Embedded Files
Counseling Services
About counseling
About counseling
We are dedicated to promoting a positive school environment and improving the academic achievement of all students. Individual and group counseling is provided to students whose personal concerns or problems put their personal, social, career and/or educational development at risk.
In addition, our comprehensive school counseling program is designed to support the overall growth and success of every student through multiple components:
Guidance Curriculum: Helps students develop their full educational potential, including exploring their interests and career objectives.
Responsive Services: Provides interventions for any student whose immediate personal concerns or problems put their continued educational, career, personal, or social development at risk.
Individual Planning: Guides students as they plan, monitor, and manage their own educational, career, personal, and social development.
System Support: Assists teachers, staff, parents, and community members in promoting the educational, career, personal, and social development of students.
Senate Bill 12: Does the law affect academic counseling from school counselors?
No. Parental consent is not required for school counselors to provide academic services. Counselors will continue to support students with:
Course selection and scheduling
College and career readiness planning
Academic goal setting and monitoring
General school success strategies
Note: This law (SB 12) only applies to mental and behavioral health-related counseling services, not academic counseling.
What school cousneling mental-health realted services may be performed for my child without consent?
What school cousneling mental-health realted services may be performed for my child without consent?
Parental consent is not required for these services:
Medical emergencies or those required by law including:
Immediate help if a student is at risk of self-harm or experiencing suicidal thoughts
Support for grief after a death or traumatic event
Situations involving suspected abuse or neglect (required by law to report)
Other urgent matters required by state or federal law
Note: Under Texas law, a child may also consent to their own counseling in specific cases, including:
Suicide prevention
Chemical addiction or dependency
Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
What school counseling services related to mental health require additional consent beyond the SB12 form
What school counseling services related to mental health require additional consent beyond the SB12 form
School counselors do not provide some services and would require separate parental consent through outside providers, such as:
Medical or psychological diagnoses
Long-term therapy, counseling, or treatment
Note: VISD counseling staff do not provide medical or psychological diagnoses, long-term therapy, or treatment. When students need these types of services, families are connected with community agencies that require their own parental consent.
Who provides the school counseling services related to mental health?
Who provides the school counseling services related to mental health?
School Counselors and Responsive Services Counselors provide short-term, school-based counseling and crisis support.
Guidance lessons are provided during pirate power that help students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. These activities are not counseling or therapy.
If I deny consent to school counseling services related to mental health, what happens in an emergency?
If I deny consent to school counseling services related to mental health, what happens in an emergency?
In a serious emergency, staff will still act to protect your child’s safety and will contact you immediately.
Will my child's information be kept secret?
Will my child's information be kept secret?
Yes. All health records are protected under state and federal privacy laws.
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