The Waco ISD School Guidance and Counseling Program utilize the Texas Counseling Association and American School Counselor Association models as a guide for the development of our program. Waco ISD counselors strive to provide our students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to achieve academic success, college, and career readiness, and social/emotional development.

Counselors collaborate with other staff members, parents/guardians, and community representatives to devise programs that are supportive and ensure students meet their goals.

The Waco ISD Counseling Program will deliver guidance lessons and interventions by integrating four key components (Texas Education Code (TEC) 33.005):

Waco ISD school counselors provide:

Guidance lessons allow the School Counselor to work with a large group of students. School Counseling Core Curriculum Lessons can include whole-group instruction, discussion, working in groups, art activities, and role-playing. Topics covered in School Counseling core curriculum lessons include: character education, bullying prevention, social skills, career development, conflict resolution, self-control. Units are developed with a focus on the academic, personal/social, and career development of all students and are based on the needs of the students and teachers.

Waco ISD counselors will teach all students basic life skills identified as essential for academic and personal success:

• Self-confidence

• Motivation to achieve

• Responsible behavior

• Decision-making, goal-setting, planning, and problem-solving

• Communication skills

• Cross-cultural effectiveness

Responsive services are designed to meet a student's immediate needs and concerns. Responsive services may include individual or small group counseling or crisis response. Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to contact the School Counselors with any questions or concerns they may have. Students and parents may contact the School Counselor using the online request form located on the Resources page.

Waco ISD counselors assist students with personal concerns or problems that may hinder academic success:

• Short-term individual counseling

• Small group counseling

• Academic concerns

• School-related concerns

*The purpose of school counseling is to provide brief, short-term counseling support and therefore, school counseling should not be used as a substitute for therapy provided by a licensed counseling professional within the community.

Individual Counseling is available for all students. Students can be referred by themselves, teachers, or parents. During individual counseling, students are empowered to create their own goals and to build on their strengths in order to make positive changes. Topics covered during individual counseling will vary based on the student's needs, but can include: making/keeping friends, anger management, conflict resolution, improving academic skills, coping with death, dealing with crisis situations.

Small groups allow the School Counselor to work with four to six students on a specific topic. Groups are usually formed based on a need identified by students, teachers, or parents. Groups meet for six sessions during the student's lunch or specials time. Parent permission is obtained before groups begin. Topics covered in group counseling can include: new student orientation, developing healthy friendships, and reducing test anxiety.

Waco ISD counselors coordinate programs that are designed to support students and families

• Referrals to Multi-tiered Systems of Support

• Teacher and/or administrator consultation

• Parent education workshops

• Staff development for educators

Confidentiality is an important part of the counseling process. School counselors maintain confidentiality unless a student reveals that someone is hurting them, they want to hurt someone else or themselves. Students are encouraged to share their conversations with the counselor with their families.