What Does My Counselor Do?
Classroom Guidance
Developmental classroom guidance lessons are an opportunity to provide information and support to the entire student body. The goal of classroom guidance is to provide developmentally appropriate lessons in grades K-5. Lessons are designed based on county curriculum standards focusing on students’ academic, personal/social and career development.
Examples of classroom topics:
- feelings
- developing a positive self-image
- understanding and acceptance of others
- developing problem-solving and decision-making skills
- goal setting
- test-taking skills
- career awareness
- friendship
Group Counseling
Small group counseling works with three or more students on the same topic. Group counseling allows students to share similar experiences or problems with their peers. This in turn takes away the feeling of isolation many students feel when they are having a problem.
Group sessions are structured learning activities and are held with age appropriate peers. Group sessions include various activities such as drawing, role-playing, reading books, playing games, and group discussions.
Groups are held throughout the year based on the needs of the students. Some group topics include:
- Stress
- Anger management
- Social Skills
- Test taking skills
- Organization
- Divorce
- Friendship
- Self-Esteem
- Conflict resolution
Students may be referred to a group by the teacher, parent or administrator. A signed permission slip is always needed by a guardian in order for a student to participate in a group.
Individual Counseling
Counseling is provided on an individual basis for students. Individual counseling is available to students who are having difficulties dealing with relationships, family/personal concerns, or if day to day tasks are proving to be difficult and overwhelming. These difficulties need to be interfering with school work and prohibiting the student from active participation in the classroom setting.
Students are referred to the counselor by:
- classroom teacher
- administrator
- student him/herself
- parent or guardian