Referral Process FAQ

From Christy Willis, Elementary School Guidance Counselor:

If your child is referred to the school counselor, the very word “counseling” may make it sound like a mysterious process. It isn’t!  Counseling is a relationship built on trust. Adequate information is the foundation of trust—all involved must have information about the limits and processes of counseling. The following information describes the overall process of counseling.

How students are "selected" for counseling:
Students may be referred to the Professional School Counselor (PSC) for individual and/or small group counseling by their parents or guardians, school faculty and staff, a concerned friend, or themselves. When a referral is received, the PSC meets with the student and the classroom teacher to determine the next steps.
Who provides the counseling?
Counseling is provided by a state certified Professional School Counselor (PSC). The PSC has a Master’s degree with an emphasis in school counseling.
Counseling for your child is voluntary.
It is your choice to consent to or decline counseling for your child.
What counseling for your child will involve:
Counseling may include small group or individual sessions. During the sessions, your child and I will work together to help him or her understand the problem, the present and future consequences, develop goals for change and a plan of action for change. A variety of activities will be used, e.g., writing, role-play, art, focused discussions.
Sharing of Information
Trust is the basis for effective counseling. The ethical guidelines of the American School Counselor Association emphasize the importance of confidentiality between school counselors and students at the same time recognizing the rights of parents. As a parent or guardian, you must trust that I will “take good care of” one of your most prized possessions. Your child must know and trust that, what is shared with me will stay with me unless he or she gives me permission to share information or if I suspect child abuse, if he or she is in danger of hurting himself or herself or poses a danger to others.
Confidentiality
Trust and confidentiality work together. Counseling records do not become a part of the student’s permanent record except as required by school policy. We may indicate that a student was seen by the Professional School Counselor; however, the topics discussed are not included unless required by the school board policy. The requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are enforced—information will not be released to anyone outside our school without your written permission. I may talk with the classroom teacher about how he or she can help your child in the classroom; however, specific information will not be shared.
Possible outcomes
Through counseling, your child may be taught strategies to help him or her make more effective and healthier decisions, increase the ability to set and reach goals, build better relationships with others, and be more successful in school. We all must realize that changes take time; his or her problem did not develop overnight, nor will it disappear overnight. Counseling will be successful when students, school counselors, teachers, and family members work as partners.
Cost:
There is no cost to you for any of the counseling your child receives as a part of our district’s Comprehensive Guidance Program.

Please contact me if you want more information or have ideas about how we can better help your child.
(417) 736-7000 ext. 2208

Content adapted from web resources