Good day,
A new year always brings new concerns. Given this, I want to remind all parents of our counseling service at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional Catholic School and some of the situations in which counseling can be utilized by parents who have a concern for their child.
1) Behavioral change - this is usually associated with defiance of authority. Counseling can
help children begin learning to understand how defiance only complicates daily living.
Through counseling, the student is encouraged to learn cooperation and to understand how
cooperation enriches their life rather than complicating it.
2) Social skills - School can be a difficult adjustment and it may require some help identifying
new ways to interact with peers to build meaningful friendships. Adjustment to the social
milieu of a school is often understandably difficult, particularly if the student is an only child.
At OLMC the Golden Rule is stressed as a guide in our interactions with others.
3) Change - can be through parent’s divorce, loss of a loved one, a pet, or a friendship
breaking etc. Counseling can help when change disrupts life, aiding a student in passing
through a difficult time and to avoid losing ground in their academic pursuits. Change is also
an opportunity to learn.
4) Academic problems - if concerns are present that a child may have ADD, ADHD -
counseling will begin a process to rule in or to rule out an attention deficit diagnosis. We will
assist with linkage for medication evaluation and work closely with the parents and the
student’s teacher day to day if a diagnosis is given, and a if a medication is begun, to assure it
is both therapeutic and not posing any secondary concerns.
5) Build skills - to attend, to listen, to focus, to stop joking (behavioral management).
Improvement with skills associated with learning can assist with performance in the
classroom.
6) Self Esteem - build confidence.
Referrals can be made by parents, teachers and school administration. Prior to seeing a student, if the referral is internal, I will contact the parent to gain permission and to inform them regarding the concerns present. I will provide regular follow up with parents whose child begins brief counseling. I am also available for consultation if the parent wishes to come in to discuss a matter or to meet me in order to feel comfortable with your decision to allow counseling to begin.
In closing, it has been a very enriching experience working with our wonderful students, their parents, and teachers and aministration. I look forward to the 2019-20 school year and hope to serve your child well if my service is requested. Please feel free to contact me per your convenience, My employment at OLMC is part-time and will be on campus Tuesday mornings and for the full day on Wednesday.
Peace,
Roger Casper, LCPC, LPHA