School Counseling Services

Individual counseling - when students are self, teacher, parent, or staff referred (with) parental permission for extended counseling

Group counseling - topics such as study skills, changing families, friendship and social skills, are addressed

Lunch bunches - students invite friends to join them for a supervised lunch in the counselor's office

Classroom guidance - teaching topics which include: bullying prevention, study and test taking skills, stress management, communication skills, peer reversal skills, tolerance, goal setting, career development, etc.

Parent support - which includes parent conferences, referrals, parenting information, and workshops.

Peer mediation - a program whereby student peer mediators assist fellow students to resolve minor conflicts in a confidential setting.

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 caregivers; 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.