Introducing Counseling Services to Students
At the start of each student’s middle school experience, the grade level counseling
team visits all classrooms to introduce themself and explain the support available at
SMS. Students learn about:
• How counseling can help with stress, friendships, problem-solving, or navigating
challenges
• The different ways students can access support (self-referral, teacher referral,
parent request, or counselor check-ins)
• What counseling looks like—brief individual sessions, small groups, or scheduled
check-ins
• Confidentiality and when we may need to involve adults to ensure safety
Our goal is to establish ourselves as approachable, trusted adults and ensure students
know how to seek help responsibly and comfortably.
Types of Counseling
School-based counseling support is delivered in different formats:
• Individual student drop-ins for support on a specific academic or personal concern
• Scheduled group counseling to support specific social concerns
• IEP or 504 mandated counseling sessions
It is important to understand that school-based counseling is not therapy. While all of our
Wellness Team members are trained in therapeutic strategies that they use to support their
work with students, the focus of school-based counseling is on helping students to
emotionally regulate in the moment so they can more effectively participate in their current
academic and social setting. In the instance of IEP counseling, the counseling will be
focused on specific goals determined by the Committee on Special Education.
For students who will be receiving IEP or 504 mandated counseling, their provider will
introduce themselves within the first two weeks of the school year and clarify a meeting
schedule.
How Our Services Progress Throughout the School Year
During the fall, counseling typically focuses on building rapport and helping students adjust to the routines and expectations of middle school. As the year continues, we expand our work to address:
• Emotion regulation and stress management
• Peer conflicts, friendships, and social dynamics
• Organization, motivation, and academic confidence
• Coping with frustration, anxiety, or school-related pressures
• Responsible decision-making and communication skills
While these are skills that students work on in 1:1 and group counseling settings, many of these skills are also delivered through classroom lessons for all students throughout the school year.
Use of DBT Informed-Strategies
Our counseling program incorporates age--Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a well-established approach to helping adolescents manage emotions and make effective choices. DBT informed-skills we teach may include:
• Mindfulness: Staying present, grounding techniques, and managing stress
• Emotion Regulation: Recognizing emotions, coping with strong feelings, and reducing emotional overwhelm
• Distress Tolerance: Safe ways to handle difficult moments without escalating the situation
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Communicating clearly, advocating for needs, and navigating peer relationships
These strategies help students become more resilient, improve self-control, and remain available for learning even when facing challenges.
Our Commitment Counseling services are designed to empower students, support healthy development, and promote a positive school experience. We work collaboratively with teachers and families to ensure students have the skills and support they need to be successful both academically and socially.
If you have questions about counseling services or believe your child may benefit from additional support, please reach out to your identified Wellness Team members on our web page, or school administration.
Thank you for partnering with us to support the well-being of all students at SMS.
Sincerely,
The SMS Student Wellness Team
