Counseling and Mental Health Resources

The Role of a School Counselor

The school counselor is a certified educator with a pupil personnel services (PPS) credential in school counseling and is qualified to address the academic, career, and social/ emotional needs of all students. The role of a school counselor is to design and deliver a school counseling program that improves student outcomes for all students. We collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement. We offer students professional assistance and support one-on-one or in small groups during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change, or other situations impeding student success. The school counselor upholds the ethical and professional standards of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).

Counseling Mission Statement

The mission of the Sage Oak School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive program that proactively seeks to improve our students’ well-being and advocates for their personalized growth and success. We will collaborate with parents/guardians, staff, and community members and treat every student with respect and dignity. We will empower students to become the best version of themselves by teaching social-emotional learning, providing academic support, and helping students become college and career ready. 

Virtual Counseling Classroom

CLICK HERE TO ENTER OUR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

Group & Individual Counseling Options

Counseling groups are offered throughout the school year. Groups, based on grade level bands, and filled on a first-come, first-served basis and are capped at 8 students. Sign-ups are shared in the Sage News, on Canvas, and in our virtual classroom. Is there a group you’d like to see offered? Please click here to let us know, as we want to ensure we are best meeting our students’ needs. Individual counseling is available for students identified by their teacher and/or parent referral. School counseling is short-term, solution-focused counseling aimed to provide students with strategies and ideas to help improve their social-emotional health. The school counselor practices confidentiality when working with students and everything discussed is confidential unless a student discloses that they are/ plan to hurt themselves, others, or someone is hurting them. 

If you have any questions about our counseling groups or need support for your student, please complete the Counselor Help Form, and you will hear from our counselor within 24 hours.

Mental Health Support

At Sage Oak, we are passionate and dedicated to working with parents to provide a personalized, educational experience for students that don’t just address their academic development, but also their personal development. Just as important as our physical health, our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. The resources below are either free or can be purchased using instructional funds. 

Coping Strategies 

When the kids in our life struggle, we often wonder how to best help them. Just as our children learn in different ways, they also cope in different ways. There is not a “one size fits all'' approach to coping. Below are some different ideas you can explore to help your child find practical ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and anger. 

Additional Mental Health Support & Resources: 

Is It a Phase, or Does My Child Need Help? It’s a question many parents ask themselves. We want to ensure you have the right resources to meet your children’s needs. These resources are for families interested in seeking additional guidance on navigating behavioral and mental healthcare treatment.

Suicide Prevention

While suicide is the second leading cause of death among school-aged youth, it is also preventable! It’s very important to take all concerns seriously and share empathy and concern. If you or a loved one are showing signs of suicidal behavior: giving away belongings, writing goodbye notes, or making plans on how to end their life, please get immediate professional support by calling 9-1-1, National Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or texting HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Again, youth suicide is preventable, and we want to play an important part in this role! If you have additional questions about youth suicide or need additional support, please reach out to your Sage Oak teacher or complete our School Counseling Help Request Form. 

Comprehensive Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Policy

LGBTQ+ Resources