For Families

Being an active participant in your child's education is crucial.  Children need you to be involved in their lives, and the next few pages of my web site are dedicated to helping you do that.  As a full time counselor, student, and mom I know that people do not have unlimited time or resources.  Because I know and live this, I am only offering resources I have used or would use in my own home.  To find even more resources for your family, open the Family folder on my Files for Everyone page.

The first resource I have to list is your child's school counselor.  We are here to work with you and assist you.  In the past, school counselors have been rarely seen and barely known; they might have even handled discipline, but times have changed!  Professional School Counselors are trained in counseling, assessment, and education (Click on What Are School Counselors).  We are certified for counseliing in schools, and many of us are private practice counselors as well.  School counselors uphold confidentiality and can see children in group or individual settings.  We help children and families every day . We not only have a bachelors degree, but have a masters in school counseling as well.  In Texas, we must take and pass teaching and counseling examinations in order to be certified.  Our goal is to work with students and families to help them succeed.  We have lots of resources and programs available to meet your needs.  School counselors are here to assist you!

To learn more about the Texas state requirements for counselor certification visit:

Texas School Counselor Requirements

How does the school counselor benefit parents?

The elementary school counselor works with parents through individual consultation, joint consultation with teachers or school adminstrators, and in parent education groups.  The counselor assists parents in:

• Understanding their children's progress in school
• Selecting and implementing strategies to assist and motivate their children
• Applying positive behavior management strategies
• Working with their child's teacher(s)
• Developing realistic goals with their children
• Preparing their child for the future
• Identifying special needs or areas of concern
• Becoming actively involved in their children's school life
• Assiting their child in developing positive behaviors and responses
• Understanding age appropriate development for their child
• Navigating the educational system
• Selecting appropriate resources
• Coordinating outside assistance when needed
• Locating and utilizing programs to assist the family (such as food, clothing, sor helter)

The counselor may also lead parent education and discussion groups, as well as serve as a resource for parents.

The counselor consults with parents to identify students with special abilities and/or needs. The counselor helps parents find other professionals within the school system or within the larger community when additional support is needed.

WHAT ARE BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS?

The elementary school counselor works directly with students in individual and group counseling sessions, as well as in classroom guidance lessons assisting students to:

• Be successful in school
• Establish effective study skills
• Adjust to a new school
• Be aware and able to identify their feelings and the feelings of others
• Develop positive feelings about themselves and others
• Develop skills in interacting and communicating with others
• Develop and maintain healthy relationships
• Cope with change in themselves and their surroundings
• Be aware of safe and healthy interactions in person and electronically 
• Identify and accept their own and others' strengths and weaknesses
• Recognize the causes and effects of their actions
• Become responsible for their own behavior
• Develop and achieve goals
• Receive crisis intervention when necessary

The counselor helps students become motivated learners and encourages them to discuss concerns with their parents. When students work through their social and emotional issues, with the help of their parents and the counselor, they are able to devote attention and energy to the intellectual tasks at school. (Reference- FCPS Online)