Welcome to the Huntertown Counseling Corner
Support Your Students Growth
Explore these resources and discover connection with your student!
Meet Your Therapist
My name is Nick Porritt and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I have worked with elementary school students for most of my career, along with families, couples, and adults. I have always gravitated towards working with students because of how positively I was impacted by teachers and mentors who supported me. I have an experiential approach to therapy where I've used Photography, Horses, Adventure Skills, Music, Art, and more. I look forward to serving this school community and growing it to it's full potential.
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Effective Ways to Communicate to your Student
Stay Calm and Composed
Maintain a gentle tone and body language.
Model the behavior you expect from the child.
Get on Their Level
Physically lower yourself to make eye contact at their level.
This helps the child feel heard and reduces intimidation.
Use Simple, Clear Language
Avoid complicated or abstract words.
Use age-appropriate explanations and directives.
The younger the student, the less explanations they need (just need directives)
Listen Actively
Show empathy by nodding and repeating back what they’ve said to confirm understanding.
Allow them to express their feelings without interruption.
Acknowledge Their Emotions
Validate their feelings (e.g., "I see you're upset, because of _____").
This helps the child feel understood and de-escalates frustration.
Offer Choices
Give two acceptable options to give them a sense of control (e.g., "Would you like to sit here or over there to talk?").
This can empower the child and promote cooperation.
Avoid Blame and Accusation
Focus on describing the situation rather than blaming (e.g., "I noticed you had trouble sharing" instead of "You’re being selfish").
Encourage Problem-Solving
Ask questions like, “What do you think we can do to make this better?”
This encourages critical thinking and shared responsibility in finding solutions.
Be Patient
Children may need extra time to process their emotions and respond.
Don’t rush them; give space for reflection if needed.
Some behaviors don't change quickly and require constant correction and consistency.
Follow Up with Positive Reinforcement
Acknowledge any progress or attempts to communicate (e.g., "Thank you for sharing how you feel").
Reinforce good behavior with positive feedback.
Be a Leader Worth Following
Some leaders pull people ahead while others encourage from beside. As a parent, we can be both. Know how to lead your student in a way that is worthy of being followed. If you would not respond well to how you are communicating with them, then find a new approach. It's helpful to seek out advice from other parents and even teachers who may have another perspective on the conflict.