Counseling Services

Classroom counseling lessons occur within a three-week cycle. We cover ten themes throughout the year:

• Identifying Feelings

• Coping Skills

• Bullying

•  Friendship

• Body Safety

  • Permission slips are sent home prior to these lessons being taught. They have replaced the Take Charge of Your Body program.

• Empathy

• Growth Mindset

• Diversity

• Problem Solving

• Careers

Additional lessons as necessary, including but not limited to topics such as:

• Accountability & Respect

• Testing Anxiety

• Executive Functioning

• Manners

  • Giving and receiving apologies

  • Giving & receiving compliments

Students who need more targeted attention in a specific skill can work with the counselor in a small group setting. Usually 4-6 students at a time, for 8-10 sessions. These sessions occur during non-core instructional periods of the day.

*Student participation is based on a staff and/or student referral system. Parents are notified prior to their student beginning the group.

Small group topics include:

• Friendship boundaries

• Social Skills (of all ages)

• Feelings

  • exploring anger or other "big" emotions

  • coping strategies

• Responsibility

• Resiliency 

• Being successful in school

  • Executive functioning

  • Academic motivation and planning

Students who are experiencing day to day feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety, are always welcome and encouraged to speak to the counselor as needed. Life happens and school counselors help students cope with the unexpected! 

*Speaking with the counselor is not to be considered a replacement to long-term counseling. School Counselors cannot diagnosis and are not mental health counselors. 

If your student would benefit from repeated counseling (past 6-8 sessions), please ask the counselor about Success Street, Waterloo's school-based mental health therapy program. Spots fill quickly for this resource so participation cannot be guaranteed. Please see the "Community Resources" page for more long-term options.