About Our Team

ROLES AND SERVICES PROVIDED
BY SOCIAL WORK/COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

School social workers are a vital link between the student, family, school, and community.

According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), We are “trained mental health professionals who are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health crises and needs as well as provide support to administration and staff when school crises occur…”

We support our Astronauts by motivating them to reach their goals and help link students and their families to school and community resources in order to promote student success.

School Social Workers and School Counselors are licensed mental health professionals who work in conjunction with the school staff, administration, and the school district to help eliminate barriers that prevent a student from being academically, socially, and emotionally successful. The role of the School Social Worker and School Counselor on this team is unique and the specialized skills we bring to the team include but are not limited to:

  • Resource linkage to community supports

  • Preparation of specialized student assessments such as biopsychosocial assessments and mental health assessments

  • Brief Individual Counseling

  • Brief Group therapy/counseling

  • Crisis intervention

  • Home visits to speak with family members to address student concerns

  • Guidance in the area of cultural awareness

  • Parent conferences

  • Internship opportunities

  • Collaboration with school staff, administrators, behavioral and medical teams

Additionally, your School Social Worker or Counselor can help with...

Crisis Intervention
Intervention with students and staff with concerns related to personal health and safety, school concerns, and/or family concerns.

Community Resources
Assist students and families with connecting to community resources including but not limited to: health care, outside counseling, behavioral supports, financial assistance, DFPS, and support groups.

Supportive Counseling
Brief individual or small group counseling to support student needs.

Transitioning
Assisting new/incoming students with becoming familiar with the culture and community at school; supporting students struggling to attend class.

Parent Presentations
Mental Health Awareness 101, problem-solving, social skills, online presence and safety, stress management, coping skills, emotion regulation, and much more

Advocacy
Educating and promoting changes or considerations that will encourage equitable student access, opportunity, and education.

Services provided by Licensed School Social Workers and Licensed School Counselors
are not intended to replace the services provided by Licensed Mental Health Therapists.

School services are designed to assist students with behavioral, social, emotional, and family/community needs. The format may be either small group or individual sessions. Services may also be provided by Social Work interns and Counseling interns.

Confidentiality Clause

Counseling sessions and Social Work services are considered to be confidential. The only time we will disclose what has been shared is:

  • If the student is threatening or planning to hurt themselves or others

  • If the student shares they or someone else is in danger or are being hurt

  • If the student gives permission to repeat what they shared with Social Work/Counseling department

Social Work/Counseling sessions will remain confidential except when certain legal restrictions arise and confidentiality cannot be maintained. These cases include, but are not limited to: child abuse, danger to oneself, danger to others, and other potentially unlawful actions.