Westside Counseling Services  

The counseling program at Westside is designed to be preventative and developmental. I am happy to have this opportunity to work with students as they navigate through their elementary years of school.  Participation in counseling services does NOT indicate any sort of problem and  all students can benefit from having someone to talk to or being in a small group to work on targeted skills.

School-Based Counseling Services:

• Individual Check-ins & Sessions  (parent consent required)

• Group Sessions (parent consent required)

• Classroom Guidance Lessons (provided to all students)

• Mindful Lunch (offered during lunch recess- pass from the counselor required)

• Conflict Mediation

• Goal Setting / Time Management

Individual Sessions

Students can request to speak to me by filling out a Request form by paper or electronically. Individual sessions are solution-focused and short-term. The purpose is to help the student cope with their current situation, so that they can be successful in the classroom and in life. Participation in individual sessions is completely voluntary and confidentiality will be addressed and respected. School Counselors CANNOT provide long-term mental health therapy, and typically meet with a student no more than 3-5 continuous times over a school year.  If on-going therapy is needed from a licensed therapist, a referral to an outside mental health provider can be facilitated.  Referral to Care Solace (outside agency) 

Small Group Sessions

Students are selected for groups based on a variety of data including teacher input, minute meeting responses, referrals, etc. Groups meet once a week for 4-8 weeks for 20-30 minutes per session during the school day. Groups are designed to build skills that a student will need to be successful in the classroom and throughout life. Participation in the group is completely voluntary and confidentiality will be addressed and respected. 

Group Topics:

Sea of Friends Friendship Group K-2

Strong Start SEL K-2

Strong Kids SEL 3-6

Calm Down Crew (Self-Regulation) 

Anger Management

Test Stress/Anxiety

Worry Warriors/Mindful Humans

Grief Support

Study Skills

Guidance Lessons & School-wide Activities

Guidance lessons will take place in classrooms once a month. School-wide activities tied to themes will also take place. 

Mindful Lunch

Available to all students in Grades 3-6. It is a peaceful place for students to come relax and play games with peers. Passes will be handed out at first recess. Counseling Consent form is not needed. No counseling takes place during Mindful Lunch.