Hello! My name is Nancy Brewer, and I am the School Counselor at Dodgeville Elementary School. This page will provide you with information about the School Counseling program at DES, counseling topics and resources.
What is a School Counselor?
School Counseling services are delivered in four specific ways:
- Classroom Counseling Curriculum - designing, structuring, and delivering classroom lessons so that students develop specific outcome-driven competencies in all grades ELP-4 (personal/social, academic, career)and driven by the needs of the school population.
- Individual Student Planning - assisting students with goal formation/planning (behavioral, academic, etc.)
- Responsive Services- meeting immediate student needs (counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, peer mediation, information-providing).
- System Support- school-wide program planning and implementation (PBIS, Instructional Leadership Teaming, etc.), consulting with other professionals, coordination of various supports for students and families.
How does your child experience School Counseling services?
- Individual Counseling- I may work with a student in a safe, positive, and confidential setting to address issues that may 'get in the way of' school achievement. Topics are based on the needs of the student and may include understanding feelings, self regulation/coping skills, social skills, peer conflict, bullying, and problem solving.
- Small Group Counseling- A process where students sharing similar concerns work together in a small group environment consisting of 2-5 peers. The group session typically lasts 20-30 minutes and meets for 6-8 sessions. Topics are based on the needs of the students and could include: emotional regulation, problem solving, academic focus skills, social skills, and self esteem.
- Classroom Counseling lessons- I develop and implement ELP-4th grade classroom curriculum driven by national and state counseling outcomes. Classroom lessons are scheduled regularly and address personal, social, academic, and career-related needs. Topics may include: problem solving, emotional regulation, growth mindset, friendship/social skills, teasing/bullying, cooperation, and career awareness.
Counseling Approaches Commonly Used to Assist Students:
- Play Therapy (exploring & role-playing solutions, creative representations of life situations)
- Bibliotherapeutic Experiences (reading & discussing books relevant to whatever the student is experiencing)
- Conflict-Resolution processes (working out disagreements)
- Video-clip discussion/analysis (identifying strengths, challenges, solutions)
- Behavioral Coaching/Role Plays (goal-setting & encouragement)
- Therapeutic Games (card & board games focused on developing coping skills)
- Active Listening & Academic/Organizational Skill-Development (study skills, etc.)
- Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Brief Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Person Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Practices
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