Who are school counselors?

School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student academic, career, and social/emotional success for all students by implementing a data-informed school counseling program.

School counselors help all students:

• apply academic achievement strategies
• manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
• plan for postsecondary options (higher education, trade school, military, work force)

SCHOOL COUNSELOR QUALIFICATIONS

• Hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in school counseling
• Meet the state certification/ licensure standards
• Fulfill continuing education requirements
• Uphold the American School Counselor Association ethical and professional standards (ASCA, 2022)

For more information about school counselors please visit the school counselor website.

*Guidance counselor is an outdated term for School Counselor. It is no longer used because our duties have evolved past that of a guidance counselor. Our professional organization, the American School Counselor Association, strongly encourages the use of the title School Counselor.

Academic

• Goal setting
• Executive functioning skills
• Problem-solving
• Test-taking stills
• Attendance
• Growth mindset
• grade transition
• Perseverance
• Attitude towards learning

Career

• Career exploration
• Post-secondary options
• Interest inventories/self-reflection
• Work-related Skills
• School work connection

In order to build and maintain trust in counseling, confidentiality is very important. We will not share any information with others unless student permission is given. The only time that counselors are obligated to break confidentiality is when a student discloses:

• they’re in danger of hurting him/herself or others
• previously unreported child, elder, sexual or physical abuse
• crimes that have or will be committed
• If records are court-ordered, we may have to legally comply but will contact parents first
• At times, we may consult with other professionals in the best interest of the student

Although what takes place in individual or group counseling is confidential, parents have the right to be informed of their child’s general progress.

Our school counselors implement classroom lessons on the following topics:

• Hygiene
• Bullying prevention
• Healthy relationships
• Career readiness
• Digital safety
• research based SEL curriculum

Social & Emotional Learning   

Self Management 

Managing emotions and behaviors to achieve one’s goals

Relationship Skills 

Forming positive relationships working in teams, and dealing effectively with conflict

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions (CASEL, 2022).

For more information about SEL please visit here.

Our Curriculum

• Second Step
  • For more information visit here.
• Power Up, Speak Out!
  • For more information visit here.

If you have questions about our program or would like to refer a student for services, please contact one of our counselors.

(406) 293-8802

Suicide & Self-Harm Resources

• NAMI Montana
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Crisis Phone Numbers
• Signs of Suicide

Does your student struggle with stress, anxiety, or managing their emotions? As school counselors we teach coping skills to help students self-regulate. On the Coping Skills page there are some coping skills that can be used at home and at school.
 

Libby Public Schools (406) 293-8802