Counseling Systems Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of the Counseling Systems Policy is to establish a structured, tiered framework for supporting students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs. The School provides counseling-related supports to promote student well-being, prevent escalation of concerns, and ensure appropriate intervention when students experience emotional or behavioral challenges.
This policy aligns with the School’s strengths-based wellness philosophy and integrates Thrively practices to support students developmentally, socially, and emotionally.
2. Guiding Principles
The School’s counseling system is guided by the following principles:
- Student wellness is essential to academic success
- Early identification and intervention reduce the likelihood of crisis
- Supports should be developmentally appropriate and strengths-based
- Relationships between students, staff, and families are foundational
- Counseling services operate within legal, ethical, and professional boundaries
- Family collaboration is essential to effective student support
3. Tiered Counseling Support Framework
The School utilizes a multi-tiered system of counseling and mental health supports to address varying levels of student need.
3.1 Tier 1: Universal Wellness Supports
Tier 1 supports are provided to all students and focus on prevention and skill development. These supports include:
- Thrively daily SEL routines
- Growth mindset practices
- Schoolwide wellness checks
- Hope Gauge reflections
- Teacher-led SEL instruction
- Promotion of positive classroom culture
3.2 Tier 2: Targeted Counseling Supports
Tier 2 supports are designed for students who require additional assistance beyond universal programming. These may include:
- Small group interventions
- Short-term counseling check-ins
- Parent outreach and collaboration
- Targeted SEL skill-building
- Restorative conversations
Tier 2 interventions are implemented for a defined period and monitored for effectiveness.
3.3 Tier 3: Intensive Counseling Interventions
Tier 3 supports are provided to students with significant or ongoing needs and may include:
- Individual counseling services (if available)
- Behavior intervention plans or Student Support Plans (SSPs)
- Referrals to outside mental health providers
- Crisis response and safety planning
- Temporary attendance or instructional modifications to ensure student safety
4. School Counselor Role (If Applicable)
When a School Counselor is available, responsibilities may include:
- Providing social-emotional and mental health support
- Conducting wellness screenings
- Facilitating counseling and SEL-focused groups
- Participating in crisis intervention and response
- Collaborating with families, teachers, and administrators
- Coordinating referrals to external service providers
- Maintaining student confidentiality in accordance with law and policy
5. Confidentiality and Legal Limits
Counseling-related information is treated as confidential and is disclosed only to authorized personnel. Confidentiality may be breached when a student’s statements or behavior indicate:
- Risk of harm to self
- Risk of harm to others
- Suspected abuse or neglect
- Other serious safety threats
In such cases, staff are required to follow mandatory reporting laws and safety protocols.
6. Collaboration With Outside Providers
The School may collaborate with external counselors or therapists when:
- Written parental consent is provided
- Confidentiality agreements are executed
- Services do not interfere with instructional time
- Hybrid attendance or on-site sessions are approved when applicable
The School does not supervise or assume clinical responsibility for outside providers.
7. Student Support Documentation and Records
7.1 Record Maintenance
Counseling-related documents, including Student Support Plans, behavior logs, and counselor notes, are:
- Stored securely
- Maintained in encrypted digital systems
- Kept separate from academic records when required
- Accessible only to authorized staff
7.2 Parent Access to Records
Parents or guardians may access:
- Student Support Plans
- Behavior intervention plans
- Health or safety-related documentation
Parents or guardians may not access:
- Private counselor notes
- Confidential records pertaining to other students
8. Review and Oversight
The Counseling Systems Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with legal requirements, best practices, and the School’s wellness framework. Adjustments may be made as needed to support student safety and well-being.