Counseling Services Overview

Overview of Counseling Department

I am available for teachers, parents, and students to assist with any difficulties or problems that may interfere with school success. Students can be seen for small group counseling, and/or short term individual counseling at the request of the parents, teachers, or students. The school counselor works collaboratively with parents, school professionals, and students to facilitate all students' academic, emotional, and social growth. It is the counselors' responsibility to identify and remove barriers that may impede academic achievement.

To refer your child for help from Mrs. Holden, please call, email, or fill out the Guidance Referral form.

Classroom Guidance

Due to Covid, classroom guidance will look a little different this year. Teachers will be given lessons to teach during PRIDE time each month. Normally, Mrs. Holden will be meeting with all grade levels throughout the school year. These sessions focus on a specific issue that could negatively impact learning and/or social development and were designed around the American School Counselor Association Standards.

Some of the topics that may be covered are:

• Anger

• Bullying Awareness/Prevention

• Kindness

• Personal Body Safety

• Self-Esteem

• Career Awareness

• Self-Control

• Internet Safety

• Empathy

• Growth Mindset

• Friendship

• Middle School Transitions

Individual Counseling

Students at PHMS are able to meet one-on-one with the school counselor to discuss issues that are affecting their academic success. The school counselor uses different techniques as a way to discuss school counseling goals as outlined by the American School Counselor Association. This includes helping students reach their academic, personal, social, and career potential.

Small Group Counseling

Another counseling service that will be available to students at PHMS, after Covid has ended, is group counseling. This is done by topic, such as resilience, friendship, grief/loss, divorce, feelings, etc. These groups and topics are based on a needs assessment completed by classroom teachers and from parent, teacher, and school staff feedback.

Other School Counselor activities

Throughout the year Mrs. Holden is present with or involved with many other activities including:

• Serving on the school based leadership team

• Participating in Student Intervention Team (SIT) meetings

• Special events related to Day of Caring, College Go! Week, Bullying Prevention Month, etc.

• Creating monthly newsletter

• Managing the School Counseling Web page and Facebook page

Ongoing Professional Development

• Boys in Crisis, aha! Process training Ruby Payne, April 2020

• Suicide Update/Assessment- June 2020

• Trauma Informed Resilient Schools, online training through Starr Commonwealth, April 2020