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Adjustment Counseling Information

What is a School Adjustment Counselor?

Navigating the high school years can be an exciting yet challenging journey for both students and their families. To support our students' overall well-being, our school provides dedicated School Adjustment Counselors (SACs).

A School Adjustment Counselor is a licensed mental health professional within the building who focuses specifically on the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of our students. Think of them as a bridge between a student’s emotional well-being and their academic success.

 

How Shepherd Hill SAC’s Support Your Student:

While academic guidance counselors help students with schedules, graduation requirements, and college applications, School Adjustment Counselors are here to support students' mental health. Their day-to-day work includes:

  • Short-Term Counseling:  Providing a safe, confidential space for students dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, or difficult life transitions.
  • Crisis Intervention: Offering immediate support and safety planning when a student experiences an acute emotional crisis during the school day.
  • Conflict Resolution & Peer Support: Helping students navigate relationship challenges, social dynamics, and communication issues with peers or sometimes family.
  • Skill Building: Teaching students vital coping mechanisms, emotional regulation strategies, stress-management techniques, and problem-solving skills.
  • IEP and 504 Support: Partnering with the Special Education department to provide structured counseling services written into students' individualized accommodation plans.

 

Partnering with Families and the Community

Mental health support doesn't stop at the school doors. School Adjustment Counselors work closely with parents and guardians to ensure students are supported both at school and at home. They assist families by:

  • Connecting to Community Resources: Helping families find and transition to outside therapists, psychiatrists, or community mental health agencies for long-term care.
  • Collaborating with Teachers: Working with school staff to create supportive classroom environments for students who may be struggling emotionally.
  • Consultation: Providing consultation to parents who have concerns about their teenager's mental health or changing behaviors.
  • A Note on Confidentiality: Trust is essential for effective counseling. Conversations between a student and their Adjustment Counselor are largely confidential, with the vital exception of situations where a student is a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or if abuse/neglect is suspected. In those cases, families and necessary professionals are involved immediately.

 

When should a parent reach out?

You are always welcome to contact your student’s School Adjustment Counselor if you notice significant shifts in your child's behavior, such as a sudden drop in grades, school avoidance, withdrawal from friends, or signs of extreme stress and emotional distress. We are here to partner with you to ensure your student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

 

Who to contact?

Or visit our Wellness Resources Page for additional resources for families and students.