Our Mission

The mission of the St. Helens Middle School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that is accessible to every student. The school counseling programs' efforts will be focused in its partnerships with teachers, administrators, parents and the community to promote the highest level of student achievement in academics, personal/social development and early career exploration. The school counselors will equip each student with the essential skills in their journey to becoming lifelong learners and problem solvers. As counselors, we strive to make our school an inclusive, welcoming community where every student feels safe.

Why Middle School Counselors?

Middle school school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity.

Middle school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe, respectful learning environment whereby young adolescents can maximize personal and academic achievement. Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic, career and social/emotional development. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of their communities and the world.

The professional Middle school counselor holds a masters degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional school counselors align and work with the schools mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. The St. Helens School Counseling program adheres to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Standards in academic, personal/social, and career development as a foundation for our work. 

As school counselors we work and partner with families, teachers, school staff, and community partners to address the needs of our students though the following means:

Classroom Guidance and Individual Student Planning

Academic skills support 
Organizational, study and test-taking skills 
Post-secondary planning and application process 
Career planning 
Coping strategies 
Peer relationships and effective social skills 
Communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution and study skills 
Career awareness and the world of work 
Substance abuse education 
Multicultural/diversity awareness 
Goal setting 
Academic plans 
Problem solving 
Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses 
Transition plans

Responsive Services

Individual and small-group counseling 
Individual/family/school crisis intervention 
Peer Mediation 
Consultation/collaboration 
Referrals 
System Support 
Professional development 
Consultation, collaboration and teaming 
Program management and operation 

-Taken from the ASCA American School Counseling Association Website and supported.