Mission Statement

As professional school counselors, we are an integral part of the total school program, providing direct support to students, parents, and educational staff to promote a positive school environment.  The primary goal of the school counseling program is to support the success of all students by providing academic, college and career, and personal/social counseling. School counselors help build a foundation for learning while supporting student’s achievement and post-secondary goals.  Student counseling (individual or in small groups), parent and staff consultation, and classroom guidance instruction are interventions used to promote positive adjustment and to assist in maximizing each student’s potential.

Vision Statement

Creating a collaborative culture of global thinkers and learners through a comprehensive and data-driven school counseling program based on the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) model.

Philosophy Statement

As professional school counselors we believe:

• All students can learn and should be given the opportunity to do so.
• Learning involves the whole person and a counseling program will address the academic, emotional, and social needs of students.
• The school counseling program should consider students’ ethnic, racial and special needs.
• The school counseling program should be data driven. Date will be used in assessing the needs and effectiveness of the school counseling program and will drive future program development and evaluation.
• School counselors will abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by ASCA.

The counselors help students through individual, small group, and classroom guidance.

Individual Counseling
Students may meet with the counselor to discuss academic, social, or emotional concerns on a one-on-one basis by referral. We attempt to avoid scheduling students during academic conflicts.

Classroom Guidance 
Classroom guidance is a planned, developmental, program aligned with FCPS, SOL, and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards.  Lessons are designed to foster students' academic, career, and personal/social development. Our classroom guidance lessons focus on a variety of topics, including, bullying, conflict resolution, self concept/personal development, diversity, career development, and  middle school transition to name a few.

Group Counseling
Students meet with peers experiencing similar concerns or academic issues in order to learn effective strategies.  Students are referred by parents or teachers. We attempt to avoid scheduling groups during academic conflicts.  Group topics focus on a variety of topics, including, changing families, military families, friendship, grief, and girl power to name a few.

How Students Can Be Referred to a Counselor

Parent Referral 
Any time during the school year, a parent may contact the school counselor in order to refer his/her child for counseling services. When is it appropriate to contact your child’s School Counselor? When you have concerns about...

• classroom performance
• family changes (moving, death, divorce, or separation)
• home stress
• parenting
• classroom behavior
• sudden change in child's behavior
• peer relations
• etc.

Teacher Referral
Teachers may refer students who have been approved by parents for counseling services, in order to address any concerns that are hindering success in the classroom.

Student Self Referral
Students may ask to see the school counselor at any time to discuss concerns by asking their teachers or stopping by the counseling office. 

School Psychology Services

School psychologists are mental health specialists with knowledge of child development, the psychology of learning, behavior management and intervention, monitoring the progress of students, and program evaluation. School psychologists apply this knowledge using a problem-solving approach to help bring about positive changes in the learning environment, attitude, and motivation. Services offered by the school psychologist may be provided directly to the student or indirectly by working with teachers, parents, and other care givers; however, all services provided by the school psychologist are intended to enhance the academic and social emotional success of students. Minimum requirements to be a school psychologist include a 60-hour master's degree program and a one-year full-time internship; many FCPS school psychologists hold doctoral degrees.

Social Work and Support Services

School social workers focus on family and community factors that influence learning. They provide intensive services for students facing issues that pose risks to their academic success such as parent divorce and separation, poverty, truancy, chronic illness, mental health problems, conduct problems, child abuse, etc.

All FCPS social workers hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Social Science (MSS) degree; many have earned a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) degree. All school social workers are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education. The majority of the staff is clinically licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Social Work (LCSW) or in other jurisdictions and trained to provide mental health services in any setting.

Herston Phillips