• Can you check on my child throughout the year?

    I check in with students on a regular basis, depending on the need of the student. I stay in contact with teachers who have concerns about their students and make sure I follow up. If a parent has a concern for this student, they can send me an email. If a teacher has a concern, the teacher can fill out the staff referral form.

    Can you stay in contact with parents throughout the year?

    I will have a newsletter for the 2024-2025 school year that will give information on what I am teaching each month in guidance as well as some other information that might be useful. I am available to talk with any parent about their student, however, due to confidentiality, I cannot talk to you about what your student has said to me. I can give a general statement regarding how your student is doing, but I cannot go into details. The only time that confidentiality does not apply is:

    Someone is hurting you

    You want to hurt yourself

    You want to hurt someone else

    You give me permission to share what you have told me with someone.

    When can a student see you, and how available are you to students?

    Students can come see me whenever they need to. If I am not there, I have self-referral forms outside of my office that they can fill out and put into my mailbox. I will make sure to take care of each student in the order that it was given to me, unless there is a crisis that needs my attention first. Students can also ask their teacher to reach out to let me know that they need to schedule a time for their student to see me.

    Can teachers/other students overhear what my child is saying to you?

    No. My office door is always closed when a student is with me. I have a sign outside my door that lets anyone know when I am with a student. Confidentiality is one of the biggest things that I strive for in my comprehensive counseling program. The four points above (see number 2) are the only times that I would break confidentiality.

    Do you do small group counseling? Individual counseling?

    Yes. I do both. Small group and individual counseling happens on a short-term basis. Each group meets between 6-8 sessions. Each individual meets for about 2-3 sessions. School counseling is a short-term solution. Any student that needs long-term mental health services will be directed to outside services.

    Do you have any virtual mental health services through the school?

    Yes! SMCISD is in partnership with TCHATT. This is a program that holds virtual counseling sessions with licensed professionals. Each student gets about 5-6 sessions, and the sessions can be done at school on their device. The only requirement is for parent to login during the first meeting to give information that the school counselor may not have and at the beginning of every session after that to arrange the next appointment.

    Where is your office located in the school?

    My office is catty corner to the Art room. I have a big display outside about our SEL curriculum that we use called Character Strong. This makes my office easily identifiable!

    Why should I contact you if my child is having a difficult time or needs someone to talk to?

    Mental health is an important part of any person's well-being. If a student has things weighing on them or needs to talk with someone, it is best to let them talk to someone who can listen and help them problem-solve. Sometimes, students want to talk to someone that is not related to them. I am here to offer that support.

    How long does it take for you to respond to phone calls/emails/text messages?

    Because of my schedule, it might take me a little longer to respond to any of these three things because I am teaching classes or meeting with students. I do have a 24-hour policy set in place to return messages. There are times when I will have to email you to let you know I received your call and will get back to you when I am able.

    Why did you become a school counselor?

    I became a school counselor because mental health is important. I feel that if you start teaching coping skills and resiliency skills early, you have a greater chance of them sticking with students through adulthood. I also enjoy building relationships with staff and students and being able to be there to help them with what they need.