Wellness Counseling
Wellness Counseling at St. Joseph’s Academy meets the needs of students beyond those generally provided in high school. To this end, the St. Joseph’s Academy Counseling Staff includes a Wellness Counselor.
It is important that students know that the Wellness Counselor maintains an "open door" policy, that all conversations are kept confidential (with the exception of sharing information that suggests risk of harm to the student or to another person), that she has a safe place in the school to talk about anything that is troublesome or of concern to her - that she does not have to struggle alone with a difficult time in her life.
The Wellness Counselor at St. Joseph's Academy:
... provides not all, but most of the personal, 1:1 counseling to students in all grade levels. Personal counseling is
a) intended primarily to serve as assessment, then referral to a professional in the community for longer-term counseling on such issues as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and family dysfunction.
b) occasionally occurs on a long-term basis, particularly if the family faces financial constraints that would prohibit private therapy.
c) includes periodic follow-up contact with students previously identified as having wellness needs.
... serves as the crisis intervention person for students who are in acute distress because of presenting concerns that could include, but are not limited to:
a) a student who has just learned that her parents are separating or divorcing
b) a death of a significant family member or friend
c) physical or sexual abuse
... arranges for whole school assemblies twice a year to broaden awareness of wellness issues.
... creates and displays "stalling for wellness" flyers in the student restrooms to educate, to promote action,and/or provide resources for students to encourage healthy living choices.
