Counseling
Counseling plays an extensive role in our students day. The counselor plays a very proactive and highly visible within the classrooms/school, this is the effort to establish a safe and trusting environment between the students and the counselor.Choice Theory by William Glasser is the basis of counseling in Spring Run.
This theory states that all we do is behave, that almost all behavior is chosen, and that we are driven by our genes to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun. In practice, the most important need is love and belonging, as closeness and connectedness with the people we care about is a requisite for satisfying all of the needs. Choice Theory (and the Seven Caring Habits) is offered to replace external control psychology (and the Seven Deadly Habits), the present psychology of almost all the people in the world (http://www.wglasser.com).
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Seven Caring Habits
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Criticizing |
Group Counseling; Every student attends a regularly scheduled group counseling every morning five times a week. During this group a variety of topics/situations are discussed. All students have a equal opportunity to explore their feelings and discuss certain issues that they are struggling with. A “team” or “family” attitude is stressed in this group so there is a feeling of mutual support and understanding between the students. This also helps promote safe and caring relationships between the students throughout the school day.
Students will normally initiate a group topic, if there are no suggestions the counselor will initiate. Some topics include; boundries, school problems, anger management/conflict resolution, substance abuse, social skills/social emotional competence, racism, bullying, current events, home/family issues, suicide and other types of violence
Group counseling can also be catered to either a male or female audience when a situation arises.
Individual Counseling; Counseling is an open door policy. Private, individualized counseling is provided when scheduled, on an as needed basis, or when requested by the student. Any student in need of some individualized attention is welcomed at any time to talk to the counselor.
Most individualized counseling is scheduled on a weekly basis. Every student is recognized as unique and their individual talents/strengths are used to promote growth and success. Each counseling session is tailored to the developmental stage of the student. Most sessions address current conflicts and crises as well as issues that stem from the home. Other frequently addressed topics are depression, grief and loss, personal relationships, suicidal thoughts, sexual/coming of age issues.
The open door policy also applies to parents/guardians, they are welcomed to call or stop in to call attention an issue that they feel needs to be addressed/discussed.
Each student in counseling also has an individualized target behavior in need of modification. These target behaviors are defined by the staff involved in that students individualized education plan. Target behaviors can include behavior, attitude, coping mechanisms, hyperactivity, boundaries, anger management.
Some students also have a visual feedback system so they personally can monitor their progress. This system allows the student to see their success. When the target area is met successfully on a monthly basis a reward is issued.
The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) project is a statewide prevention program to reduce children’s vulnerability to verbal, physical and sexual assault. CAP stresses to children and their families that they have rights and provides prevention strategies to the children. With their motto “all children deserve to be safe, strong and free” and their success rate, Spring Run School has decided to introduce the program to our students.
CAP utilizes a three-pronged approach to education: training of staff, parents and children. Strategies include self assertion, peer support and communication/reporting skills. Three major programs are introduced; the child assault prevention program, no more bullies, no more victims, and violence prevention through conflict resolution.