COUNSELING

Contact Information

• Your Southside Counseling Team

  Kama Mayfield

  615.444.6330 extension 5906

  SES Counseling Information

• “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.”

   - Rita Pierson

  Why do kids need School Counseling?

  • Children learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others.
  • Children who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior.
  • We know that stress can affect focus and learning, but its impact can be reduced with proven self-regulation strategies.
  • Schools, parents, and communities that communicate and collaborate provide the most effective support to children.
  • Attitudes formed during elementary and middle school shape future attitudes towards learning, self, and society.

  Counseling Services

  • brief individual counseling
  • small group counseling
  • classroom counseling lessons
  • crisis intervention
  • consultation with parents and teachers
  • referral to outside agencies and therapists
  • referrals for community services

  Common Issues

  • Anxiety/ stress reduction
  • anger management
  • friendship skills
  • conflict resolution
  • managing feelings

  FAQS    

  What exactly does a school counselor do?

  Much like the school nurse, school counseling services are available to ALL students, not just those with an emotional disability or in a crisis.  It is the counselor’s job to make sure that students are happy and doing their best at school.  This is a tall order since so many factors go into kids doing well: their ability to focus and pay attention, their relationships with peers and teachers, how well they can manage their feelings and impulses, and their lives outside of school.  We will address these issues using individual or small group counseling, as well as classroom counseling lessons and even school-wide programs.  We want kids to think of us as a coach – we don’t solve their problems, but we can help them get through a tough issues or find their own solution.

  How are you different from a therapist at an outside agency?

  We frequently see children just once or twice, or in the classroom setting rather than the office.  Although we do often help children with family problems and behavior at home, the primary role of a schoolbased counselor is to deal with school-related problems.  Sometimes an issue is better addressed more intensively in a therapeutic setting, and with greater direct parental involvement. Please let us know if you’d like a recommendation to an outside therapist for your child.  

  How do children come to you?

  Students come to the counseling office in a variety of ways.  Usually it’s by the recommendation of a classroom teacher and/or the parent/guardian.  Sometimes they are referred by the office.  Often, children will approach themselves and ask if they can eat lunch with us or schedule an appointment. They may also ask their teacher or someone in the office to come see us, and that’s

  Children frequently pop in to talk about relatively minor or time-limited issues like an argument with a peer or the death of a pet.  If that happens, we may not notify you unless: a) there is a safety concern, b) your child has asked to see us repeatedly, or c) if the worry or problem is significant (by adult standards).  If it is suspected that your child may benefit from regular meetings with our STARS Counselor, Ms. Molly will send a STARS Permission form home with your student. If we believe they would make a great addition to one of our small groups, an informational permission form will come home with them. 

  Will you tell me what you discuss with my child?

  School Counselors are trained to uphold confidentiality and build safe, trusting relationships with students.  Confidentiality ensures that school counselors won’t share students’ disclosures with others except when the student authorizes it or when there is a clear and present danger to the student and/or to other persons.  We want to maintain strong, collaborative relationships with all parents, as we are a team. 

   

Counseling Overview

• Professional School Counselor:  ASCA National Model

  Direct Student Services

  • Standards-based, developmentally appropriate counseling curriculum for academic, personal/social and career development of all students.
  • Assisting students to set personal goals and develop future plans
  • Responsive services via small group and individual counseling to meet students' immediate needs and concerns.

  Indirect Student Services

  • Referrals to other professionals or community agencies.
  • Consultation and collaboration with other counselors, administrators, teachers, parents, community partners.

  Program Management & School Support

  • Management and accountability tasks and fair-share responsibilities.

  Vision Statement:

  The vision of the Wilson County K-8 School Counseling program is to support a school climate in which each student is valued and their developmental needs are considered whilst providing an
  opportunity to learn in a safe environment. The K-8 School Counselor shall manage their School Counseling program and services by using data to make informed decisions and follow ethical practices.

  Mission Statement:

  The mission of our School Counseling program is to deliver comprehensive, differentiated, and data-driven services to reach all students, which allows students to attain skills and fosters necessary attitudes for academic, career, and social emotional success.

  Beliefs:

  The school counselor believes through the Counseling Program that:

  • All students are capable of achievement leading to success in academics, social/emotional development, and college and careers.
  • All students’ developmental needs are best met by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
  • School counselors advocate for equal opportunities and fair treatment of all students in the educational setting.
  • School counselors are involved in planning, management, delivery, and evaluation of the school counseling program in collaboration with all stakeholders.
  • Needs assessments and achievement and other data should be used to design, implement, and evaluate the comprehensive school counseling program in order to best meet all students’ needs so that they are successful in academics, social/emotional development, and college and careers.
  • Applying the American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors empowers school counselors to make decisions based on the highest moral principles to promote the maximum development of every student.