Who Is Your Counselor?
What is your school counselor's name?
Mrs. Bradner
How can you check in with your school counselor?
Let your teacher know you'd like a check-in or send me an email. You can also ask me when I am at morning or afternoon duty.
What is confidentiality?
Private information kept between student and the counselor.
True or False: The counselor believes all feelings are ok.
True! Your feelings are valid. However, you are responsible for how you deal with your feelings and I can help wtih that!
True or False: Counselors help with the transition to middle school.
True. I will help you choose your classes, learn how to use combination locks, and prepare to move on to Rachel Carson!
Name two games you will find in the counselor's office.
Uno; Othello; Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza;
Jenga; Hedbanz; Connect 4; Trouble;
Candy Land; Sorry
Name one reason you may want to see the counselor?
Sad or angry thoughts; problems with friends or classmates; worries from home; need someone to talk about something that has been on your mind.
True or False: Any information you tell the counselor is shared with teachers and grown ups at home.
False.
True or False: If I need to talk, I can just leave my class.
False! Counselors meet with parents and teachers; teach counseling lessons; provide group counseling; and help nearly 600 students. Let your teacher know when you want to meet with me and I will get you when I can give you 100% of my attention!
What are counseling groups?
Counseling groups usually have 4-6 students in them and meet for 6-8 weeks to help students improve attendance, make friends, and develop executive functioning skills.
How many pets does the counselor have?
100 Bonus points: (what are their names?)
Two
Bristol and Bandit
True or False. When you are called to the counseling office, you are in trouble.
False
What are the 4 situations where a counselor will NOT keep your conversation private?
Someone is hurting you or you want to hurt someone.
You want to hurt yourself.
You give us permission to talk to an adult you trust
True or False: You can only see the counselor if you have a BIG problem?
False! Most of us have small, medium and big problems. If you need to talk about a problem that I think you can solve yourself we will come up with strategies to help you do that!
True or False: Mrs. Bradner loves it when students yell "lunch bunch!" at her in the hallway.
False. False. False. I do love lunch bunches, but asking me about it every time you see me without greeting me? It is rude and does NOT improve your chances of getting one.
What did I do before I became a counselor?
Served in the Navy for 5 years
Was a therapist in a community shelter
What will I do at the counselor's office?
It depends. You might talk with me about what is going on and come up with some strategies to help. Or we might play a game or use other tools to help you calm down or feel better.
True or False. If a student tells a counselor, “I'm going to fight Jay after school,” the counselor must keep that information confidential.
False. If we think you might hurt someone, we will tell other adults that can keep Jay safe and keep you out of trouble.
True or False: The counselor will fix issues I have with my classmates for me.
False
How should I behave during counseling lessons?
Safe, respectful, and kind.
Who is my co-counselor?
Mrs. Choi
Give an example of an outside of school problem that you may want to speak to a counselor about.
Changes in your family, learning that your family is moving, an argument you've had with your brother or sister - anything that is on your mind and making it hard to focus in school.
What is confidentiality again?
Private information kept between student and the counselor.
True or False: Your school counselor is your therapist at school.
FALSE! If you are in crisis I might meet with you more often, but only for a short period of time. If it seems like you might benefit from more support I will partner with your trusted adults at home to get you the help you need. We do not provide therapy at school.
Name one service NOT mentioned in the rest of this game that counselors provide at school.
We distribute weekend food bags and school supplies to those who need them; hold restorative justice circles; partner with parents and teachers to support students; manage 504 plans; answer walkie calls when students are in crisis; and sometimes even open your thermos in the cafeteria when we're on lunch duty!