What is counseling?
Counseling is a specialized helping process in which a professional offers clients ideas for developing change, sorting out feelings, and/or empathetic and neutral perspective. School counseling is one branch of counseling. School counselors help students in three different areas: academic development, career development, and personal/social development. School counselors help students by modeling kind and professional behavior, listening to concerns, and offering support. School counselors are aware of other counseling services in the community should a student or family need referrals for resources beyond the scope of school counseling. School counseling is not meant to be therapy; rather it is a helping relationship which helps students do their best in a school setting.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent statements educate parents and students about their rights and responsibilities as members of the school community. After reading these Q&As, you should have a better sense of what occurs during a counseling session and why it is sometimes helpful to talk with a counselor.
What type of education is needed to become a school counselor?
School counselors need a bachelor's degree from a 4-year university program, plus a master's degree in counseling. After they receive their master's degree, they apply for a license which requires that they pass appropriate national exams and have experience as an intern in the school counseling field.
What are the benefits to counseling?
School counselors provide a safe environment for students, parents and staff members to talk about things that might be troubling to them. Issues may include concerns about grades, friends, family members, peer pressure, depression or bullying, for example. This list does not cover every issue, but gives an idea of what counselors and students may discuss. School counselors are trained to work with students in grades K-12 and provide assistance, a listening ear, and empathy. Counselors also collaborate with teachers and administrators to help students achieve success in a healthy learning environment.
What are the risks to counseling?
There are no anticipated risks in school counseling. However, as with any type of counseling, issues sometimes arise as students begin processing things they have experienced. Students may experience stress, or another emotion that was present when they first encountered what they discuss in counseling. Parents, please be aware that students may want to share what work they have done in counseling with parents at home, though it is certainly not required. During specific group settings, for example, when students are working through difficult issues, they may need a bit of extra support from their family members. Every student is different, and the type of support necessary will be unique for each student. Ms. Ely is available to speak with parents regarding any concerns or questions they may have. No child is ever required to participate in counseling if he or she does not want to. Counseling is never meant to be a punishment in any way.
Confidentiality and Limits
Most times when a student, teacher or parent talks to a school counselor, information that is shared can remain between the two of them; it is private. This means that the information is confidential. Any adult or child that sees the school counselor can choose to share information with others or keep it private. However, there are a few limits to this. First, if any person ever shares with the counselor that they are a danger to themselves or others, or are at risk to be harmed, the school counselor is required to report this to proper authorities. School counselors work to make the school a safe place for all people. Second, if a court order ever requires that records be used in legal proceedings, the counselor must oblige. Third, counselors sometimes need to consult with other counseling professionals to ensure that they are doing what is best for the client. They do so in as careful a way as possible, so as not to reveal the identity of the student they are discussing. In all three cases when information that a counselor obtained in private is shared, care is taken to ensure as few details are shared as possible. Anonymity is to be preserved if at all possible.
Is there a payment?
The school counselor at Holy Rosary Academy is an employee of the Diocese of Nashville, and as a result, receives a salary just as teachers and administrators do. No payments are accepted for sessions. Sessions are free for all students, parents, and teachers.
To whom do school counselors report?
School counselors, like teachers, report to the School principal, and also their district, in this case, the Dioces of Nashville. The national organization which organizes school counseling practices and ethical procedures is the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Holy Rosary Academy uses the school counseling model supported by ASCA.
What are my rights and responsibilities as a parent?
Parents have a right to know that their child is being seen by the counselor. If a student should be seen more than 1 time by the school counselor, parents will be asked to send the permission form on Page 5. Parents are encouraged to communicate with the counselor if they have questions or concerns. Feel free to contact via e-mail, phone, or written note. Parents are invited to respect that the counselor-student relationship works best if students have some privacy with what they share, understanding that anything of a concerning nature will be reported to the parents. See "Confideniality and Limits" above for more information of what is considered concerning.
What are my rights and responsibilities as a student?
Students have a right to talk with a counselor before school, after school, or during classes with the permission of their teacher. Students also have a right not to see a counselor, or to discontinue individual counseling or group counseling at any time. If a student wants to make an appointment with a counselor, he or she should take any of the following steps:
Emergency Information
Holy Rosary Academy is open during the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. If you need to speak with a counselor and the school is not open, please consult any one of the following numbers for emergency assistance. *School counseling is never a substitute for emergency treatment or psychiatric help. If those services are necessary please call 9-1-1 first.
Important Phone Numbers to Note: