• Gateway School Counseling Program

    The School Counseling Program at Gateway School provides classroom counseling lessons, small groups, short-term individual counseling and crisis intervention, as well as consultation for parents and teachers.  The focus of the program is prevention and to foster positive, social, emotional, and academic development for all students.  As a helper in the school, the school counselor advocates for all students to work toward a successful school year.

    Classroom Counseling Lessons

    Classroom guidance lessons focus on developmental needs and may include character education, bully prevention, conflict resolution, school skills, career awareness, and other topics.  The counselor(s) provide lessons to the grade levels throughout the school year.  Lesson objectives are based on the North Carolina Guidance Essential Standards  and the ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors Student Success.

    Small Group Counseling

    Group counseling is offered throughout the school year.  Small groups help students learn coping skills, further develop skills in certain areas, and provide an opportunity to learn from other students.  Groups encourage students to help one another, share ideas, and further develop life skills.  The sessions are interactive and based on the needs of group members.  While the sessions are designed to be beneficial to all students, only a select number of students are invited to participate in groups due to time limitations.  The majority of referrals come through teacher recommendation and grade level needs assessments.  Topics vary depending on student needs but may include: Self-Esteem/Positive Self Expression, Dealing with Family Changes, Anger Management, School Success Skills, or Conflict Resolution.

    ** Parent/Guardian permission is always requested before students may participate in a group**

    Individual Counseling

    Individual counseling is developmental and designed to help students gain a better understanding of themselves or others, define goals, and resolve conflicts.  Students may meet with the counselor upon student request, parent request, teacher referral or counselor invitation.  Students may request to see Ms. Moser here.

    Confidentiality

    Middle school students continue to build on their understanding the value of privacy for themselves, their families, and for others.  Respecting this right to privacy, or confidentiality, is imperative to a successful therapeutic relationship.  It allows students to share their concerns with a trusted adult who will listen non-judgmentally and help them problem-solve in an environment of physical and emotional safety.  

    Information shared by students in the context of counseling will be kept confidential.  However, limitations do exist to maintaining confidentiality as required by law and ethical obligations.  These include:

    • Intent to harm self/others
    • Suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult
    • An appropriate court order is received

    While confidentiality is very important in my role as a counselor, I recognize that parent/guardian and teacher communication is essential to helping students.  While I respect a student's right to privacy, I will ask for a student's permission to speak to a parent/guardian and/or teacher about a situation when I feel there is pertinent information to help us work together as a team to support the child.

    Are Parents Notified About Individual Counseling?

    To build trust with students, I explain to the child that information shared in an individual counseling session is private.  In many cases, I also ask a student for permission to speak to a parent and/or teacher about a situation.  I notify parents about counseling services using my best professional judgment. In most instances, I do not call parents if a meeting with a student was a simple issue that was quickly resolved or an on-going issue of which I have already made contact. A school counselor sees a large number of students for this reason, and it would take a considerable amount of time away from direct student services to call each parent. For counseling aside from simple and easily resolved issues, I frequently call or email parents the same day that a child is seen to inform the parent about the session if I feel that there is important information to help us work together as a team to support the child. 

    **Individual counseling is provided on a short-term basis.  Referrals to outside agencies will be made for on-going issues**

    Parents are always welcome to contact me if they have questions or concerns about their child.