School Counseling
Counselor’s Corner
Welcome to the School Counseling webpage! My name is Katie Barrett, the School Counselor at Eldersburg Elementary School. This page is to provide you with information about the School Counseling program, upcoming counseling related activities and events, and counseling topics and resources.
The Mission Statement
The mission of the Guidance Program is to facilitate the academic and personal growth of all students. Counselors, as integral members of the educational team, support students in making positive life choices and becoming responsible and caring adults.
What is the School Counselor?
A certified, trained, and caring professional who is available to work with all students, parents, teachers, and staff to help students achieve academic and social success. The counselor can help students in the following areas:
- Improving in academic areas such as work habits, study skills, homework strategies, test-taking skills, organization, and time-management.
- Solving friendship or peer related issues.
- Increasing self-esteem.
- Coping with difficult situations at home and in school.
- Working through problems and coming up with solutions.
- Learning stress-management techniques.
- Working through anxiety about school or other issues.
What are the 3 “C’s” of Counseling?
- Consultation and Collaboration – your School Counselor will consult and collaborate with teachers and school staff, specialists, and outside resources in order to assist students. The counselor is also available to meet and talk with all parents. If you have any concerns about your child, please feel free to contact or visit the counselor anytime. The counselor can also help refer families to outside resources.
- Coordination – your School Counselor will work with teachers, staff, and parents to assess the needs of the students in order to create and implement the best possible services. The program will also be evaluated for success throughout the school year.
- Counseling – your School Counselor will provide counseling services to students in the following capacities:
Individual Counseling
A process where students discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting (for a limited time, ongoing therapy is not available at school). Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include: feelings, changing families, peer pressure, friends, stress, academics, social skills, academics, bullying, getting along with others, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Small Group Counseling
A process where students, sharing similar issues and concerns, work together in a small group environment consisting of about 5-8 peers. The group sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are held for approximately 6-8 weeks. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include divorce or changing families, grief and loss, friendship and social skills, study skills, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.
Classroom Guidance
A process that includes teaching developmental skills using age appropriate classroom based lessons. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include self-esteem, conflict resolution, study skills, anger management, career awareness, tattling/reporting, friendship/social skills, responsibility, respect, teasing/bullying, feelings, cooperation, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure.
Programs Coordinated by the Counselor
- Character Education
- Drug Abuse and Prevention (Red Ribbon Week/Just Say No)
- Implementing new behavior plan
- Career Lessons for 4 th and 5 th grades
- Meetings for student services (Instructional Support Team; Pupil Services Team)
- Meetings for School Improvement Team (Character Education Committee)
Resources Used to Assist Students
- Ice-Breaker Exercises
- Art Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Bibliotherapy (books)
- Letter writing
- Videos
- Role Plays
- Therapeutic Games
- Puppets and dolls
- Classroom Guidance Programs (DUSO – Developing an Understanding of Self and Others for Pre-K – 1 st Grades)
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