PROGRAM FOR COUNSELING IN SCHOOLS

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Primary Work: Children and Their Parents

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The primary work of the intern is individual counseling with children at school. Play therapy is the most common and appropriate mode of work with younger children. Talk therapy or a more interactive therapy is used with older children and this still may contain elements of play.  Initiating contact with the parents is one of the first and most important steps. Typically, you inform a young client that you will be contacting his or her parent. It is important to establish contact as soon as possible. You are a professional and you will be working with this child psychologically. Therefore, it is important to enlist the cooperation of the parent or parents. This provides a fuller therapeutic process for the child, by allowing you to counsel the parents regarding family patterns and other factors contributing to a child’s distress. 

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It is preferable to meet the parents in person, especially if you are working with a student long term. Do not hesitate to invite them to meet with you whenever possible. For some parent’s regular meetings are beneficial (i.e. on a monthly basis.) If you believe a meeting is necessary with all members of a family or any combination of the family members, feel free to initiate an invitation. Even if the parents work full-time arrangements can be made.

 

Parents and Families with More Need

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Many families require more therapy then you can supply at the school site. They may need to be seen more often and for longer periods of time. Do not hesitate to refer families to professionals outside of school when necessary. Feel free to seek counsel and referrals from your supervisor. In these scenarios try to identify the specific problems they will be dealing with. This helps them feel the problems are more manageable and makes the referral process easier. In turn making therapy less frightening. 

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Consultation to the School’s Parent Groups

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Occasionally, you may be asked to speak at a parent group or in a faculty meeting or training. This is not always the case but it provides a good opportunity to be known better by the parents and staff. If you have any hesitations, questions or if you desire 

some guidance feel free to call Jackie Reckas. The program has many materials to offer you. The program may be able to help match you with a co-presenter (another intern) who can share the responsibility of the presentation. 

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The Intern and Principal Relationship

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The principal of the school should be your ally. He or she is vitally concerned with the welfare of the children; this is most likely why they became a principal. Do not hesitate to share appropriate information (non-confidential) information with the principal and to ask background question on children and families. The schools are small and often the principal knows a great deal of detail. Please reference the programs confidentiality section and ask Jackie or Anthony what is appropriate if you are unsure. 

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If you suspect child abuse, immediately speak with the principal. If you need to report abuse contact the principal and Jackie Reckas. If the principal is absent when you need to file a report, speak with the vice principal or lead teacher on duty. You are not asking the principals permission to make the report; you decide when a report is necessary. Principals don’t like to be surprised when a police officer shows up at the school, you are informing them out of courtesy. Please also read the section on reporting abuse. 

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Please call Jackie to discuss potential reports as well. It is important to reiterate you are the final authority on whether or not to report the case, you know the child, you have heard their voice, you see his/her facial expressions and you witnessed their body language. No matter what it is important to discuss and inform your supervisor of what is happening. 

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Emergencies in the School

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Occasionally, an emergency occurs where your expertise and knowledge of human development is called upon. You may greatly benefit the school in this way. For example, if a child dies or is very ill, you may be called upon to meet with a classroom of children and talk about death, grief and loss. If a call for special serves emerges it is important to respond positively. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about stress and coping and to expand your scope of practice. Please read the section on calling Jackie in emergency situations. 

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Consultation to Teachers

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It is likely teachers will seek your advice regarding students, especially as they get to know you better. Some children may act out their inner conflicts in the classroom or they may demonstrate their conflicts by being passive, aggressive or withdrawn. Sometimes teachers want validation that their interventions are appropriate; or a teacher may want suggestions on how to handle a child’s behavior in the classroom. 

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Try to make the best suggestion you can based on your own judgment and experience as a therapist. They are seeking the advice as a counselor. If you do not feel comfortable giving them advice, it is ok to let them know you need to think about it and that you will get back to them shortly.