Counseling Services

The counseling program is directed by Jenny Orr and is divided into three parts:  education, group counseling and individual counseling.  Within each of these components, there are an array of topics which are covered in various settings.  Examples for services provided in each category are listed below:

Education

Topics are covered in a large group setting over a short period of time.

• Stress
• Time Management
• Drug and Alcohol Use/Abuse
• Skills for Living in a Community
• Communication Skills
• Test Anxiety
• Decision Making Skills
• Friendship Issues
• Life Skills

Group Counseling

Topics are covered in a small setting usually consisting of 6-8 students.  Groups usually meet once a week for 6 weeks.

• Friendship Issues
• Anxiety
• Homesickness
• Relationship Building
• Communication Skills
• Body Image
• Eating Disorders
• Depression
• Family Issues
  

Individual Counseling

Students are seen one-on-one for various issues usually on a weekly basis.  Topics can be anything listed above or any struggles that the student wants to discuss.

Jenny Orr, head of counseling, also works with teachers, administration and parents to foster each student's positive emotional, social, moral and cognitive development, and general well-being.  If there is a concern about a student, a referral form is filled out and she will meet with the student to further examine the issue.

Appointments

Students are always welcome to schedule an appointment with the counselor by coming to her office, filling out an appointment slip, e-mailing her or talking to her in passing.  Appointments occur over one class period preferably a free period or study hall.  She will also be available for early morning appointments, or after school appointments provided she has prior notice.

The counselor will gladly meet with parents if they have concerns about their daughter.  However, due to confidentiality issues, she cannot tell them if I am counseling their daughter or what is being discussed.  She will listen to their concerns and provide help as needed.

Confidentiality

Information that is shared between a student and a counselor is confidential.  This means that, except for specific circumstances, what a student tells the counselor will not be shared with anyone else.  The exceptions in which she may share information with someone else are listed below:

• If a student asks her to tell someone else
• If the counselor thinks that a student is in danger from other people or is a present danger to herself or others
• If a judge orders the counselor to tell others

In certain situations, the counselor may need to speak with other mental health and/or medical professionals concerning a student.  In these instances, the student will be notified first and then the counselor will request that her parent(s) fill out a release form giving her permission to exchange information with such individuals.  She also might request a release form to discuss pertinent facts (not the details) with the Head of School and/or Dean of Students.  The student will be notified and her parent(s) will be asked to fill out a release form for this to occur.

Referrals

If for some reason a student is uncomfortable seeing the Academy counselor needs further aid than the counselor can supply, she will gladly provide names and numbers of other area counselors to the student.  Also, if there are times when she feels that a student would benefit from seeing someone else, she will discuss this with the student and then make a referral.