Counseling

Welcome! The School Counseling Department is here to support the academic, social-emotional, and personal development of all students. Whether your child needs help with friendship skills, managing emotions, or navigating challenges, we are here to help!

Our goal is to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and connected. We collaborate with teachers, families, and community partners to help students succeed both in and out of the classroom.

🧠 Counseling Services Overview

What Does Our Counseling Team Do?

We help students:

Build strong friendships and resolve conflicts
Develop coping skills for stress, anxiety, or big feelings
Learn to set goals and stay organized
Handle life changes like moving, grief, or family transitions
Feel safe, supported, and confident at school

Services We Offer

Individual Counseling

Short-term, one-on-one support for students who need help managing emotions, solving problems, or navigating personal challenges.
Small Group Counseling

Weekly or biweekly group sessions that focus on topics like friendship skills, emotion regulation, self-esteem, or managing anxiety. Groups help students feel connected and supported by peers.
Classroom Lessons

Regular classroom visits where we teach all students skills like empathy, problem-solving, conflict resolution, career awareness, and more.
Crisis Support

Immediate support for students facing serious situations like grief, harm to self or others, or family emergencies.
Collaboration & Consultation

We work closely with families, teachers, and school staff to help students succeed socially, emotionally, and academically.

🎯 Mission & Vision

Mission:
Our mission is to create an environment where all students can achieve their best. We work to remove barriers to learning and support students in becoming effective learners, responsible citizens, and successful members of the workforce. By partnering with educators, families, and the community, we provide services that help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring they reach their full potential.

Vision:

The vision of the Moreland School District Counseling Program is for all students to depart empowered with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve academic, personal/social, and career success, and to reach their fullest potential as respectful, responsible citizens.

📝 School Counseling Referral Process

Parents and guardians may refer their child to school counseling for any concerns that may be affecting their well-being, behavior, or success at school. This may include—but is not limited to—challenges with emotions, peer relationships, family changes, or academic stress.

To submit a referral, please complete our Counseling Referral Form. A parent/guardian or school staff member must submit referrals.

Note: While school-based counseling services are not guaranteed in all cases, every referral is carefully reviewed. We will work with your family to determine the most appropriate support, which may include school-based services or referrals to community-based resources.

🏡 Resources for Families

Supporting student wellness is a partnership between home and school. Below are resources that can help families support children emotionally, socially, and academically:

Parenting & Emotional Wellness

Common Sense Media – Tech & media safety tips
Child Mind Institute – Tools for mental health and behavior challenges
Big Life Journal – Growth mindset and resilience tools
CA Parent & Youth Helpline – 1-855-427-2736 (Free emotional support)
BrightLife Kids - Offers free virtual coaching and support for California families with children ages 0–12 to help with behavior, emotions, and social skills.
Soluna - A free, confidential mental health app for Californians aged 13–25, offering 1:1 coaching, self-help tools, and peer support—all at no cost.

Special Education & Learning Differences

Disability Rights California (DRC) - Legal advocacy and support for special education and disability rights.
Family Resource Centers Network of California (FRCNCA) - Regional family support for parents of children with disabilities.
Autism Speaks - Offers free toolkits, local support services, and guidance on diagnosis, education, and transition to adulthood for families of children with autism.
ADDitude Magazine - Expert advice, parent tips, free webinars, and downloadable guides for managing ADHD in children and teens.
The Child Mind Institute – ADHD Guide - Provides research-based articles, expert advice, and treatment strategies for families dealing with ADHD.

Community & Crisis Support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 anytime
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) – Support groups & mental health education
Find Support CA – Access resources for housing, therapy, education, etc.
California Immigrant Guide – Services and legal resources for immigrant families
The Trevor Project - Provides 24/7 crisis support, suicide prevention, and mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth.

Grief, Loss & Big Life Changes

National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG) - Lists grief programs by location and includes guidance for educators and parents.
Dougy Center – National Grief Center for Children & Families - Offers free resources by age, including tip sheets for caregivers.
Healing Heart Program - Bill Wilson Center - Provides grief support groups for children, teens, and their families to help them cope with the death of a loved one.
Sesame Street: Divorce Toolkit - Short videos, family guides, and activities for preschool-age children
FamiliesChange California – Teen Guide - Helps teens understand divorce, manage emotions, and adjust to family changes.

📬 Stay Connected: Check Out Our School Counseling Newsletter!

We believe that staying informed is key to supporting your child’s success. Our monthly newsletter is filled with helpful tips, upcoming events, and resources to support your child’s emotional, social, and academic growth.

In each edition, you’ll find:

Tips for supporting your child’s mental health and well-being
Information on upcoming counseling programs and workshops
Resources for parents to help navigate school challenges
Helpful articles and tools to encourage positive behavior and learning

Our newsletter is under construction and will be available in August 2025!

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do the school counselors do?

Our counselors support all students' social-emotional, academic, and personal growth. This includes teaching classroom lessons, meeting with students individually or in small groups, and helping during difficult situations. The goal is to help students succeed and feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

How does a student see the counselor?

We encourage students to complete the Student Counseling Request Form whenever possible before checking in with us. Parents or guardians may request a check-in by submitting the Parent/Guardian Referral Form. Students may also ask their teacher if they want to speak with a counselor.

Is what students say confidential?

Most of the time, yes. What students share is kept private unless: Someone is hurting them, they want to hurt themselves or someone else, or they permit it to be shared. In those cases, we involve the appropriate adults to keep everyone safe.

What kind of things do students talk about in counseling?

Students might talk about: