to a counselor? 

Our school counseling team uses last name alpha for counseling services. Please connect with your student's alpha counselor to get support. 

Last Names A-G: Amanda Grassia (Ms. Amanda) 

Last Names H-O: Jennifer Asmann (Ms. A)

Last Names P-Z: Andrea Guevara (Ms. G) 

When can I meet with my student's counselor? 

Student meetings are based on staff availability. Parent/guardian meetings typically take place before school (8:00am-8:55am) or after school (3:15pm-4:00pm) to not interrupt the student during their school day. When appropriate, students are welcome to join meetings taking place about them. 

What are some reasons to see a counselor?

There are many different reasons to see a counselor.  However, a student would connect with a school counselors if they need support with academic, social/emotional or college/career related topics. Topics that are frequently addressed in counseling sessions include managing big emotions, navigating friendship changes or conflicts, improving executive functioning skills, experiences at home or with family, life transitions, anxiety and coping strategies and more. 

What happens during a counseling session? 

School counselors are not therapists. We provide short-term, solution focused interventions for students for social/emotional, academic and college/career needs. If your student is receiving counseling services, a counselor will meet with your student 1 time per week for 20-30 minutes. During a session, students will be given time to share what is happening in their life, will learn or practice a skill related to their need, and will make a plan for "homework"/ways to use the skill in real life. Your counseling team will provide resources for your student and family and will connect with parents/guardians on a regular basis related to the counseling plan. 

What does “confidentiality” mean as it relates to a counseling session?

In a counseling session, confidentiality means that anything said in the session “stays in the session." We communicate to students that, "What you say in here, stays in here." Students can elect to have information in a session shared with others (i.e. parents/teachers) by giving verbal consent. School counselors are bound by confidentiality unless a student reveals they are hurting themselves, someone is hurting them or they want to hurt another person. In cases where confidentiality is "broken," a counselor may need to share the information with other staff, administrators, parents or other community resources (police, CPS, social workers, etc.). 

When can students see a counselor?

The counselors at D39C have an “open door” policy.  This means that if a student walks into the counseling center and a counselor is available, then the counselor would be more than happy to meet with that student at that time. A student can meet with a counselor before school, after school, or during lunch. If a student is experiencing a crisis and needs to speak to a counselor, counseling passes are available in each learning space and the student will need to ask their teacher for permission to go to the counseling center. 

I am a student. How can I schedule a meeting with my counselor? 

To schedule a meeting with a counselor, a student needs to fill out the referral form (posters located in classrooms and hallways). Once the form is submitted, the counselor will send a counseling pass for the student with information about the time and place for the meeting as soon as possible. 

I am concerned about my student (academically/behaviorally/emotionally). What steps should I take? 

Student concerns can be shared with classroom teachers, counselors or administrators. At D39C, we collaborate with parents to make a plan to best support your student. This plan typically follows the process of meeting and discussing concerns, creating an intervention plan with the teacher/counselor/parent, and having a follow up meeting to check the progress of the intervention. Students at D39C may be supported through RTI (response to intervention), a 504 plan or an IEP .