The St. John Vianney School Counseling Program helps each child to reach their God-given potential by teaching skills for social, emotional, and personal growth. The program encourages respect for self and others, good decision making skills, and social/emotional well being. When students are experiencing distress which makes it difficult for them to participate or focus in the classroom, the counselor can help them to work through current concerns and find resources as needed. Counseling and instruction at St. John Vianney is always informed by Catholic teaching and its understanding of the human person.

The St. John Vianney School Counselor holds a certificate in school counseling from the State of Washington and is trained in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. The SJV School Counseling program helps students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development as described in the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success.

What is counseling like?
There are three types of counseling provided in the school setting: individual, group and classroom instruction.

• Individual: Students who are very upset or having a difficult time solving a social problem can visit the counselor to discuss what is wrong. Together they will then find various solutions to help the student get back to doing what all children want to do, learn and play.
• Group: Designed for students to support each other in learning social and emotional skills and through difficult life circumstances, including grief, conflicts and family stresses.
• Classroom instruction: This environment is especially conducive for providing prevention programs that address the needs of all students. Topics covered include social skills, coping skills and problem solving strategies.

How do children come to see the counselor?
There are four ways that prompt student interaction with the school counselor.

• Parent referral:
  You may request that your child visit the counselor by calling or emailing. Some reasons that you might request a meeting are:
  – Your family is going through a difficult life event (for example, a loss, conflict, recent move)
  – Your child is experiencing frequent, recurrent and disruptive emotions (such as anxiety or sadness)
  – Your child is experiencing difficulty forming friendships
• Teacher referral:
  A teacher may refer your child if he or she is:
  – In an agitated state
  – Frequently having difficulty socially or emotionally
  – Regularly exhibiting emotions or behaviors that are keeping him or her from being able to focus on school
• Self referral:
  A student may ask to visit the counselor if he or she is regularly:
  – Feeling very upset and cannot concentrate on school
  – Dealing with a difficult social, behavioral, or emotional concern
  – Worried about a classmate
• Administrative referral:
  The principal may refer you and/or your child to the counselor if they feel that the student is referred to their office due to social/emotional issues that may be better resolved in counseling than through the disciplinary process.