Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School

Counseling Department Policies & Procedures

The Counseling Department at Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School
would like to communicate their policies and procedures that are based on The
American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model used for School
Counselors developing Counseling Programs in their schools
(http://ascamodel.timberlakepublishing.com/files/ExecSumm.pdf).
The counseling program at STA is designed to assist your child in making the most of
his or her educational experience. As your child's Counselor, we are concerned
about their emotional well-being, academic progress, and personal and social
development. The following specific activities are offered by the counseling
program at STA:

Periodic classroom presentations related to positive, personal growth and

development.

Individual and group counseling

Facilitation of Parent/Teacher/Student conferences

Provide appropriate and current information on education planning and

careers

Consultation services concerning the growth and development of students.

We may contact you regarding your children for, but not limited to the following:

Assistance needed in specific areas to help child achieve success in school

Concern regarding your students emotional well-being or behavioral issue

Schedule conference at the request of the teacher

Excessive absences

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide the following services to your child and/or
the parent:

Testifying in court in child custody matters

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Counseling Department Policies & Procedures

Providing intensive long-term counseling services when they are needed by

the child.

The counselors are here to serve the needs of our students in the most efficient
way possible:

All requests by students, faculty, staff, coaches, parents/guardians, and

colleges/universities for any information (i.e. transcript, letter of
recommendation, etc.) from the Counseling Department must be made
through a Request of Information Form. This form is located in the
Counseling Department, front office, or electronically at
http://www.stafalcons.org/counseling. We want to be easily accessible to all
students, teachers, coaches, and parents. Feel free to select the most
convenient method for your needs.

All referrals by students, faculty, staff, coaches, and parents/guardians

(either self or the referral of another) must be made through a Referral
Form. This form is located in the Counseling Department, front office, or
electronically at http://www.stafalcons.org/counseling. These forms must
be submitted in a sealed envelope and placed in the counselors mailbox to
ensure confidentiality. We want to be easily accessible to all students,
teachers, coaches, and parents. Feel free to select the most convenient
method for your needs.

Parents/Guardians: Should you need to schedule a meeting with your students

counselor, please complete the Referral Form.

Counselor Contact. Personal cell phone numbers of the counselors should

never be distributed to any client (parent or student). In case of an
emergency, the principal will contact the counselor.

Counselor Door Messages. Please understand that the DO NOT DISTURB

door message and/or when the light is ON indicates that no one should

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Counseling Department Policies & Procedures
knock on the door unless it is an emergency/crisis. It also indicates that the
counselor is in a meeting, with a student/faculty/parent, or on the phone.
Feel free to fill out a Request of Information Form or Referral Form in the
Counseling Office and drop into your counselors drop box located on the door
or submit it electronically using the office computers.

Crisis. A crisis is defined by a student who is suicidal, homicidal, or suspected

abuse seems apparent. A student should not be allowed to leave class to see
a counselor unless a crisis occurs or an emotional disturbance during class.
For non-crisis related issues, please call the counselor(s) before sending a
child down to his/her counselor as we may not be available. If a crisis occurs
while the counselors are out of the office, seek administration.

Teachers/Coaches/Parents: Should a student need to visit their counselor for any noncrisis issue, please advise students to complete a Request of Information Form or
Referral Form in the office or online. This will ensure that the counselors meet their
needs in a timely manner.

Confidentiality. Material revealed in counseling will remain strictly

confidential except under the following circumstances in accordance with
state law:

1) The client signs a written release of information indicating informed consent of

such release,
2) The client expresses intent to harm him/herself or someone else,
3) There is a reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly
person (60 or older), or a dependent adult, or
4) A court order is received directing the disclosure of information.
It is our policy to assert privileged communication on behalf of the client and the
right to consult with the client if at all possible, except during an emergency, before
mandated disclosure. I will endeavor to apprise clients of all mandated disclosures
as conceivable. In the event of marriage or family counseling, material obtained
from an adult client individually may be shared with the client's spouse or other

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Counseling Department Policies & Procedures
family members only with the client's written permission. Any material obtained
from a minor client may be shared with the client's parent or guardian at the
counselors discretion.

Outside Referrals. School Counselors make referrals when necessary or

appropriate to outside resources for student and/or family support.
Appropriate referrals may necessitate informing both parents/guardians and
students of applicable resources and making proper plans for transitions
with minimal interruption of services. Students retain the right to
discontinue the counseling relationship at any time.