Meet Your Counselor
What is your school counselor's name?
Mrs. McGary
How can you check in with your school counselor?
You can let your teacher know you need to see the school counselor.
You can talk to Mrs. McGary at lunch in the cafeteria.
Name one thing you might see the school counselor for.
You are feeling sad/angry. (feelings/emotions)
You need help to make good choices.
You need help with your class/grades.
You need help with a friend.
You are worried about something.
The counselor believes all of my feelings are ok.
True! Your feelings are valid. However, you are responsible for the impact of your feelings and how you react to those feelings.
When you visit the counselor, how should the class behave?
The class should be respectful and kind to all.
What is Mrs. McGary's favorite color?
Purple
Name one reason you may want to see the school counselor.
You need help with emotions. You are having sad/angry thoughts.
You need help with a problem with friends, schoolwork, or at home.
You just want someone to talk to.
Does Mrs. McGary only meet with students individually?
No, I also meet with students in groups and during classroom lessons.
If I need to talk, I can just leave my class.
False! Always let your teacher know you need to speak to me, and he/she will contact me. I am not always in my office.
I need to do this if I want to answer a question.
Raise your hand and wait to be called on.
How many pets does Mrs. McGary have?
2
Are you in trouble if you have to visit Mrs. McGary's office?
No, you are not in trouble.
When is Mrs. McGary available?
I will always try to be available, but sometimes I might be teaching a lesson, in a classroom, in a meeting, or working with other students. You are important to me, and I will see you!
You can only see the counselor if you have a BIG problem?
False! Most of us have small, medium, and big problems, and it helps to talk about them.
Small: You can typically handle this one yourself, or with the help of a friend.
Medium: You've tried some strategies but are still struggling.
Big: Something unexpected or difficult happened, and you have big feelings about it.
What did Mrs. McGary do before she became a school counselor?
Teacher
If you ask to see Mrs. McGary and it is not an emergency, will she come to see you immediately?
No, we will visit when it is a good time for both of us.
What will I do at the school counselor's office?
We will talk about what is going on and work together to create strategies to help. We may use tools to help you calm down or feel better.
The counselor will resolve issues I have with my classmates/friends for me.
False. I will listen to you talk through your issues and listen to you figure out what solution might be helpful and how to use it!
How should you treat others?
With kindness and respect.
The Golden Rule
How many years has Mrs. McGary been a school counselor?
14 years
Can school counselors fix all of your problems?
No, I can help you work through your problems, but you are the only one who can choose to work on your problem/situation.
What is confidentiality?
What you say in my office stays in my office, unless:
*Someone is hurting you.
*You want to hurt someone.
*You want to hurt yourself.
*You give me permission to share.
Your school counselor provides long-term therapy.
False. Your school counselor is not the same as a mental health therapist. School counselors provide short-term counseling services. If I determine that a student needs to receive counseling services over a longer time period, I will work with the student and their family.
What does best effort look like when the counselor is teaching?
Show respect: Listen when the counselor or a classmate is speaking.
Participate safely: Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.